Blessings

God is so very good. It hurt for me to tithe, to give 10% of my earnings but I did it anyway. You know what, God blessed me 3 times as much as I tithed! I sold a hand-knit scarf, got extra work and received gift money; all in the very same week. Praise God! I had no way of knowing how God was going to bless me. I just knew that I should give.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8a  

©2011 Uyen Tran

Praise God

I prayed at supper this evening for more work and after I finished my dinner, I received a text from a client asking me if I was available for a week of pet sitting. Praise God Almighty.

I have another praise. God gave me financial blessings when it looked like I wouldn't have enough money to go visit my family for Thanksgiving. He used my former mother in law to bless me. She gave me a check for taking care of her dogs when she hurt her legs and couldn't move. I wasn't expecting payment. Jesus keeps surprising me. I love being close to God. He loves us so very much!

Hawaii

Oh, how I miss this place and hope to visit again. It was an awesome time visiting my brother for his wedding day. It was so wonderful to see all of my siblings and to meet my sister in law. It has been 9 years since the five of us have been together. Hawaii, Hawaii when will I see you again? God only knows.

Loving God

My three friends took the time to edit and critique a story I wrote. I feel so thankful and blessed. These ladies love God and it shows.

I asked a friend to go to church with me tomorrow and he said no. A little later I asked him again and he said yes. I am so happy.

Wilson College Walk

A friend and I went for a walk to the Equestrian Center at Wilson College. It was so beautiful this afternoon. We could feel the nice breeze. I love the cool weather! I took pictures of the horses and my friend. I love my hobby of taking pictures. God, thank you for another wonderful day!

An Autumn Afternoon

I went out to lunch with a couple of friends and then after lunch, we walked in the woods at Caledonia State Park. It was a beautiful, crisp autumn afternoon. Thank you God for your beauty and for life.

Psalm 32:7

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. "

I praise God for answered prayer this afternoon. We prayed for me to not get a big bill when I took my car to Expert Tire for an inspection and an oil change. Thank you Lord for giving me a small bill, one that I could afford to pay. Thank you for taking care of us, Father God. 

The Best Gift

At the church service last evening, the pastor said she was going to play Oprah. She was going to give each of us a brand new car or give us each 1 million dollars. The pastor also said that although those material things are nice to have, the best gift of all is the presence of God.

Safe Travels

God gave us safety when we drove to Lancaster, PA to Sight and Sound Theatre to watch Joseph. It was an awesome musical. My two friends and I had a great time. I could feel God's presence shine upon us on Tuesday.

Yesterday, my friends and I went to Lewisburg, PA for lunch and Christmas shopping. That was fun too.

Today, I went to the House of Grace for toll painting. I enjoyed the music and bible lesson in Spiritual Growth class.

Writing Desires

I would like to put together the writings in my journals and make it into a memoir. I hope I will have the ambition to do this. I wish I would take the time to write some short stories and children's stories. I pray that the Lord will help me write what he wants me to share with others.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious in anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

God is Good

I love the Lord more each day. I enjoy learning about Jesus. I can see the things he is doing in my life and those around me. God is so good. He is good all the time.

Delight Yourself

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

God did a wonderful thing for me today. I settled an account with a creditor this morning. Instead of paying all of the bill, they wanted 2 payments at 40% off. I called them and I made a deal to pay it all at once. They gave me over 50% off. God is so wonderful! I hope you have as good a day as I'm having or better.

Church

Yay, I made it to church today. I hope I will make it to church next week and the week after. I would like to become a member of the church. I pray that the Lord will help me go to all the membership classes.

Submit to Him

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I kind of lead a crooked life in the past. Jesus made my life better because I turned to Him. I spend time with him by reading scripture, doing daily devotions, by praying and worshipping him in song. Now my goal is to go to church every Sunday this month. I have been struggling with going to church regularly. Do  you think I can? I think I can.

God Beside Me

Last night, it was after 1am, almost 2.....I could feel another sleepless night coming. I prayed and felt as if the Lord was right beside me. The Holy Spirit told me to take my sleep medicine. Within an hour, I fell alseep. I slept well all night and even woke up when I wanted to in the morning, without the alarm. Thank you Father God!

the Hope

I learned in church tonight a secret mystery, this little prayer: Christ in me, the Hope of all future things to come.

God's Phone Number

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

My aunt calls Jeremiah 33:3 "God's phone number." God answered prayer again and I know clearly it was God. My MRI results: no change on the size of the pituitary tumor. Thank you God.

God's Masterpiece

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Wow, we are each "God's masterpiece." Amazing and too wonderful for me to fathom. We are like great works of art and God is the most famous artist of all artists. It is hard for me to understand that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. Now I can live to do good things for Him. When I do good things for him, God helps me to forget my sinful past.

Amazing

At church this evening,  I asked the Lord to keep me from feeling self conscious when praising him in song. I often do not feel comfortable singing in church. God is so amazing. While I was singing, I felt as if God placed me in a bubble. I sang with ease and I didn't worry if anyone didn't like my singing.

Hope and a Future

"For I know the plans I  have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Wow!

"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down. I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."    
John 21:25
                                               

Our Inheritance

I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" Lamentations 3:24

When my parents died, I did not receive an inheritance. Even though I do not have a lot of money in this life, I have learned that Jesus is my inheritance. The Lord owns everything and made everyone. I am reassured that when we go to heaven, there will be mansions and streets of gold. Everything will be perfect. I want to go there.

Answered Prayer

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7


Dear Father God,
Thank you for answered prayer and giving me sleep last night. I feel so much better today. Thank you for the sunshine and this new day. I love you and want to serve you. Please help me to be an encouragement and blessing to others. In Jesus' Powerful Name, Amen.

A Blessing and an Encouragement

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Right now, I am trying to block the things that are preventing me from delighting in the Lord, the giver of life. I am not a happy camper because I have not slept well in 5 days. If you have sleep problems or have experienced a restless night, you might be able to empathize. I am not feeling well so I will keep this short. I hope this blog will be a blessing, an encouragement and a help.