Beauty

What beauty means? Recently, the true meaning of beauty is fading away; it becomes vague. Even in my photography class, we were struggling to describe what was beauty today. Majority of mass media drive us to different perspective of beauty. For women, beauty means white skin, long hair, and super skinny (not even curvy) with a short skirt. Advertising today is getting worse compare to years before; most of photo are touched in Photoshop. Nothing real anymore! I have seen many advertising that is only picturing about sensuality and violence, instead of promoting their products. It is not only happening in advertising and magazine field, but also film field. I have read in CNN.com that Fat is The New Ugly on The Playground! How sad! That’s not true my little sweetheart.. Don’t trust them! >_<  

So, what is beauty? According to dictionary.com, beauty is “the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).” In fact, everyone was created different and unique. No one is similar; not even twins siblings who were born from the same womb! Please remember that God created us fearfully and wonderfully.. He knows us very berry well.. :p

“I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are marvelous and my soul knows it very well.” –Psalm139:14 (NKJV)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” –Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV)

There was no one like you before you were born nor in future. You and I are created the one and the only on this Earth :)  So, why we want to be another person? Why we are attracted with theories by the world? Don’t be! Hmm.. So, what is the true meaning of beauty? According to Bible, Beauty is nothing about physical beauty or appearance, but it is an inner beauty or spiritual identity. We were created by His image, and we had been redeemed by His salvation on the cross. If someone gives us million dollars, will we adore that person for a life time? If someone has rescued us from fire or any other accident, will we be thankful to that person? What Jesus did was waaaaayyyyy far than that! He gave Himself for us. He is the King of kings, but He humbles Himself to sacrifice and serve us! Who are we? We are nothing compare to God, but we pretend to know everything like Him. Oh well, I am talking another topic here.. My bad.. -_-“  Let’s back on topic.. hehe.. So, what is beauty in God’s way?

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward

—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart,

with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,

which is very precious in the sight of God.” -1 Peter 3:3-4

First, we should not focus on our outer beauty a.k.a. appearance, and put aside our inner beauty. Just like a saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”, it means what inside the book is more important than its cover. It is similar to us, our pure hearts are more important than clothes we wear; our spiritual beauty is more precious in God’s eyes. Well, it doesn’t mean that we should not care about our appearance—it is still important—but not the most important; spiritual beauty comes first above those things.

 “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature,

because I have refused him.

For the Lord does not see as man sees;

for man looks at the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7

This verse is also supporting 1 Peter 3:3-4. When God commanded Samuel to anoint David to be the king of Israel, He was also reminding Samuel not to see appearance. People see us through our attitude and appearance, but He looks deep inside our heart. What a lovely God! <3

In general, Proverbs 31:10-31 are the summarize verse for women of God. Beauty is well done described on it; what we need to do in order to be a virtuous woman. A beautiful woman that is shaped and molded by the hands of God; it is the true beauty that will never fade away. Be smart ladies! Don’t be influenced with what is happening todays! And be thankful for what we have now because He created us with purpose, no one was born by accident :)   To God be the glory!

Easter

The most important day is coming up. Yes, it is Easter.. Are you planning to go for hunting egg? Or bring your kiddies meet the Easter bunny? Hehe.. Hmm.. I am sorry to say, but Easter is nothing about egg and bunny. Easter is waaaayyyyyy deeper than that. Seriously.. Easter is all about God's salvation on the cross. He gave Himself for us, the sinners.. Sadly, people today are forgetting the true meaning of Easter. When the word Easter heard, the first thing comes in their mind are about Easter bunny and hunting eggs. No..No.. No.. Pleased don't! >_< Please read again on John 3:16..

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Easter is all about His love.. Jesus love.. The true love.. Eternal love.. It is nothing about national holiday, Easter bunny, eggs, and sales in many stores. Personally, Easter is when I celebrate my valentine day with Him. Who is on the Earth will sacrifice for me like Jesus did? Who will love me unconditionally like Jesus does? No one! No one can be compared to Him.. Yes, I do surrounded with people who love me so muchh.. My family, friends, community, and so on.. But, they are still can't be compared to Jesus. :) 

You say that you love rain, but you open your umbrella when it rains. 

You say that you love the sun, but you find a shadow spot when the sun shines. 

You say that you love the wind, but you close your windows when wind blows. 

This is why I am afraid, you say that you love me too. -Bob Marley

What kind of love we find? His love is the only perfect love. He creates us wonderfully (Psalm 139:14), He creates us according to His own image (Genesis 1:27), and He loves us unconditionally.. Are you teary when your loved one gives you surprise? Are you willing to do whatever to make your loved one happy? Let's see what Jesus did for us.. and how long He has been waiting for us?

God's Unconditional Love

You may not know Me, but I know everything about you… (Psalm 139:1)

I know when you sit down and when you rise up… (Psalm 139:2)

I am familiar with all your ways… (Psalm 139:3)

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered… (Matthew 10:29-31)

For you were made in My image… (Genesis 1:27)

In Me you live and move and have your being… (Acts 17:28)

For you are My offspring… (Acts 17:28)

I knew you even before you were conceived... (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

I chose you when I planned creation… (Ephesians 1:11-12)

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book… (Psalm 139:15-16)

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live… (Acts 17:26)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made… (Psalm 139:15-16)

I knit you together in your mother’s womb... (Psalm 139:13)

And brought you forth on the day you were born… (Psalm 71:6)

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know Me… (John 8:41-44)

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love… (1 John 4:16)

And it is My desire to lavish My love on you simply 
because you are My child and I am your Father... (1 John 3:1)

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could… (Matthew 7:11)

For I am the perfect father… (Matthew 5:48)

Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand… (James 1:17)

For I am your Provider and I meet all your needs… (Matthew 6:31-33)

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope… (Jeremiah 29:11)

Because I love you with an everlasting love… (Jeremiah 31:3)

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore… (Psalm 193:17-18)

And I rejoice over you with singing… (Zephaniah 3:17)

I will never stop doing good to you… (Jeremiah 32:40)

For you are My treasured possession…. (Exodus 19:5)

I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul... (Jeremiah 32:41)

And I want to show you great and marvelous things… (Jeremiah 33:3)

If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me… (Deuteronomy 4:29)

Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart… (Psalm 37:4)

For it is I who gave you those desires… (Philippians 2:13)

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine… (Ephesians 3:20)

For I am your greatest encourager… (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles… (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you… (Psalm 34:18)

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart… (Isaiah 40:11)

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes,

 and will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth... (Revelation 21:3-4)

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my Son, Jesus… (John 17:23)

For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed… (John 17:26)

He is the exact representation of My being… (Hebrews 1:3)

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you… (Romans 8:31)

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins… (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled… (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you… (1 John 4:10)

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love... (Romans 8:31-32)

If you receive the gift of my Son Jesus, you receive Me… (1 John 2:23)

And nothing will ever separate you from My love again… (Romans 8:38-39)

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen… (Luke 15:7)

I have always been Father, and will always be Father… (Ephesians 3:14-15)

My question is… Will you be My child?… (John 1:12-13)

I am waiting for you… (Luke 15:11-32)

When you are touched with a poem that your spouse/children/boyfriend/girlfriend gives to you, how can you are not touched with His words? His word is not a poem, it is a promise.. He promises us that He will never leave nor forsaken us. He knew everything about us, and He cares of us. He is not only know our problems, but He is also understand them. When we are crying, He is crying besides us.. Do you feel Him? Do you feel His presence? His comfort? Please stop looking for a love that this world offer to you. If we have Jesus, we are content! No one can make us content.. No one can love us like He does.. No one. When we love someone, we will do whatever to make him/her happy. So, now let's stop looking for Easter bunny n eggs during Easter.. And go back to our True Love who has been waiting for us for a looonnggg time ago.. :p  Happy Easter everyone! May God bless you all :)