Growing up, Catherine Holt always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter… just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage, Catherine wonders when she stopped being “good enough” for her husband.

Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have readied them both to move on to something with more sparks.

As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb’s father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment: “The Love Dare.” Wondering if it’s even worth the effort, Caleb agrees-for his father’s sake more than for his marriage. When Caleb discovers the book’s daily challenges are tied into his parents’ newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened.

While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and again. He finally asks his father, “How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?”

When his father explains that this is the love Christ shows to us, Caleb makes a life-changing commitment to love God. And with God’s help, he begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife.

But is it too late to fireproof his marriage? His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever… rescuing his wife’s heart.
(source: http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/)

********
This is a great movie! I’d recommend it to any young people out there, not to mention married couples. There’s something we can learn from the movie: that your relationship should be based on God’s love and no matter what you should stick to your wedding vows, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in health and in sickness. I was impressed by Caleb’s efforts to win his wife’s heart again and his struggle to stop his addiction to pornography. The idea of 40 day love dare challenge is interesting. For example: The Love Dare Day 1: Love is patient. You have to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It’s better to hold your tongue than to say something you’ll regret. “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19).
Many Christian ministries around the world recommended this movie as well as it brings blessings to couples; to strengthen and repair their marriages. It is true… never leave your partner behind, especially when your relationship is on fire.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1 Corinthians 13:4).

When we don’t get what we expect.

when we plan something, but it turns out that our plans fail.

When we have to face many problems in our daily lives.

When nobody seems to care.

And then we begin to demand to God “WHY?”

What we’re going through is actually a part of God’s plan.

God’s hands are weaving our lives.

During the process it may hurt us.

But it’s just the way to make us tougher.

God is creating a masterpiece of us.

We can be rest-assured

He will never leave us alone in any circumstances, let alone during difficult times.

God never gives us a burden greater than our strength.

Pray to Him. Surrender to Him.

Stay faithful and grateful to Him.

And trust Him. Everything will be beautiful in His time.

Tangan Tuhan

Apa yang kau alami kini mungkin tak dapat engkau mengerti

Satu hal tanamkan di hati indah semua yang Tuhan beri

Tuhanku tak akan memberi ular beracun pada yang minta roti

Cobaan yang engkau alami tak melebihi kekuatanmu

Reff: Tangan Tuhan sedang merenda

suatu karya yang agung mulia

saatnya kan tiba nanti

kau lihat pelangi kasihnya

(singer: Nikita)

Suatu hari besi menantang air berlomba untuk menembus suatu gua dan mengatasi segala rintangan yang ada di sana. Aturannya: “Barang siapa dapat melewati gua itu dengan selamat tanpa terluka maka ia dinyatakan menang.” Besi dan air pun mulai berlomba. Rintangan pertama mereka ialah mereka harus melalui penjaga gua itu yaitu batu-batu yang keras dan tajam. Besi mulai menunjukkan kekuatannya; ia menabrakkan dirinya ke batu-batuan itu. Tetapi karena kekerasannya batu-batuan itu mulai runtuh menyerangnya dan besipun banyak terluka di sana sini karena melawan batu-batuan itu.

Air melakukan tugasnya ia menetes sedikit demi sedikit untuk melawan bebatuan itu. Ia lembut mengikis bebatuan itu sehingga bebatuan lainnya tidak terganggu dan tidak menyadarinya, ia hanya melubangi seperlunya saja untuk lewat tetapi tidak merusak lainnya.

Score air dan besi 1 : 0 untuk rintangan ini. Rintangan kedua mereka ialah mereka harus melalui berbagai celah sempit untuk tiba di dasar gua. Besi merasakan kekuatannya, ia mengubah dirinya menjadi mata bor yang kuat dan ia mulai berputar untuk menembus celah-celah itu. Tetapi celah-celah itu ternyata cukup sulit untuk ditembus, semakin keras ia berputar memang celah itu semakin hancur tetapi iapun juga semakin terluka.

Air dengan santainya merubah dirinya mengikuti bentuk celah-celah itu. Ia mengalir santai dan karena bentuknya yang bisa berubah ia bisa dengan leluasa tanpa terluka mengalir melalui celah-celah itu dan tiba dengan cepat didasar gua. Score air dan besi 2 : 0

Rintangan ketiga ialah mereka harus dapat melewati suatu lembah dan tiba di luar gua besi kesulitan mengatasi rintangan ini, ia tidak tahu harus berbuat apa, akhirnya ia berkata kepada air: “Score kita 2 : 0, aku akan mengakui kehebatanmu jika engkau dapat melalui rintangan terakhir ini !”

Airpun segera menggenang sebenarnya ia pun kesulitan mengatasi rintangan ini, tetapi kemudian ia membiarkan sang matahari membantunya untuk menguap.
Ia terbang dengan ringan menjadi awan, kemudian ia meminta bantuan angin untuk meniupnya kesebarang dan mengembunkannya. Maka air turun sebagai hujan. Air menang telak atas besi dengan score 3 : 0.

Jadikanlah hidupmu seperti air. Ia dapat memperoleh sesuatu dengan kelembutannya tanpa merusak dan mengacaukan karena dengan sedikit demi sedikit ia bergerak tetapi ia dapat menembus bebatuan yang keras. Ingat hati seseorang hanya dapat dibuka dengan kelembutan dan kasih bukan dengan paksaan dan kekerasan.
Kekerasan hanya menimbulkan dendam dan paksaan hanya menimbulkan keinginan untuk membela diri.

Air selalu merubah bentuknya sesuai dengan lingkungannya, ia flexibel dan tidak kaku karena itu ia dapat diterima oleh lingkungannya dan tidak ada yang bertentangan dengan dia.
Ini bukan berarti juga kita tidak punya prinsip sendiri, dan menghindari konflik yang mungkin terjadi, hanya saja kita lebih tenggang rasa dan lembut hati serta menjaga sikap santun terhadap lingkungan.

Air tidak putus asa, Ia tetap mengalir meskipun melalui celah terkecil sekalipun. Ia tidak putus asa. Dan sekalipun air mengalami suatu kemustahilan untuk mengatasi masalahnya, padanya masih dikaruniakan kemampuan untuk merubah diri menjadi uap.

Sumber : IndoForum.org

Lonely
The path you have chosen
A restless road
No turning back
One day you
Will find your light again
Don’t you know
Don’t let go
Be strong

Follow you heart
Let your love lead through the darkness
Back to a place you once knew
I believe, I believe, I believe
In you

Follow your dreams
Be yourself, an angel of kindness
There’s nothing that you can not do
I believe, I believe, I believe
In you.

Tout seul
Tu t’en iras tout seul
Coeur ouvert
A L’univers
Poursuis ta quete
Sans regarder derriére
N’attends pas
Que le jour
Se léve

Suis ton étoile
Va jusqu’ou ton reve t’emporte
Un jour tu le toucheras
Si tu croix si tu croix si tu croix
En toi

Suis ta lumiére
N’eteins pas la flame que tu portes
Au fonds de toi souviens-toi
Que je croix que je croix que je croix
Que je croix
En toi

Someday I’ll find you
Someday you’ll find me too
And when I hold you close
I’ll know that it’s true

Follow your heart
Let your love lead through the darkness
Back to a place you once knew
I believe, I believe, I believe in you

Follow your dreams
Be yourself, an angel of kindness
There’s nothing that you can not do
I believe, I believe, I believe
In you.

Aku mempunyai maksud-maksud besar, Tuhan. Engkau tahu hatiku mempunyai banyak pengharapan dan rencana untuk maksud tersebut. Beberapa telah berlalu dan lainnya masih kunanti dengan sabar dariMu. Tapi belakangan ini aku merasa ada yang berubah dalam hidupku. Suatu saat, mataku tertuju pada cakrawala yang nampak jelas, dan selanjutnya, mataku mengintip sesuatu yang berkabut. Tanpa ijinku, tanpa sepengetahuanku, masa depanku yang sesungguhnya muncul. Engkau mendorong jiwaku untuk terus berjalan.
Terima kasih Tuhan karena membiarkanku bersandar dalam rasa aman rencanaMu, bukan rencanaku. Banyak hal berubah – terkadang dengan sangat cepat sehingga aku hampir kehilangan pijakanku. Tapi saat aku mengambil langkah pertama ke arah yang baru, aku tahu Engkau sedang menopangku tegak dan mengarahkan setiap langkah.
Aku memegang teguh janjiMu ya Tuhan dan tahu bahwa janjiMu akan hidup pada saat mimpiku yang lain mulai pudar.

(One Minute Prayers – Harvest)

Ada waktu di hidupku pencobaan berat menekan
Aku berseru mengapa ya Tuhan
Nyatakan kehendakMu

Jalan Tuhan bukan jalanku
Jangan bimbang ataupun ragu
Nantikan Tuhan jadikan semua
Indah pada waktunya

Pada Tuhan masa depanku
Pada Tuhan kuserahkan hidupku
Nantikan Tuhan berkarya
Indah pada waktunya

Hari esok tiada kutahu
Namun tetap langkahku maju
Kuyakin Tuhan jadikan semua
Indah pada waktunya.

['Jalan Tuhan' by Willy Soemantri (music)/Herry Priyonggo (lyrics)]

Dearest God,

I really don’t know what’s your plan towards my life. But I feel that you love me so much…. you give me loving family and friends, promising career and education… I’m already happy with all your blessings… but then you let me know him. I’ve been learning many things from him… he has opened my eyes to the things I was not awared of… but most of all he makes me love you even more! With him I feel that I can become a better person. Thank you Lord for sending me such a special friend. Please bless our relationship. I know that not my will, but Your will be done… therefore I’ll patiently wait for Your time and meanwhile preparing myself to be a godly woman for my special one. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

mereka bilang aku pemilih dan kesepian
terlalu keras menjalani hidup
beribu nasehat dan petuah yang diberikan
berharap hidupku bahagia

aku baik baik saja
menikmati hidup yang aku punya
hidupku sangat sempurna
I’m single and very happy
mengejar mimpi mimpi indah
bebas lakukan yang aku suka
berteman dengan siapa saja
I’m single and very happy

mereka bilang sudah saatnya karena usia
untuk mencari sang kekasih hati
tapi kuyakin akan datang pasangan jiwaku
pada waktu dan cara yang indah

***
Dearest Mom & Dad,

you’d say I’m choosy and lonely
working too hard, living a dull life
and you’d then give me thousands of advices
wishing me to live a happy life

Yeah, I know your concerns
but I’m all right
I’m enjoying my life
my life is just perfect

I’m single and very happy
pursuing my dreams
I’m free to do whatever I like
hanging out and making friends with anybody

You’d say it’s the time to find a sweetheart
because of the age
but it’s only a matter of time
and I’m sure my soulmate will come
in God’s beautiful and perfect time

Time flies and I cannot stop it
I just wanna the best for my life
So, Mom, Dad, please don’t worry
I live my life to the fullest!

with love, your daughter

Proverbs 3:6
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

God Will Make A Way
~ Words and music by Don Moen ~

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today.

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”

The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”

(Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson)