tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41952109729688257232024-02-23T01:52:06.932+07:00Timeless in Temporariesmy world of memories, reasons, and dreams. my muse of beauty, goodness and truth. my sense of legacy, identity, and destiny. my quest to find the timeless in the temporaries.nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-43153281447742395012020-06-22T12:04:00.000+07:002020-06-22T12:04:13.727+07:00The Past, The Influence, The Future<div style="line-height: 1;"><span style="line-height: 1;"><em style="line-height: 1;"><br /></em></span></div><span style="line-height: 1;"><em style="line-height: 1;"><div style="line-height: 1;"><span style="line-height: 1;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAx8mJxyqi_TNTiTPTWAWHg5eJpAfmdtjJeBmmWEULbNItpNzEz5RybFGNKcTX5nXcR1PX2gaaNw16tq_Ay0MgsA5Sgm0sJocYfIqoZaxaxvV9zKRNP21_6OGnQAf9YgaE4wycZ4vjOEx/s1812/DSC_3534+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 1; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1812" data-original-width="1668" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAx8mJxyqi_TNTiTPTWAWHg5eJpAfmdtjJeBmmWEULbNItpNzEz5RybFGNKcTX5nXcR1PX2gaaNw16tq_Ay0MgsA5Sgm0sJocYfIqoZaxaxvV9zKRNP21_6OGnQAf9YgaE4wycZ4vjOEx/w720-h781/DSC_3534+copy.jpg" width="720" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1; text-align: center;"><em style="line-height: 1;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1; text-align: center;"><em style="line-height: 1;">"We can see the past but not influence it, we can influence the future but not see it"</em> </div></span></div></em></span><p style="line-height: 1; text-align: center;"><font style="line-height: 1;">- Stewart Brand</font></p>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-85191306717084683122009-07-18T22:35:00.008+07:002009-07-18T23:24:46.062+07:00First Birthday Note from Papa (Part Two): The Story Behind the Name<span style="font-size:130%;"><em> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359830917555119570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 335px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfGNmTTF1NBn2wtnqrzO0W9OhRaiUvoXArnON4_yR3vuTQVHnXPPx5HnkxnF2vqfg-fnyOz1hoLF0pMAb-sEqqK3oPR8_9kkFqvCh2oi6Nn9iB4M51DsqhiQnKmHFscf6rSFzZFZR8VU9/s320/IMG_1978+copy.jpg" border="0" /> "Always end the name of your child with a vowel, so that when you yell the name will carry.” -- </em>Bill Cosby<br /><br />Nindita, Papa hope you would like the name we gave to you. Papa and Mama had prayed and taken so much consideration because it would be our wish and prayer for your future. Since the beginning, Papa and Mama had agreed to give you Indonesian name, Javanese in particular. Your Papa is pure Javanese and Mama is Chinese Indonesian who is fond of Indonesian culture, especially batik. By the way, your Mama prayed fervently during her pregnancy that your complexion would be like hers instead of Papa’s and God answered her faith. Papa did not mind at all. You will understand why later on.<br /><br />Mama agreed instantly when Papa offered the name Nindita, an old Javanese word meaning excellent. Actually Papa loved Anindita better, a variant of Nindita, but oh well. Papa is the head, your Mama is the neck. Anyway, we loved to think that every time we called or yelled your name, we actually called forth your destiny that you were born to be an excellent person, not because your ended-with-vowel- name will carry our yelling.<br /><br />For the middle name, we had quite long arguments, until Papa won and Mama yielded her favorite Catherine for Erin. Papa fell in love with the name Erin after watching <em>Erin Brockovich</em>, starring Julia Roberts who won Academy Awards for Best Actress in this film. You must watch this movie when you grow up. At the moment, Papa did not know the meaning of Erin, it just sounded good to Papa’s ears. And thank God for Larry Page and Sergey Brin for inventing Google. Papa found out that Erin was the ancient Irish name for Ireland, meaning peace. Papa and Mama believed that you would become a blessed peacemaker for those in need one day. Yes, it’s not Indonesian name but at least it is very easy-to-pronounce for Indonesians.<br /><br />Since both Papa and Mama only had first name, no last name and definitely no middle name, we wanted to make a family name for you and if God willed it for your future siblings as well. Pradipta meant shining light. It was chosen because it represented the meaning of your parents’ names which had quite similar implication. Papa’s name meant light and Mama’s meant sun. Papa and Mama would love to witness the light which God lighted in you on the day you were born to shine brighter and brighter until the perfect day.<br /><br />And so my beloved daughter, your name signifies Papa and Mama’s hope for your future. We will always pray that you would become an excellent and peaceful light to the world. Your light would not be dazzling or hurting, but peaceful and excellent. Nindita, let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven, Amen.</span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-18202587627884446472009-07-15T21:14:00.002+07:002020-06-22T11:40:07.074+07:00Song for Nindi<span style="font-size: 130%;"><strong><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaJvPNHBVb9kDv1MxPZ0i7icbS6MUy0F7iTt8SrhRfBrubzNl5ASJjzsRGfyyAjtUCULbHC6Y_svNy9r-aIah0yoW9DkNrM4zy-wlimOYfcDyYnUeHq14LFqvSHtiGhBip5avKt5YMedV/s4272/IMG_6403.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaJvPNHBVb9kDv1MxPZ0i7icbS6MUy0F7iTt8SrhRfBrubzNl5ASJjzsRGfyyAjtUCULbHC6Y_svNy9r-aIah0yoW9DkNrM4zy-wlimOYfcDyYnUeHq14LFqvSHtiGhBip5avKt5YMedV/w666-h1000/IMG_6403.JPG" width="666" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>THE FATHER'S PRAYER</strong></span> <div><em>Music and lyrics by Papa</em> </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Biar terangmu bercahaya </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Let your light shine </em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Di hadapan manusia </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Before men) </em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Dengan perbuatan baik </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Through good deeds </em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Yang memuliakan Tuhan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>That will glorify God</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Hiduplah dalam ketaatan </span></div><div><em style="font-size: 130%;">Live a life of obedience</em></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Dan takut akan Tuhan </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>And the fear of the Lord</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Itulah awal hikmat dan pengetahuan </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>For it is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">
Chorus: </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Dan kau ‘kan genapi panggilan ilahi </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>And you will fulfill the divine calling</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em><br /></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Tuk berkati dunia ini </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>To bless this world</em> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Dan hidupmu akan diikuti dengan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>And your life will be followed with</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Kebajikan kemurahan </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Goodness and mercy</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em> </em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Asal Nindi setia </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>As Nindi is faithful </em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Hidup di jalan-Nya </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>To live in His ways </em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">
Bridge: </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Jadilah kuat dan berani </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Be strong and courageous</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em> </em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Hadapi ujian hidup ini</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>To face the life’s trials</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em><br /></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">S’bab tangan Dia yang Maha Tinggi </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>For the hands of the Most High</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em><br /></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Berjanji menyertai </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Have promised to be with you</em></span><div align="left"><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Surabaya, July 15th , 2009</div></div>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-28747345432939898742009-07-15T01:53:00.004+07:002009-07-16T05:59:41.282+07:00First Birthday Note from Papa (Part One)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmmf_nhrwOjOl7OCar05wUbSiOsriwoFZ728urQFeF8mo8CCHWGfKab1w-CUBSHj4KGNxE8fHghK2hrlPFnf_92paifzNQqr3QXwffybT5fFEim6XbB7vKE3npzSvrooGI3IUDN4P3cXX/s1600-h/1st+smile-(8+hours+old).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358391895559245330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmmf_nhrwOjOl7OCar05wUbSiOsriwoFZ728urQFeF8mo8CCHWGfKab1w-CUBSHj4KGNxE8fHghK2hrlPFnf_92paifzNQqr3QXwffybT5fFEim6XbB7vKE3npzSvrooGI3IUDN4P3cXX/s320/1st+smile-(8+hours+old).JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Nindita, Papa knows that there’s no way you can understand or appreciate this now, but one day you will, one day when you are able to read and to fathom. </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em><br /></em>You were born at 5.30 a.m. on this day, a year ago. Your birth was not easy, even though many people said it was quite fast for first delivery. Your Mama was such a hard worker. The day before, she woke up early to attend staff morning prayer and still carried on her work at the office until afternoon when she found out that there was already a fleck. From the office we took hours driving to the airport to pick up grandma from Palembang. When we got home Mama did not take a rest at all. She was busy unpacking and making sure all things were in place. Unlike Papa, Mama couldn't stand messiness.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Mama’s first contraction was at 9.30 p.m. She was in pain every time it came. Papa brought Mama to Siloam Hospital at around 1 a.m. after the contractions became regular in every five minutes. Papa could not tell you too many details, but that four and a half hours period was one of the scariest moments in Papa’s life. Papa knew that anything could happen during the labor and delivery and Papa had to fight the thoughts of all worst possibilities. But Papa should stay strong for Mama and you. Papa held Mama’s hand tightly and encouraged her with all positive words available on Papa’s mind. I tell you, your Mama was a good fighter. She was able to manage her pain and followed the instructions from the doctor well. She barely cried during the labor knowing that crying would only drain her energy. After more than four hours fighting, Mama did not have any strength left to push you out. Remember, Mama did not sleep for almost twenty four hours. And the doctor decided that you had to be delivered by ventouse or vacuum pump. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Papa did not know how to explain the feeling when Papa saw you for the very first time. You looked so tiny and weak, 3.45 kilograms and 51 centimeters. At first you were held upside down by the doctor, and after he tapped your back, you began to make your first sound. Your cry wasn't too loud , but it was more than enough for Papa and Mama. Papa kissed Mama and thanked her for hours of hardship in delivering you. Welcome to the world our beloved daughter, Nindita Erin Pradipta.</span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-91891608393227676502009-06-04T20:48:00.002+07:002009-06-04T21:07:34.135+07:00On This Day, Three Years Ago<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fa2f0O4CP0QpGCyBWgw79iG66ke9zrdbrFsMm2li11yJatmKTOSTPRiLqJjo2fryaPsqjaAk0oh6WPSDTMY6npOyyWO7ew4SrwZKFKefYHSlgAILfnA92TNFrM-h3neOU9T_SIPO4tTP/s1600-h/3yearsAgo_1+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343472923346461522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fa2f0O4CP0QpGCyBWgw79iG66ke9zrdbrFsMm2li11yJatmKTOSTPRiLqJjo2fryaPsqjaAk0oh6WPSDTMY6npOyyWO7ew4SrwZKFKefYHSlgAILfnA92TNFrM-h3neOU9T_SIPO4tTP/s400/3yearsAgo_1+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Find more pictures in my facebook :)</div>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-31843155610239364442009-03-28T14:51:00.018+07:002009-04-01T18:11:56.302+07:00Welcoming The Next Step<em><span style="font-size:130%;">I thought there were only two good things I found in Aceh: fine coffee, which you can find almost everywhere, and stunning beaches. I was wrong.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318150485915703698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 415px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqs4a3v6xN8jaHjkX1HDFQvDGbiW_4XYoaJBgvAE0kA-QH6GyXVBazgoTvE-jUES5x6Cpr9VDqZTo2L1yK9oSSTC_PfVcy6UAWRfV2ndMo7lhLuOEWsMOvV-EKoFye3WZEbJ0bdYWYWRx/s400/P1010126+copy.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;">I had moved for good to this tsunami-stricken area for almost two months and it was one month to go to the opening of the school. The climate was extremely hot and humid. The tap water was brownish and putrid. The electricity was on and off, with the emphasis on the ‘off’. The groceries were mostly overpriced. The spiritual atmosphere was oppressive. The neighborhood was suspicious. The paper work was bureaucratically intricate. The government curriculum was convoluted. The prospective teachers and parents were so demanding. However all of them were nothing compared to the waiting for conviction of someone worth waiting for. It was simply agonizing. I knew I had to stay focused. My personal life should not hinder the mission. But it was one of many things in life that is easy to say and hard to do.<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">One scorching afternoon, my mind was wandering somewhere when I was startled by my cell phone’s alarm. I was in the middle of doing the finishing touch of the painting of the school’s revised name due to the objection of some people. It was a short message from her. She told me that finally she got the conviction. She was willing to live in Aceh and by faith believed that all things would work together for good for those who love Him. I did not know what to say. It’s a strange feeling how I was being moved from agony to joy. The transition was just way too fast to notice. My waiting time had ended and the next step to our marriage has officially started. And as usual, the world looks better and the pressure of life is suddenly lighter for someone in love.<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I have to admit that this happy feeling of mine had partly contributed to sustain me in the midst of the hardships. One after another, the challenges were taken care of and despite of the opposition and challenges, Sinar Mulia was successfully launched on July 17, 2005 with around 30 students enrolled at kindergarten level. </span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-57686972557501813892009-03-25T06:27:00.006+07:002020-06-22T12:17:48.990+07:00Philoxenia<div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVokF3UyaxZxbRmUMvbA9L9oYTVRdtuyzb2uPcjNN90RF-OM9k0_e1k8yEXjPtI2BVWO64YOJtwLIPWuIi0x1MnH_EXAxO3xJRi2iMwXy7G9k45UwJSc0dp_aTSnM3LtykkqpuNkhmpCTj/s2592/DSC_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVokF3UyaxZxbRmUMvbA9L9oYTVRdtuyzb2uPcjNN90RF-OM9k0_e1k8yEXjPtI2BVWO64YOJtwLIPWuIi0x1MnH_EXAxO3xJRi2iMwXy7G9k45UwJSc0dp_aTSnM3LtykkqpuNkhmpCTj/w300-h400/DSC_0800.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>”...malah orang asing pun tidak pernah bermalam di luar, pintuku kubuka bagi musafir!”</em> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4195210972968825723#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span style="font-size: 130%;">[i]</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">
Salah satu ciri penting Kekristenan yang sekarang mulai pudar akibat gerusan modernitas adalah <em>philoxenia</em> atau ”kasih kepada orang asing”. Di Alkitab Bahasa Indonesia, kata Gerika ini diterjemahkan sebagai “memberi tumpangan”</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4195210972968825723#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span style="font-size: 130%;">[ii]</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">, sedangkan di kebanyakan Alkitab Bahasa Inggris diterjemahkan dengan <em>hospitality</em>. Selain ditulis, dikisahkan dan dianjurkan dengan gamblang di Alkitab, <em>philoxenia</em> juga adalah tradisi yang berakar jauh di dalam budaya Semitik, dimana adalah wajib hukumnya bagi sebuah rumah untuk menjamu dan memberikan tumpangan kepada orang asing yang di dalam perjalanannya mengharuskannya untuk mencari tempat bermalam.
Ada beberapa alasan yang melatarbelakangi mengapa orang-orang percaya cenderung menjadi kurang <em>hospitable</em> terhadap orang asing. Alasan <em>pertama</em> adalah karena manusia belum bisa mengalahkan tabiat dosa yang selalu mementingkan diri sendiri dan tidak mempedulikan orang lain. Saat melihat orang asing yang memerlukan sambutan atau bantuan, mereka cenderung mulai berhitung dan hasil kalkulasinyapun pasti bisa ditebak: membantu orang asing tidak membawa keuntungan apa-apa, bahkan justru membawa kerugian. Alasan <em>kedua</em> bersumber dari prasangka sosial. Banyaknya kasus penipuan dan kejahatan dengan berkedok kemiskinan menimbulkan trauma akan pengalaman “diberi hati, mengambil ampela” di dalam membantu orang yang tidak dikenal, belum lagi jika diperkeruh dengan isu primordial. Alasan <em>ketiga</em> adalah perasaan aman dan nyaman yang berlebihan di dalam komunitas orang percaya. Keamanan dan kenyamanan yang demikian menyebabkan kecanggungan di dalam menghadapi orang baru yang “bertamu” ke dalam kelompok mereka. Tanpa disadari dan dimaksudkan, mereka menganggap orang asing tersebut sebagai pengganggu keasyikan berkomunitas mereka. Jika ketiga alasan tersebut terus dipelihara, maka alih-alih menjadi <em>philoxenia</em>, seorang percaya bisa berubah total dan menjadi <em>xenophobia</em> (takut kepada orang asing).
Apapun alasan atau pembenarannya, orang percaya harus menetapkan hati untuk menjadi pribadi yang bersedia memperhatikan dan membantu orang yang tidak dikenal. Ketakutan bukanlah dari Tuhan.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4195210972968825723#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span style="font-size: 130%;">[iii]</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> Beranilah untuk meminta hikmat dari atas serta nasihat dari sesama jika Anda ragu di dalam memperlakukan orang asing, karena siapa tahu di Sorga nanti Tuhan dengan tersenyum akan menghampiri Anda seraya berkata <em>“Ketika Aku seorang asing, kamu memberi Aku tumpangan...”</em></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4195210972968825723#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span style="font-size: 130%;">[iv]</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">
______________________
</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4195210972968825723#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title="">[i]</a> Ayub 31:32
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4195210972968825723#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title="">[ii]</a> Roma 12:13; 1 Petrus 4:9
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4195210972968825723#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title="">[iii]</a> 2 Timotius 1:7
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4195210972968825723#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title="">[iv]</a> Matius 25:35</div>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-75290209628482379022009-03-06T09:53:00.001+07:002009-03-06T09:56:46.697+07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vHPYnehCptefqogM3m-9a6eoMubWOhi8E_9C1rgbMTApzEDaI04K72X5DH_HyXJENiAfB1isTmA2z1hw4z8YvUY4iHqJ3NpW37Hp2Q5vMdQe5zeHYAT2Qd7aFnv_6ElnWM31THVVB9kq/s1600-h/Thira_Santorini.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309902698422815474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vHPYnehCptefqogM3m-9a6eoMubWOhi8E_9C1rgbMTApzEDaI04K72X5DH_HyXJENiAfB1isTmA2z1hw4z8YvUY4iHqJ3NpW37Hp2Q5vMdQe5zeHYAT2Qd7aFnv_6ElnWM31THVVB9kq/s320/Thira_Santorini.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">Santorini, Greece</span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-67809851445934564392009-03-04T17:33:00.003+07:002020-06-22T12:27:07.971+07:00In Waiting for Conviction of Someone Worth Waiting For<span><em><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikELajHsNsOaINwcx2EenHrOC2Kufun7LZRVMa4cncutQW3Utilv6NmIFJ1uDTmWX4S2elBu_pLi8TKDkCg7QkofRpHwyhOolAvgxEGXk8P8Zxr1JiEfC_K1K3MEfdSsHrkP-AGDCAr5Pc/s2048/DSC00029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="729" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikELajHsNsOaINwcx2EenHrOC2Kufun7LZRVMa4cncutQW3Utilv6NmIFJ1uDTmWX4S2elBu_pLi8TKDkCg7QkofRpHwyhOolAvgxEGXk8P8Zxr1JiEfC_K1K3MEfdSsHrkP-AGDCAr5Pc/w976-h729/DSC00029.JPG" width="976" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <i><font size="2">Pantai Lhoknga, Aceh<br /><br /></font></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 130%;">My mouth said, “Take your time to pray.” My hearts begged, “Please, not too long.” </span></em></span>
<span style="font-size: 130%;">
In the meantime, she started to ask counsels from her authorities regarding our situation. Apparently, Ibu Wanti told her to get to know me during this time of prayer since Yuyun barely knew me, and vice versa. And so we had a number of dinners and exchanged information about our backgrounds, love stories, hobbies, favorite foods, vision and dreams. </span>
<span style="font-size: 130%;">
Eventually in one of those dinners I heard the most beautiful sound in my life. She was blushing when she said that there was a growing affection in her heart towards me. But before I even had enough time to enjoy the good feeling inside, she immediately told me not to be too happy first because she still could not decide anything yet. Her concern about her father and the approval from her family were the two biggest things to be prayed for. I completely understood that what I was doing back then was not one of the most popular professions in the eyes of son-in-law seekers. She told me that she needed only one thing to settle this case: <em>conviction</em>. She told me she would not have any problem to marry me, live in Aceh or wherever and to face all odds if she already had it.
I learned in life there is no easy and cheap way to gain something precious. And she was not ordinary.
<em>“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.” </em><span style="font-size: 100%;">-- Henry Van Dyke</span> </span>
nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-57858900142344715562009-02-28T05:57:00.006+07:002009-02-28T06:49:23.145+07:00A Song for a King<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>SEUMUR HIDUPKU</strong></span><br /><em>Music and Lyrics by Nurhayatna</em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Siapa yang bisa menebus dosa<br />Siapa yang sanggup pulihkan hidup<br />Selain Engkau Tuhan, hanya Kau...<br /><br />Siapa yang setia kala ku tak setia<br />Siapa yang b’rikan ku pengharapan<br />Selain Engkau Tuhan, hanya Kau...<br /><br />Dan kumau naikkan korban syukurku<br />Dan tinggikan nama-Mu<br /><br />Seumur hidupku, Engkaulah Rajaku<br />Seumur hidupku, setia kepada-Mu<br />Seumur hidupku, Engkaulah Tuhanku<br />Seumur hidupku, ikuti jalan-Mu<br />Seumur hidupku, kumengasihi-Mu<br />Seumur hidupku...</span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-26985498213984575752009-02-21T20:32:00.002+07:002009-02-21T21:00:06.262+07:00Flowery Love<span style="font-size:130%;"><em>“Love is the only flower that grows and blossoms without the aid of the seasons.”</em> </span>-- Kahlil Gibrannurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-86626235388739725692009-02-21T20:19:00.005+07:002009-02-22T06:00:51.363+07:00O Deus, Ego Amo Te (My God I Love Thee)Latin hymn, attributed to St. Francis Xavier. Tr. Edward Caswall (1506–1552)<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>My God, I love thee: not because<br />I hope for heaven thereby,<br />Nor because they who love thee not<br />Must burn eternally.<br /><br />Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me<br />Upon the Cross embrace;<br />For me didst bear the nails and spear,<br />And manifold disgrace.<br /><br />And grief and torments numberless,<br />And sweat of agony;<br />Yea, death itself; and all for me<br />Who was thine enemy.<br /><br />Then why, O Blessed Jesus Christ,<br />Should I not love thee well?<br />Not for the hope of winning heaven,<br />Nor of escaping hell;<br /><br />Not with the hope of gaining aught,<br />Not seeking a reward;<br />But as thyself hast loved me,<br />O ever-loving Lord!<br /><br />E’en so I love thee and will love,<br />And in thy praise will sing,<br />Solely because thou art my God,<br />And my eternal King. </em></span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-47207015010605666622009-02-20T23:23:00.011+07:002009-02-24T06:14:44.877+07:00First Love (1989)<span style="font-size:130%;"><em>I just got my freedom as a freshman in my dream city, leaving my parents’ house behind. I wanted to enjoy all that the world could offer. But somehow He captured me before I had gone too far, in that morning.</em><br /><br />Jogja, August 31th, 1989, 8 a.m. I was alone in my room. My class was in the afternoon, my roommate had left already. My body was aching and the battle in my soul was raging. For many days I had been tossed back and forth. I was the prize to be won by two forces: the longing for God and the craving for the world. I was exhausted spiritually and physically.<br /><br />Two weeks prior to that day I was led to pray a repentance prayer. They were so excited and told me that I had been born again, but I did not feel anything. They exclaimed I was a new creation, but I saw myself still the same person. In every meeting afterwards, I envied those handful students who were so intimate with God in their worship. I felt like an outsider in the house of my Father. They taught me to pray and read the Bible every day to build my relationship with God. But how could I build something that I had not yet started? And I got even more frustrated as the flesh relentlessly invited me to satisfy its desire. Deep in my heart I knew I had to be close to God and live a righteous life but the other half of me strongly demanded the pleasure of the youth.<br /><br />That morning I felt like I could not bear this soul’s conflict anymore. I fell on my knees and broke into tears as I cried out, <em>“God, where are you? If you exist, show Yourself and help me...”</em> I was so desperate until He came. He embraced me gently from behind and whispered, <em>“I love you.”</em> That single moment of truth was more than enough for me. All of a sudden the struggle disappeared. God had won. His love never fails. My heart was overwhelmed by His lovingkindness and I made a vow: from that day on, I would always love Him and never leave Him for the rest of my days. A vow that I have been keeping dearly until today.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Credit:</strong> Silvy Wantania, Eriel Siregar, Izaak Wondiwoy, Jimmy Kalauserang and all GPMI Jogjakarta Batch 1989.<br /></span></span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-23382839852671996272009-02-16T21:32:00.010+07:002009-02-21T00:02:05.446+07:00Covenant Community<span style="font-size:130%;">I thanked God for Meike and Agus, a great couple friend of mine in Jakarta. I thanked God for my pastors, especially Pastor Jahja and Pastor Benny. They were my safety net, my covenant community. I did not include my parents because they had given me full authority to choose the one for me years before. I remember my father once said, <em>“Son, remember, time is ticking and you’re over thirty already. Just take a wife, you know, like your mom buys spinach in the market. Choose, bargain, pay. That easy. Don’t think too long. Just make sure one thing.... the person is a female...”</em> My dad loves jokes by the way. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />To be honest, I still had trauma to start a new relationship. I was quite hesitant whether I would just wait or go to the next step. And covenant community functioned for such a time like this. When I told them about her, they were all in one accord giving me all out support by saying something like: <em>“What are you waiting for? Just express your intention to her.” , “She’s perfect for you, go for her!”, ”Don’t worry, I will back you up”,</em> etc. Pastor Jahja as Yuyun’s pastor was very supportive and even later he and Ibu Istha took time to visit Yuyun’s father and talked about the good things about me. Pastor Benny supported in prayer from Surabaya. I suspected he put this thing in the prayer tower :). Meike actively sought more information about Yuyun and reported to me. She was my number one supporter. So I couldn’t help myself but to take heed of their advice.<br /><br />I borrowed Joshua Harris’ approach in his <em>Boy Meets Girl</em> as I texted her that afternoon: <em>"I need to talk about a guy I know who's interested in you."</em> We made an appointment to have lunch at a restaurant nearby our church. And that was a mistake. Two friends of us passed by, greeted us and then joined the lunch with us. The good news was I had finished what I wanted to talk to her about and had gotten the answer. The bad news was the news about two of us having lunch together spreaded very quickly and within days everybody was like aware of our situation. Life lesson for the singles: If you want to do like what I did and you want to stay low, find a restaurant with minimum possibility of your friends to come.<br /><br />Back to that restaurant nearby our church, I told her that I had a feeling about her and thought that she was the one for me. I said that I might be wrong and asked her the possibility to do courtship to get to know each other. She was not so surprised because apparently she knew about what I wanted to talk from somebody. She said that she honestly did not have any feeling towards me, but she was willing to pray about it. I was a little bit down because I thought we had a mutual feeling. But I encouraged myself to see the positive thing. I realized she treated everybody nicely, not only to me, and that thought made me even adore her more. As I told her to take her time to pray, those two friends showed up... </span><br /></span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-27337523918732799142009-02-14T05:31:00.001+07:002009-02-21T20:17:24.792+07:00Irresistable Desire<span style="font-size:130%;"><em>"Love: The irresistable desire to be irresistibly desired."</em> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">-- Mark Twain</span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-32013071869030932902009-02-14T05:11:00.003+07:002009-02-14T05:28:16.371+07:00A Brief History of Valentine's Day<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Valentine's Day</strong></span><br /><em>Dr. George Grant</em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Valentine was likely a third century pastor from the southern Umbrian town of Terni who was imprisoned for his faith during the great persecution of Claudius II. According to a popular legend, he wrote small pastoral notes to members of his congregation on leaves he was able to pluck from a maple tree just outside his cell. These little “Valentine’s cards” expressed his love for the flock, and his desire that they demonstrate like love toward one another. Gradually the tradition grew up for Christians to exchange notes of love and encouragement to one another on this, his birthday.</span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-37466464831495450692009-02-12T05:36:00.006+07:002009-02-12T06:15:11.986+07:00When A Man Loves A Woman Part II<span style="font-size:130%;">I don’t know about you, but I desperately need role models. Following are the men who inspired me to be a better husband. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><ol><li>Jesus of Nazareth to His Church: <em>“Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”</em> - He reserved nothing to Himself. He gave all to her.<br /></li><li>Joseph Ben Jacob to Mary, mother of Jesus: <em>“Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly.”</em><br /></li><li>Joshua Jacob to Mary Jacob: <em>”I don’t care if people think that I am afraid of my wife. What I do care is I love my wife!” </em>- something like that :)<br /></li><li>Randy Pausch to Jai Pausch: <em>"I waited until I was 39 to get married because it took me that long to find someone whose happiness meant more to me than my own." </em><br /></li><li>Adrian Monk to Trudy Monk: <em>“She’s always with me… Every time I close my eyes… She’s always 34 years old. She’s always wearing the same dress. And, she’s always – so…”</em> - Well, it is fiction, but the truth about his deep love to Trudy remains.</span></li></ol>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-56193823802727189572009-02-07T06:10:00.007+07:002016-05-26T13:34:11.494+07:00About Her<span style="font-size: 130%;">Her name was Yuyun. She worked as a pastors’ secretary. That was all I knew about her. Personally, I have determined myself not to marry somebody based on the first impression only. I needed to know her spirituality, her ministry, her family, and definitely her passion for mission. The problem was I did not have any idea and chance to know her more. So for some time I was just the secret admirer of hers.<br /><br />And then, ”Jackpot”! "That was Saturday when we met accidentally. She had just finished her music practice </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">and I was just about to go home. She offered me to ride along with her girl friends to Taman Anggrek Mall because both of her house and the place I used to stay in Jakarta were near with that mall. I was quite hesitant at first because I was the only man in the car, but I had to seize the moment. I wouldn’t know whether this kind of chance would come again. As we arrived at the mall, by what I believed as a divine arrangement, one by one her girl friends started to leave, until only the two of us were left.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />I forgot what we ate, but I would never forget her passion for God and people. I learned she led a large cell group of singles and had actively involved in mission. Yes, my check list was almost complete. But there was one consideration. I was on my way to stay in Aceh to start a school, most likely for good. I was thinking before about the way to propose somebody. Instead of saying,<em> “Will you marry me?”,</em> I would say <em>“Will you go to Aceh with me?”.</em> She lived with her father. It had to be hard for her to leave him alone if she would marry me. I kept that in my heart and just enjoyed the first date with her. By the way, she still refuses to call that night as a “date”. For her it was just a casual dinner :).<br /><br />The heavy rain that was waiting for us as we were leaving the mall made that evening even more romantic to me. That night I couldn’t sleep.</span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-85630481308838095062009-02-06T05:46:00.011+07:002009-02-06T13:00:15.437+07:00To Watch You Grow in Beauty<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I WILL BE HERE</strong></span><br /><em>Steven Curtis Chapman</em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Tomorrow morning if you wake up</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And the sun does not appear</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I will be here</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If in the dark we lose sight of love</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Hold my hand and have no fear</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">'Cause I will be here</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I will be here</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>When you feel like being quiet</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>When you need to speak your mind</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I will listen</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>And I will be here</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>When the laughter turns to crying</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Through the winning and losing and trying</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>We'll be together</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>'</strong></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Cause I will be here</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Tomorrow morning if you wake up</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And the future is unclear</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I'll be here</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Just as sure as seasons are made for change</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Our lifetimes are made for years</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I will be here</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I will be here</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>You can cry on my shoulder</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>When the mirror tells us we're older</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I will hold you</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>And I will be here</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>To watch you grow in beauty</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>And tell you all the things you are to me</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I will be here</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I will be true</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">To the promise I have made</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">To you and to the One who gave you to me</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And just as sure as seasons are made for change</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Our lifetimes are made for years</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">'Cause I will be here</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We'll be together</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">'Cause I will be here</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">p.s. I sang this beautiful song at the end of our holy matrimony as a surprise gift to my bride (June 4, 2006).</span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-72371341422758919132009-02-05T04:15:00.009+07:002009-02-05T04:42:40.810+07:00Morning Kiss & Roses<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299057980908547618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJF8xXRmeKNoU0OLS6vmkOoPM8-HFLUcT-ih8PPjk-XfpiDu32plpQvEZjcW1DJdWhQhxe7VHEPTWND1FYDXfa1ykW6pi93c4uDmX76iZugrf-xTYco-6J3y9AHNt9_jrWMVf3aQzCKIb/s200/100_2841_ed.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>I wish today will be as pleasing as your face </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><div align="left"><em><br /></em></div><div align="left"><br /><em>As I wake you up with a morning kiss</em></div><div align="left"><em><br /></em></div><div align="left"><br /><em>Love, let's see the rosebuds I bought yesterday</em></div><div align="left"><em><br /></em></div><div align="left"><br /><em>They have bloomed and waited for praise</em></div><div align="left"><em><br /></em></div><div align="left"><br /><em>Ah, roses, the icon of romance and affection</em></div><div align="left"><em><br /></em></div><div align="left"><br /><em>Remain to become sweethearts regardless the thorns</em></div><div align="left"><em><br /></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><br /></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><br /></em></div><div align="left">(i.t.a.l.y.)</span></div>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-38130295570128221062009-02-03T01:39:00.003+07:002009-02-03T01:46:33.518+07:00Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi<em><span style="font-size:130%;">Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.<br />Where there is hatred, let me sow love;<br />where there is injury, pardon;<br />where there is doubt, faith;<br />where there is despair, hope;<br />where there is darkness, light;<br />and where there is sadness, joy.<br /><br />O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek<br />to be consoled as to console;<br />to be understood as to understand;<br />to be loved as to love.<br /></span><br /></em><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>For it is in giving that we receive;<br />it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;<br />and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen</em></span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-56353190154655777352009-02-02T08:45:00.004+07:002009-08-11T11:01:40.660+07:00Someone Whose Happiness Meant More To Me Than My Own<span style="font-size:130%;"><em>"I waited until I was 39 to get married because it took me that long to find someone whose happiness meant more to me than my own,"</em> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">-- Dr. Randy Pausch<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I was a 35-years-old bachelor back then. I had been through several relationships which I boldly counted them not as failures because apparently I was able to find out that those fine young ladies were not meant to be with me. I thank God for each relationship. They had taught me so many priceless things in life. Each time a relationship ended, I always applied what I called as a personal code of honor which means I did not tell anybody about it that I would never initiate another relationship until my former girlfriend had seen somebody else. I feel free to talk now since all of them are married already. Sure, there was a feeling of sadness, failure and shame. But I had learned to trust in God’s perfect plan that all things work together for good to those who love Him.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Back in 2005, I was free from my personal code of honor since my last girlfriend had already engaged. Nevertheless, I had made up my mind to seize every moment of my single life and maximize it to serve His purpose on earth and did not have any intention at all to start another relationship. So, there I was, single, available but not looking, until the day I met someone whose happiness meant more to me than my own.</span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-71341929080039727142009-02-01T04:46:00.006+07:002009-02-21T00:03:48.225+07:00First Crush (2005)<strong>Introduction:</strong> <em>I would like to dedicate the month of February to write nothing but love: love in general, love to God and others, and especially my love to the one I cherish and adore, my beloved wife. Following is one of the fragments of our love stories.</em><br /><em></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In early 2005, I found myself in Jakarta to prepare our school project in Aceh. Everybody was busy when I was waiting for someone at MSI Jakarta office. Just as I was starting to get bored, an angel came and rescued me from the boredom. With a beautiful smile she handed me books to read, Rick Warren’s <em>Purpose Driven Life </em>and Elizabeth George’s <em>Loving God with All Your Mind</em>. After thanking her for her consideration, I tried to read but somehow I couldn’t. My eyes were on the book, but my mind was on her.</span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-32048278776608986922009-01-31T06:44:00.004+07:002009-01-31T06:50:07.283+07:00Indifference<span style="font-size:130%;"><em>"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.”</em></span>-- Elie Wiesel quotes (Romanian born American Writer. Nobel Prize for Peace in 1986. b.1928)nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4195210972968825723.post-69463658744117400362009-01-30T20:34:00.006+07:002009-02-02T09:07:25.554+07:00Extravagant Love<span style="font-size:130%;">This is my all time favorite intimate worship song: </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">YOUR LOVE IS EXTRAVAGANT</span><br />Darrell Evans © 1998 Integrity’s Hosanna Music<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><em>Your love is extravagant<br />Your friendship intimate<br />I find I’m moving to the rhythms of Your grace<br />Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place<br />Your love is extravagant<br /></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><em>Spread wide in the arms of Christ<br />Is the love that covers sin<br />No greater love have I ever known<br />You considered me a friend<br />Capture my heart again</em></span>nurhayatnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625806807462682612noreply@blogger.com0