Love Never Fails

I would like to share this nice article entitled "A Family of Two" from the May 2009 issue of IN TOUCH magazine. (attached)

The article inspired and encouraged me to be more positive about my situation of not having a child. Our situations may not be the same but the message, I think, may help us view our life situations in a more positive light.

May we all learn to enjoy our completeness in Christ.

For couples like me and Jay, let us wait with excitement and joyful expectation on God's plan for our families of two.

Hello peeps! Been on a long blog hibernation. Hope you guys are well

How many blessings can I count today? Let me see...

~ the nice weather
~ the view of the garden from our home office
~ the noise of jeepney and other vehicles passing by our house. (i no longer need an alarm clock to wake up early)
~ this Upper Room devotional and the inspiring personal accounts of people and their walk with God
~ my husband...despite our differences, i'm just thankful and happy to have him by my side
~ my good health
~ our home
~ our food in the refrigerator
~ my lola nieves
~ my parents
~ my parents-in law
~ my brother, sisters and sister-in-laws
~ work from home
~ peaceful death of my lola taba - i'm deeply saddened by the news of her passing yesterday. it was just two weeks ago when i held her in my arms and prayed with her. i will surely miss her.
~ i know there are more things that I can be thankful for. things that God is doing in my life that i may still not be aware of..things that He has in store for me
~ life may seem difficult and challenging at times... i pray that God will give me the strength to be thankful for everything no matter what...

Hello friends and family!

Hope you are all doing well. Lately, I'm so distracted by certain things that I really haven't got the time to blog here like I used to. For the past weeks, I had been busy with the usual house chores and attending to my sideline work---and other mundane things.

I was fortunate to get a part-time teaching/writing job. I'm so blessed to have found them. I thank God for leading me to these opportunities. I have always said that I'm quite content being a full-time housewife, but I realized that it would be nice to get myself a job just to keep myself up-to-date and to earn a little extra to help my family in my spare time. I'll formally start working this April 1. I hope everything goes well.

There were several times in the last couple of weeks that I wanted to write here about the things I'm learning from my devotions, my daily experiences and church messages but I haven't got the time to really sit down and write about it. So I just took note of them. Because they are so many, I will simply list them all down in bullet points. This is going to be a long one...heheh :D I encourage you guys to read the short Bible verses :)

(From: OUR DAILY BREAD)

• God can use us for His own purpose, regardless of  who we are, our weaknesses, imperfections and how other people may see us. The excellence to influence, to inspire, and to cause change in others does not lie on our own abilities, but on God's ultimate power and grace. (Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7)
  
• Always encourage one another. We all need it. Truly, it is so hard to walk with Christ when we are all alone. We need each other -- to urge, to cheer, to rebuke, to encourage, and to guide -- as we follow Christ. (Read: Hebrews 10:19-25)
• It is not what we have done or how much we have given. It is not the reputation or accomplishments we have achieved. What matters to God is our hearts. In everything that we do, He looks deeply into who we are inside --our faith, motivations, priorities etc. He sees through us. He sees what is true, what is sincere. He appreciates an authentic expression of worship. (Read: Mark 12:41-44)

(FROM: Church Message)

• The church message the last four weeks explored the Book of Habbakuk and centered on the topic of FAITH.

1. Chapter 1: Honest Faith - (Habakkuk complains to God) Like Habakkuk, we can be honest to God about everything. Our fears, requests, questions, doubts, complaints --everything. He is a BIG God and He can take every difficulty or any problem that sieges us if only we trust and surrender everything to Him in prayer.
   
2. Chapter 2: Expectant Faith - (In this chapter, God speaks and Habakkuk listens.)  We ought to have an expectant faith. God is never too early nor too late in answering our prayers. God's timing is always perfect. His answers may not always be what we ask for, but know that He always has our best interest at heart. He knows what we need. Expectant faith is all about believing and trusting God's character, word, and timing. Believing that He will meet our needs despite the things that He is allowing to happen in our daily life. Just wait on the Lord. (Read Habakkuk 2:3)
3. Chapter 3: Triumphant Faith - (Habakkuk learns to trust God and begins to practice triumphant faith) Triumphant faith is complete submission to God's will in our daily life and plans for the future. It's also about obedience to His will despite inconveniences, peer pressure and criticisms from others. Having a triumphant faith is recognizing God's greatness, His character, and what He has done. Lastly, it's also all about rejoicing in the Lord. No matter what  unpleasant situations come our way---may it be financial crisis, a heartbreak, a disease that afflicts you, job loss, or you just feel empty and all alone -- draw strength in Him. He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross. He loves us that much and He will give us victory over any challenges. (Read Habakkuk 2:17-19)

(FROM: Personal Experience...lately heheh)

• These past weeks, God is revealing to me certain things that I need to work on in my character. (remember the meanie me blog? well, it's not just that...) As I walk with Him, I feel that I'm becoming more aware of what He expects of me as His child. Please pray for me. That I will not be easily discouraged, that I will humble myself and always speak the truth in love. That I will truly seek and obey him.
  

My Monday was about to end perfectly hadn't I decided to take Chickie out for a walk that evening.

Here's the story. I took Chickie by the leash and with sheets of yellow pages directory on my other hand (for poopie cleanup, just in case), we headed out for a quick evening stroll. As we reached the parking lot, I guided Chickie to a patch of grass where she usually does her thing. Anyway, she just kept sniffing, walking around and looking under the cars with no sign that she would ... you know, poop! From my observation, she was in her hunting mode for cats :)

While I was just standing there watching Chickie, I heard someone from behind me call out, "Padampot naman ng _ _ _ ng aso!" I turned and saw that it was the head security guard in the subdivision. Upon seeing him, it was as if a light bulb went on code red and I blurted out  "Hay naku, lagi kong dinadakot ang _ _ _ ng aso ko!" in an angry way. In the first place, I do not have anything to pick up and second I always clean up after Chickie and you do not have to order me around...I thought to myself. The guard, seemed to be taken aback, just walked away. Chickie and I started walking in the same direction as the guard. As we walked pass him, he glanced and I gave him an angry look.

Three days before that incident, the same guard warned me and another pet owner when he saw our pets playing around at the side of the street. He said, "Bawal yan dito!" in an impolite way -- Chickie happened to be "in heat" so the other dog, (a two year-old male shih-tzu) was going gaga over her. I couldn't do anything. Chickie and I were just walking by and the pet owner was being friendly so we talked about each other's dogs. At that time, I didn't say anything. But in my heart I really got irritated with this particular guard for being so arrogant. I totally forgot all about it, until our encounter that Monday night.

As Chickie and I walked home, what I had said and did played over and over again in my mind. I thought,...that was so mean! The guard was just trying to do his job of keeping the subdivision safe and clean. And though there may be something wrong with his approach or manner of doing so, I should not have reacted that way. So I came home upset with myself.

Wow, it has been almost a month since I posted a blog! I really miss writing in here.

I would like to share with you some thoughts I had about David. He was King of Judah, author of the book of psalms, and a man after God's own heart.                   

While I was reading Psalm 71 this morning, I can't help picturing out in my mind what David was like. Aside from being a king, all I ever knew about him was that he beat Goliath with a slingshot. That he had several concubines and on one occasion even stole one of his generals wife. He was nice, but not really the perfect kind of guy if you would come to think of it. I thought, how in the world could a man like him sing of such reverence and love for God when he has done some of the most terrible things a human being could ever do --and still be God's favorite :p

As I chew on this idea of David being such a horrible person, I realize how he was able to come up with the most beautiful verses of love and praises for God ever written. I believe it was because he knew what it was like to be in sin. He experienced what it was like to be far away from God. He knew what it felt to be hopeless and abandoned. Most of all, he knew what it was like to be away from all that and to live under God's will, to be saved, to be redeemed, to be disciplined, to be loved, to be protected, to be cleansed, to be lifted, to be comforted, and to be blessed.

He wrote,

"He makes me lie down in green pastures,
       he leads me beside quiet waters." - Psalm 23:2

"Have mercy on me, O God,
       according to your unfailing love;
       according to your great compassion
       blot out my transgressions.
 Wash away all my iniquity
      and cleanse me from my sin."- Psalm 51:1-2

"Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
      I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
      apart from you I have no good thing."  - Psalm 16:1-2

"You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
      my God turns my darkness into light." - Psalm 18:28

"Many, O LORD my God,
       are the wonders you have done.
       The things you planned for us
       no one can recount to you;
       were I to speak and tell of them,
       they would be too many to declare." - Psalm 40:5

"I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
       I will sing of you among the peoples.
 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
      your faithfulness reaches to the skies." - Psalm 57:9-10

In David's psalms, one could see a heart that is forever grateful. Even though he was imperfect, God loved, forgave, and accepted him. He was a recipient of God's grace. And that's why David had all the reason to celebrate God, to worship him and give Him honor. It's amazing to see how big God's love for David was despite everything he has done. And I know the same could be said of God's love for us all.

I could, personally, relate to the life of David. There were things I did in the past that I was regretful for. I also experienced what it was like to not have God in my life. But God in His most loving kindness reached out to me and has freed me. I believe that the thankful spirit that I have in my heart is the same one that inspired David to write the Psalms. He truly is a man after God's own heart.

Watching the news is quite saddening. Thousands of people all over the world have lost their jobs. Others who have managed to stay in their jobs are at the risk of losing them.

In this time of uncertainty, life seem much more difficult to bear. People are constantly worrying about the future, the what if's, how needs will be met, and etc.

I pray that all of us will remain focused and not be easily weakened by difficult circumstances.
That we will always be thankful for what we have and be able to live our lives to the fullest with God as our provider, comforter, and guide.


The worship message in church these past two Sundays were quite timely. It focused on the meaning of Ephesians 6:5-9 where the apostle Paul talked about the relationship of slaves and masters (in our case, employees and employers). It provided some guidelines on how we should behave and how we could be the best employees and employers by following God's standards --pointers that can help us keep and stay in our jobs too!

FOR THE EMPLOYEES:

   Be RESPECTFUL: We must obey and respect our employers as to the Lord...even when our bosses are being unreasonable. Read: 1 Peter 2:18, 20  

   INTEGRITY: We are expected to be honest and trustworthy. We have to do what is right and what is good even when nobody is watching. (Ephes. 6:6)

   INDUSTRIOUSNESS: We are to give our best in our job, be hardworking, and willing to go the extra mile. We should do our tasks gladly as if we're doing it for the Lord. (Ephes. 6:7-8)

   EXCELLENCE: We are to be different. This means that in everything we do, we should put a high standard on ourselves and not be critical of other people. We must be a good example and influence others with our good behavior. (1Timothy 6:1)




FOR EMPLOYERS: Read Ephesians 6:8-9 , Colossians 4:1

   CHARACTER: Be a leader who can be trusted. Be a good role model.

   CARE:: Be concerned of your employees. They are important.

   CULTIVATE: Give your employees an opportunity to grow.

Last Tuesday, I had a wonderful opportunity of attending a short talk by Ms. Darlene Sala on the topic of Intimacy with God. She is the wife of well-known speaker, author, and Bible teacher - Dr. Harold Sala.

It was a very nice talk. I could see that she was sharing from her heart. She talked about the time when she felt spiritually dry and how she was able to bring back the joy in her daily walk with God.

Listening to her experience has made me reflect on my personal walk with Christ. Many times I put other things before Him. There are times when spending time with Him is just a part of my routine, nothing special. An obligation that I must keep.

I realize that every time I spend time with God in prayer, I make Him happy. He is excited. He wants to hear what I want to say. And the more I open up myself to Him, the more He reveals of Himself to me. He is not just a distant God. He is my father, my brother, and my friend.

I would like to share with you some of the notable notes I took home with me:

* God longs for intimacy. He wants a relationship with us.
   "Something happens when your soul sits down and have rest."
   "God in all His fullness wants to have a relationship with us"

* We can express our love to God through our love language
    - Quality Time
    - Gifts
    - Touch (through prayer)
    - Words
    - Acts of service

* Satan's Disruptive Schemes (preventing us to commune with God)
    - Keeps us busy
    - Send us so much trouble and difficulties
    - Send us prosperity so we don't think we need God

*  How do we become intimate with God?
   - Through salvation
   - Entering into a personal relationship with Him

*  We need God to walk as Christians.
   - Living the Christian life is difficult...no - it's impossible!
   - Loving our enemies is difficult without God.
   - Live the Christian life by the power of the Spirit.
   - As Jesus said, "Apart from me, you can do nothing."
   - He is the source of rest: "Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest."
   - He is the source of strength: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of    my heart and my portion forever."

* Keeping Attached
  - Having an intimate relationship with God
 
* Abandonment
  - Surrendering everything to God
  - Everything that happens to you is from God and is just exactly what you need.



 

It's been a day after my birthday. I'm still beaming with joy from so much love I have received :)

My morning reading takes me to Matthew 10:28-31



Jesus was sending out his 12 disciples and he was encouraging them to not be afraid of the people who will be after them for healing the sick and driving out evil spirits in his name. (The disciples were in danger of getting arrested and flogged.) He assured them of how important they were in God's eyes. That the Lord cares for them more than anything and He will not let anything bad happen to them.

He said to them,
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

31.) my hopes for the future