Sunset

I'd like to cap the work-day with a smile on my face, despite of going through such rattling activities at work (it being end of 2nd quarter for this brand that I am assigned with). It was a pretty tough week but grace was just fabulous, that I got by! :)

Now let me share with you this is a photo I took yesterday at around 6pm, just right outside our bedroom window. Aren't sunsets just the most beautiful? The asthma of my Tiffey has set down as well, praise God. Thanks to you guys who prayed :)

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

Keeping Lola Basyang at Bay

Maybe blame my 30th year of existence for putting up this post. Or, maybe be happy about what's in store for you as you comb through this blog. Ok so our topic for today is getting older. Hehe. You'd have to bear with me today as I am terribly in a lethargic state, probly too tired and stressed out physically. My brain is falling short of some cells and my speech is almost slurring!

Did you know that the way you actually "feel" about getting old affects your own aging process? In a Yale School of Public Health survey of 70-80 people, those who described “aging” as “senile, weak, tired and sad” were more inclined to suffer from age-related problems than those who had a more positive outlook. Positive thinking now is even being used to help patients recover from heart attacks, drug addiction, surgery and all sorts of other disease or mental condition! Imagine that? Who would have thought that even just your perception can contribute to your aging process. No wonder I see grandparents who don't look like their age; and when you talk to them, they're so full of zest and life.

I really pray that I can develop more into this positive outlook and mindset. Nothing to lose! Positive thinking isn't about false expectations. It's about being at a sound mental state that will challenge a person's maturity to actually learn to juggle being realistic or idealistic. Slowing down the aging process is a good benefit of positive thinking. But heck, I think that's just the fudge on our sundae. Positive thinking will get us through life with much joy... (instead of feeling sorry about ourselves, or dwell on the shoulda-woulda-coulda's).

Let me go look at myself in the mirror... There, I look so like 20. Hahaha.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11).
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).

I Don't Like You

When people don't like you, smile and be happy. Let's face it, not everybody will like you. Not all that you meet will think nicely of you. Even when you exert much effort, some people won't really like the way you talk, the way you dress, the way you even flick your hair.

The good news is, you don't exactly need to please them all. You don't have to go so much out of your way to make people like you. Of course we have to remember to walk in the bounds of truth and logic when we carry ourselves. But what I'm trying to say is that, we can't drain our minds on how to look right or act right on another person's standards. You can't just blindly pattern who you are by using other people's preferences as your reference. Have your own.

The key here is LOVE. Not the cutie sweetie kind of love, but the love that springs forth from our Lord Jesus. When we find ourselves hating or disliking someone because of "Wala lang, di lang talaga kami vibes," or, "Wala lang, di ko lang sya gusto..alam mo yun?! Di ko sya feel!".. (sounds familiar?) .. we have to stop ourselves. We have to enlarge our circle of love. We need to make a conscious effort to understand that not everybody is the same as you, nor do they use the same standards that you use. Be nice. Be nice with a sincere heart. Is it THAT difficult to treat others with respect? Truth is, when we have Jesus in our hearts, love progressively becomes embedded in our nature. God will teach us how to love. God will teach each of us how to live according to His Will and not the will of your friend, your officemate, your partner or your family.

We were not born to please men but to please God. Know that even when the entire world hates you, God still thinks you are beautiful. When some people don't like you, smile and say it's perfectly okay. The burden will not be on you but on them. Isn't life wonderful? Let's not put it to waste by putting down other people or by molding ourselve to their standards.

Fear of Lack?

Received a revelation yesterday. Actually twas something that I've known before but hearing God's Word again and again about provision in all aspects of our lives is a big relief for me. I love how God can bring calmness in my once-in-a-while chaotic emotional state. Let me share with you these materials that pulled me out of near breakdown yesterday.

Trusting in God's Promise
Fear of Lack by Pastor Steve Murrel

Canon EOS 400D

I've been in and out a couple of electronic shops in Hong Kong, Singapore and Manila since the new Canon EOS 400D was introduced. Should I buy? Should I not? Do I go for it? What?!? I've recently been an advocate of being stingy (ok, frugal) and was debating within myself if it's really worth buying. After some pros and cons, I've decided to get one (hopefully) by end of July and seriously get into photography which I've been dabbling about here and there for almost two years.

Here's a well-written review on the camera.

FAITH CHECK

Over time, we encounter questions in our walk with God that would either make us stumble in disbelief or simply build us up with more faith. I was thinking of FAITH yesterday because I was actually being suggested of being too much of a Christian "TALIBAN", paranoid of following even the simplest commands in the Bible. For a second there, I felt shaken, was almost into tears actually. Then thought, ano ba talaga dapat ang sundin ko. Is it God's Word or is it what other people think of me? For a good three minutes, I froze and tried to take a hold of myself. Good thing God can always change the situation and later on the attention was swayed to something else. There I was left into a daze, pounding my brain cells whether I should quit and just live life as I want to and therefore not be called a TALIBAN or anything even close to it. Throughout the rest of the day, nag-iisip lang talaga ako and I kept asking God to enlighten me, to comfort me, and I just sang in my head, worshipping Him.

Just before Sunday Service, we were on our way to church and it hit me. I will not let anything shake my faith. I will not let anyone tell me who I am or how I am supposed to act. Then came some other encouraging thoughts and convictions to help me improve as a person. Pastor Robert's preaching on the lives of Paul and Silas helped me overcome the dissuasion that haunted me earlier in the day. The goal is to please God, to praise Him in good or in bad, to magnify Him when troubles beset us. The goal is to FOCUS on Him no matter what. When bad things happen, answer this, "How will we respond?".

Perhaps what happened was, God allowed some pretty good jolting to strengthen me in my Christian faith. It's almost like taking sides. Are you in or are you out? Sa pula, sa puti? Deal or no deal? I sure don't want to fail and I sure don't want to make the wrong decision. Faith in Him and what Jesus did on the cross for me is my foundation. Now I need to even dig my heels in, more than before, to be sure that nothing can discourage me in my walk with the Lord.

- 1 John 5: 4 "For everone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our FAITH."
- Proverbs 4: 13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
- Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Well, God says...

The world says you won't ever make it. Well God says you are a CAN-DO person!
"You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. "
- Psalm 45: 2

The world says you're ugly and fat.. well, God sees you as someone BEAUTIFUL!
"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord."
- Psalm 45: 11

The world says you'll never get what you're praying for.. well, God says that you'll have it as long as you seek Him!
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."
- Psalm 37:4

The world says you'll never get healed.. God says just have faith and let me do the healing!
"I AM the LORD who heals you."
- Exodus 15:26

Just a Few More Days!!!

My Future Baby

Ok so much for new kids in the family (hehe).. our two sweeties are enough. I don't know why I've got my eye on this Hyundai Tucson. Its appeal is quite strong and boy am I praying for one! :-)

Starbucks in a Bottle

Well don't you just want to praise God for Starbucks in a bottle?! I'm just happy to have found this lurking in one of the corners of the grocery waiting for a Starbucks addict to come and consume it! Talk about saving time for a quick trip to Starbucks in the morning before going to work! Bright bright idea! :-D

Prayer Requests

Praise God for family and friends who never cease to pray for me and my family in times of need. This week is actually quite a challenging one. But, with God's grace, we will be fine!

1) My son has been healed after been hospitalized for 4 days due to a hematoma in his tonsils. Praise God!

2) God moved mightily to provide for the bills.

3) I need your prayers for the completion of our new home. For some reason, this demented architect that we hired have used up the money we've paid him and is unable to finish the rest of the project. So we will take over the finishing stage next week. Provision for this is what we need. If only everything comes cheap nowadays!

4) Please do pray for my older sister who will be undergoing surgery due to kidney stones on Saturday. Rebuke the stones in Jesus' Name!

5) Pray for me as well as it's been quite a challenge at work as this brand I'm handling is ending their fiscal quarter this October.

Thanks in advance for standing with me and my family in prayer. God will indeed work mightily in all these situations. By God's will, these will come to pass.

God bless you!

Summer Fun!

Isn't it rather late for me to post pics from last summer? Teehee, it only goes to show that now is the only time I've ever had to somehow doodle a bit and rekindle my love for photoshop. :-)

Watch and be Moved!

..Maybe God wants to reach out to you and tell you something you need to know today. Watch Joel Osteen as He preaches the Word of God and be blown away by his passion to speak God's love for us. This is definitely worth your time!

Faith

"How can I have hope when my eyes show me that the problem I'm in looks utterly hopeless?" Almost too often, this is the question we throw back at friends or family who try to encourage us during times of problems or pain. "It's going to be alright" or "Things will get better" are the comments we would hear from the people who care about us. But how much of these statements do we actually take in; pause in our need to complain, and actually digest what those encouraging statements mean?

When we look at the Word of God, going through life is as simple as ABC, no fantastic steps to follow, no complicated principles to implement. All it takes is faith. Faith in the Father who birthed you into this world, faith that His promises are true. Jesus said, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matt 21:22). This verse speaks so much of love, hope and encouragement. If Jesus said that your prayers will be answered, why not take Him at His Word? We've seen so many miracles and answered prayers happening in other people's lives, why not in ours?

We can never be free from problems or trials; but, God enables us to have a problem-proof life. Faith propels us to soar forward with a heart free from bitterness or spite. Faith enables us to see ourselves in the future, prosperous and living a good life for the Lord. Our human eyes will never see the big picture, only God can do that. Faith gives us the confidence to face everything in this world, knowing that God will always back us up. Next time you're faced with a hurdle, leap over the other side - God is there to catch you.. just have, FAITH.

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Heb. 11:1).

We live by faith, not by sight. 2 cor 5:7

The Seed

I had a great time this afternoon while having Bible study with my niece and her friend. One line from the study I was discussing stood out in my head and I am still thinking of it now.

"The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act."

It makes a lot of sense doesn't it? It is the same as the principle of sowing and reaping. You plant good seeds, expect a good harvest. You plant the right thoughts, you act out good deeds. Sadly, if you plant the wrong thoughts, we end up in sin.

Have you ever experienced going through life hopeless of how you can ever change your bad habits or attitudes? Only Jesus can help you change. It is when we put our complete trust in Him that we realize that we CAN be a better person. And God provides a way for us to make it a reality. When we plant the Word of God in our hearts & minds each day, we can expect the best harvest - having joy, love, peace & hope in our hearts!

Formula for Success

"Lord, bahala ka na ha. You know what I need. Amen." Oftentimes, we pray to God, assuming that He already knows what we want and need. I mean, sure He does. But there's something about praying specifically that catches God's attention. I remember praying this way and changing it to drill down to the specifics. At first I felt uncomfortable, like, it felt dictating a line of grocery lists.. But later on, I realized, that God wants to hear it straight from our mouth. Oli and I were believing for our own place this year and we refurbished our prayers from "Lord, sana, may bahay na kami".. to... "Lord, you said in Your Word that your people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Lord we boldly ask for that promise. We ask you to bless us with a house of our own. With nice white walls and a room for every child..." etc, etc. And here we are, about 60-70% done with the house construction!
It is to God's glory that we see all these coming to pass. And we know there's more to come!

The formula of success doesn't rest on anything of this world; it is not about having charms or crystals, or a superstitious belief on this and that. Success comes only from God and God alone. When we start to make GOD the center of our lives, success and miracles will be part of how we live. God's promises are here for us to take. We just need to know it, live it and ask for it.

WORMS!

This worm had to highlight my week last Wednesday. We received about three huge bars of Cadbury from a friend who works in Malaysia and, voila, upon opening the wrappers, we found about two worms (ALIVE AND WRIGLY!!!!) and an insect that looked like a moth. Ewww. Yes, that's how you can describe it!!! One of the bars were lined with what seems to be a cobweb. We figured it must've been the remnants of the cocoon where the worm comfortably birthed itself into a moth. Well, I guess these things happen. I don't think I'll any kind of chocolates from here on... Or if I get a bad craving for some, I'd definitely make sure to tear apart the wrappers and inspect it.

An Answered Prayer

color schemes.. floor plans.. room layout.. etc.. etc.. finally, the place that we can call our own is now under construction! :-) Praise God, indeed! it's crazy to have to plan for sooo many things for a small haven, but, this is way better than not having to plan at all.

we're working on a very measured budget and I'm sure that with God's grace, guidance and FAVOR, everything will be provided to complete this project.

God DOES answer. HE definitely responds... isn't it just so awesome?! whatever it is you're praying for, keep on pressing on!

Down and Up

Praise God. Praise God!!! The last few weeks and months have been good to me. I faced some challenges along the way in almost all areas of my life. I had an opportunity to look at myself and how I am in the various roles I fulfill. If there's one word to describe the things I've gone through, that would be, yeah, ROLLER COASTER. Hey, two words ;p. Different experiences, varying results. I failed some, I stumbled on some, I succeeded in some. But amidst it all, I still see myself as a victor. I may have encountered semi-depressing circumstances, but it was an opportunity to praise God because it's a chance for me to show Him that I will handle the situation well. I may have encountered very annoying people, who would offend and even take me for granted, but it was a chance for me to see how other people need more prayers. I may have gone through some trials at home and our finances, but it was a time for me to realize that only God knows how to provide. I may have been passing quite a dry stage in my spirituality, but it is an open door for God to fill my cup. There were times when I'd feel uneasy, worrisome about the things around me, but I saw it as a chance for me to cling on to God for strength and wisdom.

It took a lot of courage for me to look at things positively; perhaps even tiresome. What actually moved me in the right direction is to ask the purpose of every single circumstance I was going through. An arguement with my hubby - I was being taught to control my tantrums, to be a good listener & to be submissive. My kids in a tantrum spree - I was being taught to be more patient and loving and to instruct my kids in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6). Sometimes I would feel God is distant - I was being taught to pray harder, pray more and read more of His Word (1 Chron. 28:9). Waking up feeling lethargic, not wanting to do anything AT ALL - I was being taught that lazy hands bring poverty and diligent hands bring wealth (Prov. 10:4).

So many things to learn from God; if only we will choose to look at our challenges in a different light. After all, no amount of wallowing and depression will solve anything. No matter how loud we complain and how many tears we cry, things won't get better unless we act on them (2 Tim. 1:7).

God bless us all!

My Saturday

Today I had the chance to go to one of the busiest malls in town - SM North. I drove my in-laws to the mall and actually just walked around with my kids in pursuit of nothing. We didn't have any reason to shop. So we ended up having merienda at Super Bowl and chat over what's new with Cartoon Network and tried talking about why some cartoons don't actually promote good conduct. It was a nice talk about good and evil, the funny and the not, why some are rated PG and which cartoons rock. Cute! It's awesome how my children have grown to think of these things when all the while I thought the thing they only cared about are toys, tv shows and PS2 games.

So we topped the day by going to the Workshop and bought stuff like a mini-fan for my hubby's computer area, Spotless stain remover, a surge protector, a desk organizer and some plastic containers for the kids' toys.

Now I'm yawn after yawn waiting for my hubby to come home from his friend's birthday party. I don't really need to wait up... but, fixing his computer area was such a delight this evening and I'd love to see how he reacts to it when he sees the work (hard labor!!) I've done.

Well, so much for today :-)