Since January last year, I have learned to spend quiet time reading the bible. Eventually, I learned to pray from the heart and talk to God. And I am learning to meditate on His word. I can attest of how powerful these times to affect the course of my day. I can feel the presence of the Lord as I go through the day.
The past week had been busy for me, and I had missed my morning conversations with God. That's when worry, pride, resentment starts to creep on me again big time. And I felt no power to overcome it.
Now I know what happens when I miss my morning coffee time with the Lord. It is time to get my priority straight.
:-)
7/25/2012
7/11/2012
Pleasing Everyone, Anyone?
I must admit, one thing I cannot tolerate is when I am criticized or corrected. Not necessarily because of the criticism itself but now I realize that it is more of the fear that the person criticizing me is not pleased with me anymore. I always wanted people to love me, admire me, accept me- and I will do anything just to maintain that. And now I realized, it causes me unnecessary stress and frustration.
Because I cannot please anyone.
And that God loves me and that is sufficient. Pastor Joby's post on his daily devotional about this had touched me and helped me understand more about this negative effect on me of trying to please everyone (see related post).
And the other day, God tested me about this. Anxiety and frustration overtook me over a mere question of what I did. I just felt the person who questioned me is displeased with my work- that alone brought unpleasant feeling inside me that went on early morning yesterday. I am not proud that it took me that long to do this: I humbly bowed down before God and prayed for his guidance and wisdom.. And then He impressed upon my heart that He loves me, and that is the most important thing. And that pleasing Him is what matters the most. The anxiety went away at that instant.
And I felt peace.
Because I cannot please anyone.
And that God loves me and that is sufficient. Pastor Joby's post on his daily devotional about this had touched me and helped me understand more about this negative effect on me of trying to please everyone (see related post).
And the other day, God tested me about this. Anxiety and frustration overtook me over a mere question of what I did. I just felt the person who questioned me is displeased with my work- that alone brought unpleasant feeling inside me that went on early morning yesterday. I am not proud that it took me that long to do this: I humbly bowed down before God and prayed for his guidance and wisdom.. And then He impressed upon my heart that He loves me, and that is the most important thing. And that pleasing Him is what matters the most. The anxiety went away at that instant.
And I felt peace.
7/07/2012
Another Day With Friends
Food and swimming. Never ending fun and laughter. Day spent with our kids as well.
Thank you Lord for such a blessed day with friends!
Thank you Lord for such a blessed day with friends!
 |
| Fun! |
 |
| My sweet Miguel |
 |
| Ninong Arvin and Maxene |
 |
| Ninang Alex |
 |
| Ninong Roel and Cutee Josh |
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| Miguel having so much fun |
 |
| Josh having fun, too! |
 |
| Awww sweet- my little girl and daddy |
7/06/2012
Palms Friends
Met up with friends from Palms Country Club yesterday. It was a joy to see them and get updates from them. And at the same time, I feel guilty for all the times I was so busy and did not bother to meet up with them. God is revealing more and more of what matters the most in my life. I always thought and believed that financial freedom can give me anything I wanted for me and my family. But I was wrong. And the more I surrender myself to God's will, the more I realized and see that the simple things in life can give me joy and peace and contentment because the Lord is with me.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good pleasing and perfect will.
7/05/2012
God is Faithful
If you've been reading my previous blogs, you will find that I have been struggling with God's command to be still and know that He is God. (See related post)
I had been impatient and had to take control over some things. But at the end of the day, I ended up frustrated, angry and guilty. As the the Lord had impressed upon my heart to be patient and to trust Him, I lifted up my cares away and learn from what He was actually teaching me.
And He is faithful to His promises!
As I stayed still and prayed and trusted in Him, everything just fell into place! I could have saved myself from so much heartache and could have avoided angry bouts with Vergil if I had been obedient to His commands.
But I am grateful for the lesson it taught me. The Lord really loves me as He never fails to give a lesson everyday on how to live a life that is worth the reward in heaven.
Glory to God and His Son Jesus forever!
I had been impatient and had to take control over some things. But at the end of the day, I ended up frustrated, angry and guilty. As the the Lord had impressed upon my heart to be patient and to trust Him, I lifted up my cares away and learn from what He was actually teaching me.
And He is faithful to His promises!
As I stayed still and prayed and trusted in Him, everything just fell into place! I could have saved myself from so much heartache and could have avoided angry bouts with Vergil if I had been obedient to His commands.
But I am grateful for the lesson it taught me. The Lord really loves me as He never fails to give a lesson everyday on how to live a life that is worth the reward in heaven.
Glory to God and His Son Jesus forever!
7/04/2012
Picture Books
One of my goals before the year ends is to organize, file and choose pictures I will be putting together in a picture book. I am sold on ordering them already thru PICTUREBOOKS.
Software already downloaded. I'm gonna start with the pictures from our recent vacation.
:-)
Software already downloaded. I'm gonna start with the pictures from our recent vacation.
:-)
Artsy Saturday
It was supposedly finger painting activity alone. But when Maxene saw how Kuya Miggy's "dirty" hands, she backed out. Akala niya madumi yung ginagawa namin. Hahaha!
After our finger painting, I decided to we do another coloring activity with Maxene...
And updated another page of my scrapbook too...
I am still thinking of what to do next Saturday. Sticker time maybe.
7/03/2012
Find Rest
I am pretty sure all of us is familiar with Psalm 23 from the bible:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the
days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Now, let me share you something from a book I am currently reading. And antithesis of Psalm 23 which speaks for most of us. I myself have experienced this:
The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when exhausted.
It leads me to deep depression, it hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity's sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done, for my "ideal" is with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.
They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of
my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines, my in-basket
overflows.
Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the
days of my life,
And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever.
MARCIA K. HORNOK, "PSALM 23, ANTITHESIS
from the book: Living on Purpose by Christine and Tom Sine
Funny, but true. Most of the time, we live a busy life that is never ending. We try to book a vacation or file a one day leave in the hope that it will somehow recharge us. But the moment we wake up the next day, just thinking of the task ahead zaps up our energy.
It is when you are in the Lord that rest comes in the midst of a busy day. He promised us this:
Matthew 11:29-30
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Seek the Lord and surely you will find rest in your weary souls. God bless us all!
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the
days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Now, let me share you something from a book I am currently reading. And antithesis of Psalm 23 which speaks for most of us. I myself have experienced this:
The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when exhausted.
It leads me to deep depression, it hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity's sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done, for my "ideal" is with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.
They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of
my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines, my in-basket
overflows.
Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the
days of my life,
And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever.
MARCIA K. HORNOK, "PSALM 23, ANTITHESIS
from the book: Living on Purpose by Christine and Tom Sine
Funny, but true. Most of the time, we live a busy life that is never ending. We try to book a vacation or file a one day leave in the hope that it will somehow recharge us. But the moment we wake up the next day, just thinking of the task ahead zaps up our energy.
It is when you are in the Lord that rest comes in the midst of a busy day. He promised us this:
Matthew 11:29-30
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Seek the Lord and surely you will find rest in your weary souls. God bless us all!
7/02/2012
Great Life Or Eternal Life?
If there's one thing the Lord had taught me that made me just look back and become grateful that He called me- is the understanding that we are living in world where you can be trapped of the illusions of a great life and then spend your whole life running after it then realize that it can never satisfy you at all.
Life here on earth is short. And eternity never ends. How come I almost spent my entire life working on my life here and never even bother to think of how will I be spending eternity?
And I am grateful that God called me. And now He is teaching me everyday of how should I live my life here on earth in order to get the great reward I will be enjoying in the eternal life.
Life here on earth is short. And eternity never ends. How come I almost spent my entire life working on my life here and never even bother to think of how will I be spending eternity?
And I am grateful that God called me. And now He is teaching me everyday of how should I live my life here on earth in order to get the great reward I will be enjoying in the eternal life.
7/01/2012
Guiding Words
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:11
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:11
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Let God
There are still times when I worry too much and become anxious... especially when it comes to financial problems. When bills piled up and our budget is too tight, I start to think of ways immediately, instead of praying to the Lord and trusting Him of his faithful promise- not to worry but to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be given to me (Matthew 6:25-33).
And so, for days now, whenever anxiousness and worry slowly creeps into my heart, I pray and lift it all to God. I think of His promises. I open my bible and read them. And they never fail to soothe my heart and soul.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 12:7
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.
I am learning to let God work on my life by trusting His love and mercy. Sometimes it seems easy to say, but it really takes intimacy with God and knowing Him deeper and deeper that my faith in Him flourishes which enables me to surrender my every day to Him. And so it has became a goal for me to get to know God and His Son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus. To be able to trust Him fully and surrender every aspect of my life to Him.
I am praying that many will join me in my walk in quest of the great reward.
And so, for days now, whenever anxiousness and worry slowly creeps into my heart, I pray and lift it all to God. I think of His promises. I open my bible and read them. And they never fail to soothe my heart and soul.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 12:7
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.
I am learning to let God work on my life by trusting His love and mercy. Sometimes it seems easy to say, but it really takes intimacy with God and knowing Him deeper and deeper that my faith in Him flourishes which enables me to surrender my every day to Him. And so it has became a goal for me to get to know God and His Son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus. To be able to trust Him fully and surrender every aspect of my life to Him.
I am praying that many will join me in my walk in quest of the great reward.
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