LIFE... LOVE... AND A BETTER ME: July 2013

7/28/2013

God's Love And Mercy

I am not sure, but I think I mentioned before how I gave up a good offer to return working full time over working at home - bookkeeping on retainer's. I only had one client at that time so imagine the difference of the amount of income between the two. But I chose to obey God when He told me to concentrate becoming a wife and a mother He wants me to be. That the same time, we were struggling financially and the offer could have helped us. But we trusted God and His plans for us. I knew He will provide for us and will never leave us through the trying times.

It's been more than a year and God has been faithful to His promises. He gave us so much undeserved love and mercy that I never thought I'd experienced. He provided for us while he taught us to lean on Him for everything. He's been faithful the whole time although I was not. Most of the time, I stumble and hurt Him. But He forgives me over and over that I feel sick knowing how unworthy I am of it.

It's been over a year, and although I was not as faithful as He is to me, He showered me with blessings. Today, I am working at home, I am my own boss and He gave me income more than what was offered to me before. God is so good and I am so grateful that he encouraged me to wait and be patient. His words guided me all the way to what I have now.

Today, as I reflect, I asked for God's forgiveness for all the time I follow the ways of the world and not listen to the Holy Spirit. I am still a work in progress, but I have learned and realized that God loves me so much that He is always there to welcome me back when I go astray. I am grateful of everything- from the trials that developed me and brought me to seek Him and to the blessings that He gave me. Indeed, God is good and faithful. He is loving and merciful never wanting us to perish.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Batch Meeting

Had to go home to meet them. Too bad it was a short trip

7/03/2013

Know the Shepherd... Intimately

I've been studying the book of Zechariah during my quiet time these days through John MacArthur's Book Bible Studies available in his website Grace To You. It has been a tremendous help for me to better understand our God in the Old Testament. It has given me a lot of insight about our God.

And yesterday, while studying the book through the help of John MacArthur's study on the book, he shared a story which is so profound that I just need also to share with everyone-

I always think about the story of the actor who went to the sort of a drawing room function. And there was a lady there, a fancy place, you know, ladies had their glasses on a stick, you know, one of those old fancy deals. So this one lady who was the hostess came to him and said, "Sir, we would like for you to recite for us." So the actor was in his glory, wanted to recite. And wanting to get the benefit of all that he could from his audience and having a rather unlimited repertoire, he said to his audience, "What would you like me to recite?" And there was an old preacher there, probably crashed the party, and he said, "I'd like to hear the twenty-third Psalm." And the actor said, "All right, I'll...I don't prefer to do that, but I'll do it on one condition," hoping that the gentleman would back down on his request, he said, "I'll do it if you'll do it after me."
The old pastor figuring twice is better than once said, "Fine." So the actor began and his intonation was flawless and his diction was beautiful. Masterfully he went through with great intensity the twenty-third Psalm. When he was done, there was applause. And the old preacher, he got up there and he had kind of a ministerial twang and his diction wasn't that hot, his interpretation wasn't so great. He got all done and there wasn't a sound. And there wasn't a dry eye in the place. And the actor was overcome with the silence, stood up and he said, "I think I know the difference. I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd." That's the difference. There are lots of people who know the Psalm, sadly there aren't so many who know the Shepherd.

And it hit me- many claim that they know Jesus. But the difference between those who are like the Actor and those who are like the Pastor- is the HEART. Knowing from the HEAD is different from knowing from the HEART, and knowing from the heart comes from knowing someone intimately. Just like in a relationship, you cannot love someone you don't know.

We become intimate with others by spending more time with them. We get to know everything about them- what they love, what they hate, what pleases them etc. And when we fall in love with the person, we want to please them, we don't want to hurt them.

Same is through with our God. We can only love him wholeheartedly if we spend time with Him and know Him intimately. And we can say we truly love Him when we commit to total obedience of His will. Although there are times when we stumble, He is forgiving and merciful. Although there are times when following His will seems impossible with our own strength, the Holy Spirit's power will strengthen us and make it possible for us.

Spend time with Him and get to know Him intimately by making time to study His word. There you will understand how great, loving, merciful our God is. There you will get to know, not only the Psalm, but the more of the SHEPHERD.

:-)

SM Southmall Bowling Center

I don't know how to play bowling and so I was not interested to check the place out. But Miguel insisted we visit the area. He went ahead with his dad while we stopped by the department store first for some stuff. They both decided they to play playstation while waiting for us.

I was surprised when I got there though. The place is huge and there were other activities aside from bowling and play station.

Bowling Area

Game Zone

Billiards

Massage Chairs

Dance Revo

Bowling Area

Maxene in one of the massage chairs

I tried the massage chairs for PHP20 (6 minutes). I highly recommend it for those who just need a quick relaxation. I wished though I have put in PHP50 for 15min. :-) Will try uli next time.

They also have a snack bar, not sure about the offers and prices.

Well, it's a good place for barkada's to hang out and for families to bond.

Photo Dump

I've been busy still, so I cannot find time to share my thoughts and heart lately. I think I should MAKE time instead of finding one.

But for the meantime, will dump photos with short kwentos in here:

Our latest addiction- Soy Yummy.

The Choice Shorts

Kwento: We passed by the Kid's Clothes section at SM Soutmall. She saw the shorts (khaki shorts she's wearing above), grabbed it and insisted on buying it for her. Imagine a 2 year old throwing tantrums at the store when I refused to buy it. She charmed her Dad though. It was his birthday that day and he ended up buying a gift for her daughter. :-)