COOL BREEZE

Feeling cool and refresh today, I thank God for the good sleep I had this afternoon. I was worried that I might not get the rest that I wanted when I thought of the heat covering the room during midday. But blessing came, I was saved from opening the air-conditioner as the wind blow and the weather went shady. The wind  makes my curtain dance freely , giving time to replace the humid temperature inside my room , and producing my fan a cool air.

It's a blessing to experience a windy afternoon ,specially when you have prepare yourself of the heat you sure, be feeling for the day. But God is great, the wind blew. Sunshine did not boast it brilliant light. My bed has become a precious possession sleep was rewarding, and so the day was lovelier than yesterday.

GOOD NEWS IN GOD'S TIME

Just as I am about to re charge my phone , when I saw my cell phone remind me of my callers name. I know it was my Late landlords partner whom I heard is the new manager for the apartment I am occupying. She informed me that even without Mang Danny, she will continue to use the number of the phone. She was more open and professional now and friendly to talk, unlike my first year of stay here, I guess this is what they say that, everyone changes for good and I am happy that she was now a change one. She also acknowledge my on time payment which I take as a compliment though in reality I am just doing my responsibility as their tenant. Here now is the good part, when I ask if its possible that they increase my rent every other year , she agree and was very much accommodating, Thank God, It was a big relief on my part and to my sister as well. I have been praying for that for years now, and truly God heard my prayer, amazing.

LEAD ME TO THE CROSS

It's been two days now that this song keeps playing  over and over again inside my  head, every time it starts rolling, I'm totally knock off , unashamed to let go of those tears wanting to flow freely.Oh God, I will be forever thankful and grateful for the love poured out, for the blood spilled for my ransom.Bring me to my knees , rid me of myself I belong to you, lead me to the cross, Lord.

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
Te word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart
 _________________

To God be the glory , the honor and the highest praise!

LIFE WHEN IT RAINS

Rainy season is good when your inside your house having a hot choco while you watch your favorite show.So lovely to get lazy all day,the cool breeze of air is inviting to stay in your bed. it makes me smile every time I feel like the weather gets to my favor. But on the other hand, I was rebuked by the fact that, while I am safe and full, relax and comfortable, lots of homeless children out there is suffering the colds and is longing to be dried from the rain. 

Forgive me Lord, if I am selfish, I forgot to consider the feelings of others,and their welfare.I hope that those children who needs comfort to this night will be comforted by God's hand. And may they find peace and have a good rest.And also those family that are struggling right now because of the weather, I thank you Lord, because I know you are going to attend to their needs. You are going to give light to their problems right now. Thank you Lord.

When it rains, it pours. I hope that the kids out there would have the brighter side to look forward amidst the  season.  Situation may be difficult , but it is always your attitude that will determine of the situations state, always find ways to be thankful no matter what.

CLEANING UP THE CLOSET

On leave last week, that was my update last week. I went to attend victory weekend at Pioneer ,Robinsons Mall, the activity was more of spiritual assessment of the past and present practice. I was glad I did the right thing, joining the session. It made me realize how precious I am to God, even if there's nothing be be loved about me, still my God gave his life for the forgiveness of my sin. The gifts the blessings, provision , guidance , healing , unconditional love, out pouring of holy spirit that comes from heaven I could not imagine how loving our God is. 

It was the time of reuniting again with Him, renewing of vows, following His command in order to be prosperous, Oh God, why are you so mindful of us. 

Anger, bitterness,hatred has no room, as the holy spirit was felt in every corner of the room. Forgive and live It was the message I was receiving. After the video clip of God's suffering and sacrifice I burst into tears.Tears of joy and my ever lasting thanks to God. Because my sin was the reason Jesus suffered and die.After finishing the topics in that event, I feel like I was new again.As quoted in the bible, the old has gone the new has come, The joy is contagious in that place that everyone was enjoying in the congregation, It was an awesome experience. Thank you Jesus.

TOMORROW'S ACTIVITY

I decided to take a vacation today so I may have time to reflect and prepare for tomorrows victory weekend that I am to attend together with my friend. At last, we were able to join this quarters activity. I still have readings to do and hand outs to fill out so I hope I can do them tonight. I already have answered some of the hand outs questionnaire but still there's some to be finished yet. I'm a bit tired as I was invited by my cousin to accompanied her to buy some stuff in the mall but I don't think it is an excuse not no finished all the task that I am supposed to do this evening.  I need to rest for awhile then get back to work. I am excited also for tomorrow I am expecting some transformation and outpouring of blessings, and I am as excited also to share it here what tomorrow will have to do with me. For now, I will rest and relax.

THE ENLIGHTENED ONE

An ancient India, a prince named Siddharta had renounced his royal background to become an ascetic, desperately seeking the meaning of life through extreme means such as sitting on thorns or living on a single grain a day. One day, as he meditated by the river , a small boat passed by. On the boat, a zitar player was teaching his young apprentice. "If the string is too tight", said the teacher,  "it will snap. If the string is too loose, it will not make sound." Siddharta opened his eyes and realized that all his efforts were nothing compared to what he had just heard. He realized that if a person were to find the meaning of life, he must not go to the extremes, but pursue a middle path instead. Pursuing a middle path meant following the rules which make up a meaningful life. Siddharta eventually became the Buddha, which means " the Enlightened One". 

(Reference: Find real happiness -William Gracian)

I was reminded by the story because of things that we people often do to be accepted by the society, by our family , in the workplace, at home , by our circle of friends and most of all by God. I don't know if you will agree with me but as far as I have observe, still we do things , activities , rituals like hurting themselves and nailing their body in the cross to become holy and clean again. We somehow missed the point that God has already paid for our sins and there's no need for us again to hang ourselves in the cross to be forgiven. That All He needs  of us is our contrite heart and a broken spirit to repent and we will be again pure and clean in God's presence. May we all find the true meaning of our existence in God's love for us.

STOP AND REST

Today's technology allows us to work 24/7. We can bring our work home or take it on vacation. We work except for interruption like when electricity goes off. During the typhoon, more people was interrupted from their work and can't do something inside their houses, leaving people unable to accomplish anything that required electricity. Can you imagine how important work for is ?, without it some people may feel unimportant, unproductive, and useless. But thanks be to God as he doesn't want work to be that important to us. and so we don't need a power outage to get us to stop. In the Old Testament, God had plan for getting His people to stop and pay attention to Him. It was called Sabbath. Practicing a day of rest can keep us from the belief that our work is more important than God.

PATIENCE IS STARTING TO WORK

Am not sure if my writing it here is good, but I just want to share the disappointment I have for this one person that I am also considering a good good friend, a good companion , teacher and a confidante. Lately, this person seems to be very busy that those allotted time for me has been the least of the priority. Of course I feel like a reserve, but somehow my mind says, I should understand and extend patience as long as I could. I might ruin the friendship the relationship if I make the person realize of being so carefree.

But thank God, and thank you to the church I am attending right now, thank you for the inspiring words I am hearing everywhere. If the person keeps on disappointing me, I must not dwell with it, just pray for the person and keep the focus on God, my motivation right now is God, why? because every time I remember how, He patiently wait for me, despite my so many excuses, He is still there for me, understanding me and listening to me. Forgiving me and continuously loving me. Suddenly those disappointment I have for that person, melt down like a butter. And I greatly believe this has to do with the power of prayer and God's grace .Even my close friend are noticing how I react on situation right now,the goodness inside me is working.What a break through.

START THE DAY RIGHT

Today and everyday is always a good day. I start  my day with a short time devotion of praying, talking to God. I've been this habit for more than a year now. A morning devotion of bible reading ,but from time to time,my laziness strikes, so I go on my thing and  never mind my devoted little time with Him. I am just amazed how good God is, because even if I set Him, aside He is still there to protect me and guide me. Not just me, my family is guarded also, with His mercy and caring hand. 

I greatly believe , it is really important to start the day  in God's presence and ending the day with thank and praise. The world have become pathetic, just imagine how God spare us everyday from those bad elements roaming everywhere, accident could happen as fast as the blink of an eye, and  we could be one of those unlucky souls fooled by evil spirits , but do you believe, that because your developing a constant relationship with God, you where able to arise and  a conquer Thank you Lord, for the safe travel I have everyday, thank you for the food that I ate more than three times a day, many thank you.

LUCKY TO WIN

Christmas season is one of the events for the year we all look forward, especially on some employees like my sister in law, Why ? because every year Christmas party in their company, she is always one of the lucky person to take home one of the major prizes being raffled for all the employee, so everyone is hoping that their names be picked up and take home the grand prize. This year, my sister in law was again blessed to take home one the monitors as part of the raffle prizes. She was happy to be called in the raffle again for this year, I was  impressed to see her prize  and  happy for her, God, is  so good.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GIFTS AND PRAYERS

I want to thank all the people who are closed and not so close to me that had make me part of their blessings. Thank you for all the gifts and prayers, guys. I know because you have pray for my health, my success, my spiritual growth and my purpose, God is working inside me now. And because you have also pray for my loved ones and their health, I believed , it was God who is keeping my family to be well and healthy. Not that rich and not that poor, but we have enough to make our living, thank you Lord. You are so great, and thank you for the cross, because now we are saved and found. Thank you!

NINGAS COGON

I went to church this morning, and the topic was about having the Filipino mindset. It was the last subject that the pastor had discussed for this month. The first week teaching was Kanya- Kanya ( Selfishness) , second week was Crab mentality ( I'm not sure with these, as I am having my memory gap right now, sorry ). Third week was about being Machonurin ( Being a figure head of Man in the family ) and in fourth week, its about ningas cogon . Ningas Cogon , definition is starting something but not finishing it. And our pastor was telling us the negative effect of having this attitude. That we should always take full actions and responsibility on things that we started. On our spiritual battle for example. Pastor Robert sample the life of a christian that is new to the congregation , how the christian flame in worshiping God , but as the years went by, that flame deteriorate, Most of us  get back to our old selves. We are just good on the first round but eventually as we get through in the journey, we quit because we don't like to bear pains. Were only good when we received blessing but are not really open to face trials and pains.  I hope I could post more of this topic on my next update. For now I'll just end up here, happy weekend everyone.

I'M IN AWE!

I woke up late this morning and is feeling well and blessed. I love the day that I would not like to make it pass that I can not utter my thank you with my creator. Thank you God, you are so good and all profound, vast in knowledge and in wisdom. You know everything in me my being is well crafted uniquely, You know my days and you know my trespasses , yet you were always there to forgive and accept me again when I called on You. I thank you Lord for your goodness, for your discipline , for your words , for the situations that are hard yet you allowed it to happen in my life, so I could learn my lesson well.The Lord works out everything for his own ends (pro.16:4). I know my God, will not forsake me and will not longed for my destruction as I am one of His amazing creation. To God be the glory!

MY LOVING GOD

I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord, my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you brought me up from the grave, you spared me from going down into the pit. Sing to the Lord, you saints of his praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment , but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.(Psalm 30-1:5)

This is one of my favorite Psalmist declaration. I could not count anymore how many times did God's favor and power shield me from all the brokenness I've had experienced in life. He brought me up from going from the grave and spared me from going down into the pit. Indeed God, you are All Good, for His anger lasts only a moment , but his favor lasts a lifetime.

SURPRISE ME

This story was taken from Our daily Bread and I would like to share it here also, because I also love surprises.
The story begun when , the author's family went out for an ice cream cone. He said his dad will usually asked his mother what flavor she'd like. And often, His mom would reply , " Surprise me"! And here mother was rarely disappointed  in his fathers choice.

Do you like surprises too? would you ever dare say. " Surprise me!" to God a lot of us are a little scared to do that. Yes we have faith that God is good and that He loves us. Yet we're afraid we won't like what He chooses for us.  I hope everyone will always asked for God's grace to be content with what God gives us.

WHY, OH WHY?

Why must I suffer disappointment , sorrow and tribulation? what have I done that God should send me trials? Is he displeased with me? These questions are constantly asked by God's dear children. 

Our pastor this morning was teaching the congregation about Persecution. He cited some verses in the bible about God's disciples being persecuted because of their faith. According to our Pastor, every christian will suffer persecution from the enemy, and it shall come to pass. Those who believes God and stand firm in their faith to God till  the end of their lives and has suffer persecution in the account of Jesus, will be  blessed and will  receive reward in heaven. But the problem is this, according to our pastor, Christians don't like sufferings, they only desire for peace , prosperity , happiness, so when faced with trials they became back slider. According to him, God suffer persecution , so are those who believes and have put their trust and faith to God. Time will come that our faith will be tested to see if we deserve to share in God's glory.

TIME FOR GOD

I was having a second thought this morning if I am going to attend a church mass today and was about to message my friends that invites me, but I got message from her first, reminding me of our church this morning. So I change my mind and told her that  I will meet them before 11am this morning. 

I remember the lines that I've read 2 days ago, were it says that being interested is different from commitment. Because when you say your interested to do one particular activity, you  do it on your most convenient time.While if your commit to do that particular  activity, irregardless of those hindrances you will still pursue to make it done since you commit yourself to do it. For example: we brush our teeth everyday, so no matter how deep is the night and already comfortable in our bed, we still get up to make it a point that we brush our teeth. Because we committed to having a good practice of body hygiene before we end the night. Relating to the subject, now, as I was weighing it, I realize that reading a bible falls has falls in my interest  and not a commitment,  because most of the time I took it for granted while I make it a point every night that I will have to visit my blogs. I've been unfair with my creature not giving Him the time that He deserves. I hope its not too late for me and for anyone out there to reach out God and commit ourselves in doing works that could give him glory. Amen.