Just Thankful

This morning as I woke up, I am greeted by the beautiful smile of my Father and I remember His faithfulness.

I am thankful that…

Butch and I were able to sell our very old car and buy a newer one. We’ve been wanting to get a new car. On- line, Butch saw this 2nd hand car that he thought was a steal for the asking price. We needed the money to buy it so we decided to sell our old car. I thought nobody would be interested in it anymore. Time was running out, we were worried we wouldn’t have the money. But we made a declaration. Butch laid his hands on the computer screen with the car’s picture and prayed “Lord, we claim this car…” I also declared that before the month ends, we would get it. Today is the last day of November and last night, we were able to buy it!

my atopic dermatitis is no longer flaring. Just yesterday, I noticed that my hands, arms and legs no longer have lesions. I guess it just went away! I really thank the Lord for this because it has been very uncomfortable.

Butch and I have has never felt that we lack anything we need. We need loads of cash for the coming baby and I could say, money is not going to be a problem. Also, ever since we got married Butch and I have never fought about having no money.

I have a very loving husband that has been very supportive with my pregnancy. I simply cannot imagine being pregnant without Butch. He supports and takes care of me in every way he possible he could. He massages my aching back, he comforts me when I feel apprehensive about anything, he buys me food I want, and even puts up with my endless whining! I am also happy that my family is with me. My mom, dad, uncle, sisters and adorable nieces.

I eat three healthy meals a day, sometimes even four. I know Nigel will come out strong and healthy because I eat fruits, vegetables, carbs and all the nutrients he needs.

The Lord guides me in His wisdom as I tackle everyday problems. Being in His presence is the most important thing for me. The Lord never promised us a problem less life, but He sure promised to be with us every step of the way. Above all, this is what I am thankful for!

As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, The Lord’s love and faithfulness will endure forever.

Happy Sunday, everyone!

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Second Invitation to the Banquet of the Intimate

This post is by my guest blogger, Julita.

(*the parables stated in this write up is found in Matthew 21:28-46)

Today when I read the parables, I don't only learn a simple moral lesson, ask that you may see through the parable because it has more relevance today than it may ever have in our lifetime. Since the time of waiting grows more intense, a lot of believers tend to do things on their own, planning the future from their logic and wit. Waiting is waiting, it is a time when the voice of God may be rare but it doesn't mean that we can go ahead of Him. In the season of sifting, parables are used so that the true seeker and submission will arise, we learn to break through the bondage of mediocrity. If you receive the invitation ahead of time, it means you are very important, it means you have a role to play. Isn't it that when a friend is holding a wedding the closest ones are the first to know they are invited? They are told ahead of time, even before the invitation is sent out to the public. Many believers will be invited but just like the first parable, not everyone will respond to the call. On the first parable, the first son who refused to obey but eventually changed his mind is the sinner, the ridiculed one whom the church labeled as immoral and hopeless. The second son on the other hand, are the people who are very knowledgeable about the scripture, probably some seminary stand-outs. But because of their knowledge and the height of their self belief, they are not able to grasp the purpose of the invitation. I heard a man say, when he found God the search is over. I think that's a major problem, and it's the problem of many Christians today. When you find God, the search is not over! Seek to know Him more, when you know Him, be intimate with Him, when you become intimate with Him, ask for a marriage! This, this is where the difference lies, many people stop at the knowledge of having God beside them all the time. If your mental attitude today is still "Penge, penge, penge.." ("Can i have this, can i have that, can i have this") Then we have not grown mature in faith. Pag binigay naman ang gusto, hindi pa rin naman lumalalim sa Diyos. (And when we are given what we insist on, did we respond by becoming intimate with the Giver?)

I cannot tell how marvelous it is in the Banquet, it is beyond words but let faith take you there. Blessed are those who did not see and yet believed. The second parable is as important, there is a purpose why this parable was told next after the parable of the two sons. The church - the body of Christ - are the tenants, sometimes we take ownership of a land that are only placed on our stewardship. We enjoy its fruits without sharing the due portion to the owner. We take in glory, build a name for ourselves and "market" our style with advertisements. A true minister is identified by where he points the lost - if he points it to a denomination, a church name, a person that is not Jesus, then i think we have something to remedy. Everything must be directed back to communing with God, and let God take you further. Our church ministers are only ushers, they usher us in, suppose to direct us to God, then let God take your hand and take you further with Him. When the fruits are being asked of us, we attack the servants sent by the owner, we beat them, kill then and stone them. (Matt. 21) But it is written that to those who have been sent but was stoned, they may have been broken to pieces but they will become the capstone, and those that stoned them will be crushed. How do we respond to the invitation? You may say, "I want to come but I don't know how?" Seek Him, don't just seek Him on a Sunday service and don't just seek Him on a cell group or Bible study. That is not seeking, that is expecting. You come to a service or a study expectant to encounter God but it is different when you really stop and push your heart to its limits and knock down the gates of heaven to enter the core of His presence. Those who are truly hungry to experience the Banquet, they are the ones that do not stop, they press on even when it seems hopeless to hear God and you have not a clue what God is saying, they do not stop until God speaks. They knock down the gates of heaven, enter His courts with a stubborn love to offer, crazy kind of love.

What is God doing now? Why are these parables said in such chronological manner? The invitation is not yet finished, trumpets are being sounded again but it is our choice if we respond or not. Some people, when they receive an invitation, they may take it but then lay it down in a corner once they get home. Some take the invitation, read it a little, be thankful for it but they do not value it. Just like the first one, they lay it aside and soon forget about it. Invitations are not usually meant for the public, it is meant for those who are dearest to God, handpicked and chosen. So if you receive an invitation like this from God it means you are very very loved, you are very very important. When you receive an invitation from God, accept it, take it and read it, keep it in your mind and make sure you come. I'll say that again, MAKE SURE YOU COME. The succeeding parable will explain more of the times and seasons. But for now, we may be in an uncomfortable state but the invitation is to give us hope. It's like the daffodil as the first sign of spring.

The chronological order of the parables in the Bible as Jesus told them in the book of Matthew are as relevant as the message in it. He unraveled the the times and season through the parables He told, but the parables in itself has two purposes: it is designed to hide and to reveal. It hides to those who listens only to scrutinize and criticize, it hides from mere spectators but it reveals to those who are seeking. Just as in the first parable, the sinner, the lost, are seeking and soon, the witnesses over us will ask, "They were sinners, outcasts and misfits, BUT DID THEY NOT WENT AHEAD OF THOSE THAT SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER?"

May Christ be in you. God bless.

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Bless the World with One Thing

One day, a bird, a squirrel, a fish and an eel got together and decided to start a school. Naturally, the bird insisted on a flying school. But the squirrel argued for training in perpendicular tree climbing. And the fish, a swimming college.

The heated debate seemed to go on forever until the eel proposed a compromise: Why not let all these things be included in the curriculum?

And so the school formally opened with all the students taking all the courses.

The bird was glorious at flying but a big flop at swimming. It didn’t take long however, for his wings to be damaged by the freestyle and breaststroke; he finally got a C in flying and naturally an F in swimming. The squirrel broke all her bones as he tried flying. (She jumped from the tallest tree she could find and shouted, “Darna”. I didn’t work. She wasn’t in a two-piece.)

And the fish? He couldn’t breathe too well when he tried climbing or flying. Until he got sort of brain damaged and wasn’t even a great swimmer at the end of the semester.

Guess who was the valedictorian of the class?

The eel. He did everything in a half-way fashion. In tree climbing, he sort of squirmed his way up. In swimming, he wiggled in the water. And in flying, well, he jerked. So he got a C in all his courses and ended up highest in the class. ( I got The Animal School story from Leo Buscaglia, in his bestseller, Love, but I couldn’t resist changing and adding a few details.)

Life isn’t about trying to be an expert in everything. It’s about being an expert in one thing and offering it to the world.

I’ve accepted the fact that because I’m human, I’m terrific in one thing, good at some, mediocre at a bit more, and terrible at others. And if your human, you are too. You’ll have to discover the one thing you are good at and major in it.

What primary gifts that God has blessed you with? Answer that question well and you’re one step closer to a life of peace, excitement and joy.

I’ve decided to focus on what I am good at, which is preaching and writing. Come to think of it, I am a very unbalanced creature. I’m pathetic at sports. And at fixing stuff at home. (Even if I have a complete set of tools at home, my favorite is still the telephone so I can call a repairman to fix whatever is broken.) And I don’t think I’ll ever be a Math whiz. Management isn’t my cup of tea. Even pastoring and counseling aren’t adrenaline –pumping events for me.

So I delegate.

But I bless the world with one thing: I communicate to people about love and joy and peace and all the good stuff of life through preaching and writing- hoping to change lives and make this world a better place to live in.
What is your one thing?

-From “YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CREATE LOVE” a book by Bo Sanchez (one one the most inspiring persons I know)

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AUGUST 2008 PROPHECY FOR THE PHILIPPINES (A Word through Prophet Cindy Jacobs)

Lupang Hinirang, Duyan ka ng magiting...

(Chosen Land, You are the cradle of the brave...)

On October 27, 2001 prophet to the nations Cindy Jacobs delivered a very encouraging prophecy about the Philippines. To see that prophecy click here
Much has happened since then. She again prophesied about the Philippines last August. I found this posted in my church's website. I am posting it here because I want all Filipinos here and abroad to read it.

(Courtesy of Intercessors for the Philippines)

THE NEXT TWO YEARS EXTREMELY SIGNIFICANT

You know I love you Philippines. I want you to pray, the next two years, the Lord is showing me, are going to be extremely significant for the Philippines. You're kind of on the cusp of re-civilization, I want to say that, either you're gonna go into greatness, it's going to transform the nation, or I see that there's gonna be some troubled times. So PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! I know you're already praying, but this is the time God is gonna pull down the SPIRIT OF CORRUPTION, and God is going to release the Spirit of truth and righteousness into this nation, because 'Righteousness exalts a nation.'

The Lord is giving MANY PROMISES for the Philippines. I mean the Philippines is going to be ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST NATIONS on the earth. You know I prophesied that there'll be oil found off the coasts of the Philippines, and there's much more to be found, there's gold, the treasures of darkness are there. I remember prophesying in Baguio City that there's going to be treasures of darkness, and it has not been found, they were saved for the Body of Christ. And remember, they found this treasure, the Japanese had buried them on the ground after World War II. That was a sign. What does God mean to do? The SPIRIT OF POVERTY will be broken. I want to say to you, mothers will be able to feed their children, there is going to be a system put in place.

FOR MINDANAO

Even in Mindanao, you know, I've prophesied over Mindanao, and I want to say to you again Mindanao, 'Arise, you are the blue-flamed warriors that I talked about, warriors of fire, warriors that God is going to bring with HOLINESS,' and it's gonna happen. I just see literally THOUSANDS OF MISSIONARIES going out of Mindanao, thousands, thousands. I mean to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Bangladesh, even to India, Central Asia -- Kyrgystan, Kazakhstan. The Lord says, 'I'm a just God,' those places where darkness has tried to grip, where it seems there's been so much desolation, so much poverty, so much sorrow. The Lord says, "I, the Lion of Judah, am going to rise in those darkest places, and bring justice, and the people who were set in darkness will see a great light. But not only see a great light, but be LIGHT-BEARERS to the ends of the earth," says the Lord.

(In view of fighting going on in Mindanao right now) I did not know there was fighting going on in Mindanao right now. I want to say, "Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds." You might say like Jeremiah thought in the Book of Lamentations, "God, You've abandoned us, where are You?" But the Lord says, "Do not lose hope and do not lose heart, because the Lord says 'Mindanao will be transformed. '" Satan is making a last great stand. Satan has come down

with great wrath because he knows his time is short in Mindanao. So RISE UP, even though, you know, it's terrible, and everywhere you look around is devastation, "Out of this darkness is going to come a TRANSFORMATION MOVEMENT that will be shown and modeled around the world," says the Lord.

NATIONAL FAST FOR THE COMING ELECTIONS

You know, the Lord shows me, over the Philippines there is a PRINCIPALITY OF CORRUPTION, and this corruption has been so systemic, and so deep, and this principality thinks it controls the Philippines. But the Lord is showing me that there will be a NATIONAL FAST, praying -- everyone, the north, the south, the east and the west, the whole church, not part of the church, STANDING UP and FASTING and PRAYING. There should not be a day that there isn't fasting going on for the Philippines.
And I am calling you, wherever you are, whoever is hearing my voice, whatever pastor is hearing my voice, whatever youth movement, the Lord is saying, 'LOVE YOUR NATION.' This is a strategic nation. Fast for the elections coming up, cry out to God, that in the next election God is gonna move in a massive way, the spirit of corruption will be broken.
Listen, the last time I was in the Philippines, I prophesied that the fear of the Lord was going to come to the Philippines, and those who tried to participate in corruption, I feared for their lives. After that, two of them died. God isn't just saying these things. He means them. You get your life right, and you have the fear of the Lord in your life. If you tried to corrupt, corrupt God's nation, it's gonna be Acts 5 days of Ananias and Sapphira.

GOD IS GETTING READY TO MOVE AND MARCH THROUGHOUT THE LAND

God is getting ready to move and march throughout the land. He's gonna pull down one and He's gonna set up the other. No longer will His words be delayed over the Philippines. If you stand and pray and you believe, God, the Lion of Judah, is going to arise and shake His mane over the nation, and He's going to roar out of Zion, and the darkness will be dispelled, says the Lord. Wow!

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A thought-provoking poem on parenting

I found this really thought-provoking poem from the book “The Road Less Traveled”. It made me think twice about how I will raise Nigel. After reading it, I seriously wanted to throw away the book. Here’s the poem…

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for

itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrows, which you

cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make

them like you.

For life goes not backwards nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bow from which your children as living

arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,

and He bends you with His might that His arrow may

go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also

the bow that is stable.

-- The Prophet by Alfred A. Knopf

I’ve felt Nigel develop inside me from a tiny embryo to a fetus he is now. Everyday, I feel him growing in my womb as his kicks get stronger. My body goes through difficulties and inevitable changes just to support and nourish his life. Though I know it isn’t possible, there are moments when I want to keep him inside me just to protect him from the harshness of life. Nigel will come out of my own body. For this reason, I can’t help but to see him as an extension of myself. Perhaps this is the reason why I wanted to throw the book away. The poem strongly disagrees with this thinking. Instead, it suggests looking at your child as an individual who has a unique mind, personality and destiny.
Parents sometimes force their kids to pursue the same professions they have even though their kid’s interests and potentials lie somewhere else.

As children, my three sisters and I were forced by my parents to have piano lessons. I think learning to play a musical instrument was my mom’s childhood frustration. I absolutely had no interest in it. I dreaded Saturday mornings when the piano teacher came.

Some parents even put all their hopes in them. My mom’s masseuse seems to have this thinking. A single mom, she has four small kids and is already having a really hard time providing their basic needs. Then, she became pregnant to her fifth child. Out of concern, we suggested that she has the baby adopted. Her brother refused saying that the baby might be “lucky”. That he might be the one to get them out of their poverty. Her brother’s reason appalled me. Why would you put such burden to a child? Did God not give you the strength and the ability to get yourself out of such situation?

I want Nigel to be the best person he can be. I want him to find his God-given potentials early on in life so he can use it and be fulfilled. I will love him unconditionally and support whatever he chooses to pursue. I am totally clueless about being a parent. But with the Lord’s guidance and grace I know I can do it.

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I seriously don’t like her…

She has three children all having different fathers. In the afternoons, she hangs around the males wearing the shortest and skimpiest clothes. I didn’t like her.


As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. But once in a while, I met people I just don’t like. I am guilty of this. And unfortunately I’ve participated in people’s discussion who shares the same dislike for that person. I got convicted. Then, I ask,

“Lord, how shall I respond to the dislike I feel for this person?”
“Look at her heart, Wendy…” was His answer.

Then, I remembered the Samaritan woman Jesus spoke with near the Well of Jacob (John 4:1-26). Without hesitation, He asked the sinful woman who had many husbands for a drink. The woman knew very well that speaking with a Jew was tabooed, much more a man. She could have just ignored Jesus and went away. But there was something about Jesus that compelled her to stay.

I also remembered how Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector (Matthew 9:9) and Peter the fisherman (Matthew 4:18-20) to join Him in ministry. I imagine Matthew going about his task of harassing Jews to pay their taxes. Then, from somewhere Jesus came, looked Matthew in the eyes with the most penetrating look and says “Follow me…” without hesitation he left what he was doing and went with Jesus. The same thing happened with Peter. He left his life as a fisherman and followed Christ as if He had been waiting for Him. Why wouldn’t they? There was something about this miracle worker that intrigued them. He had the answers to their questions. They knew He was the One.


Jesus had a way with people. He mesmerized them. His mere presence was refreshing and healing and very miraculous! He saw right through the underlying causes of any person’s behavior. He saw their hearts.


He looked beyond the sin of the Samaritan woman, Peter or the cruelty of Matthew, instead He saw their hearts and its brokenness- a heart like everybody else’s has been beaten and battered by life’s cruel circumstances. A heart that once hoped but was disappointed by the very people they trusted and loved. I believe all of us are born with a pure heart. But somewhere along the way, we are hurt in our innocence, forcing us to harden ourselves as a defense against this unkind world. A wife batterer doesn’t become one overnight. He probably experienced the same violence from his own parent.


We all have wounds we need to heal from.


Jesus’ message of the Kingdom of God targets the heart, transforms the mind thus changing the person’s life. The incredible unconditional love of the Lord empowers the believer.


Later on, I found out some things about this person I disliked. I discovered a bit of her past that somehow explained her behavior. She too is hurt and has a broken heart. She needs the healing love of Jesus. And who is responsible for showing her Jesus- me.


Focusing on a person’s brokenness instead of their wrongdoings makes it easier to understand them. These days, when I see her or think about her I remind myself that I need to show her love. I asked the Lord to forgive me for being so judgmental. As I show her the kindness and love I can afford to give, I am hoping and praying that I can lead her to Jesus, He who could totally heal and change her.

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8 Random Facts about me, an award and a friendship tag

Lainy tagged me! She’s asking me to give 8 random facts about myself. I think I’ve done this tag long ago but there’s no harm in doing it again right? So here it is…

1. I have a small scar on my chin. I got it when I was about 5 years old. I was trying to get a ball I was playing with under a table. My chin hit the corner of the table causing it to bleed! I remember my dad picking me up while I was crying and the blood was all over the floor.

2. I started wearing glasses when I was in the 6th grade. Prior to that, I had difficulty copying words from the blackboard. I always had wrong spellings. While my mom inspected my notebooks, she would scold me because of the misspelled words. That started in the 1st grade. I never had the problem again when I started wearing glasses.

3. I used t have a lisp when I was a kid. Good thing I outgrew it.

4. I took up B.S. Social Work in college. I never really worked as a social worker. My first real job was a call center agent.

5. Once a month I need to visit my allergy specialist to get my allergy shots. This helps control my atopic dermatitis. In fact I will go later after I post this blog entry.

6. Besides writing and blogging, I also like arts and crafts. My favorite craft would be decoupage.

7. Before I got married, I wanted to have a daughter as my first child. I was thinking of naming her “Darlene” (such a nice name). But when I got pregnant, my gut feeling was really telling me that I am going to have a boy. And I was right.

8. I used to hate shopping as a teen-ager. I asked my sister (who loves to shop) to buy me the things I need.These days, like any other girl I love to shop!

Another tag! This time it’s a friendship tag from Enid. Here it is…

And finally an award! I got the Butterfly Award from Sonya. Here it is…

I would like to tag…
Mel to give 8 random facts about himself
Mari for the friendship tag
And give Nancy the Butterfly Award!

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Top Droppers for the month of October

Here are From the Eyes of my Heart’s top droppers for the month of October…

14 year old tech guru -31
Mommy's Little Corner 30
Everything under the sun 30
Computer aid 30
moms check nyo
stay at home mom 30
HRM business practices and notes 30
SFV blog 30
My daily discourse 30
History and travels 30

Thank you so much for the visits! More power to your blogs and God bless =)

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Learning to walk on water

"25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Matthew 14:22-32

In the midst of the storm, the disciples did not recognize Jesus. In fact they thought he was a ghost. Facing the storms in life, I sometimes feel as though God has deserted me. I think even Jesus felt this way at one point. I remember the time when He said “My God my God why have you forsaken me?”(Matthew 27:46). This happened just before he breathed his last on the cross. Times like these, it seems God’s love and mercy is nowhere to be found. But the truth is, God is present in the midst of any storm we face in life just as Jesus was with His disciples during the storm. We all know what happened to Jesus. He may have died but he resurrected on the third day. God was still in control and everything went according to plan. Let us recognize the hand of the Lord in every situation we face- whether be good or bad. After all, nothing happens to us He did not allow.

I get so overwhelmed with certain things I have to face everyday. I find myself saying, “Can I really handle this? The situation seems impossible” I know many of us are going through this too. But I choose to see Jesus in each of them. They say it is scientifically impossible to walk on water. But Peter did it with Jesus. Though I may feel that the situation I face is impossible to overcome I know as I hold on to Jesus I can face any storm. I just need to take Jesus’ hand and together we will and do the “impossible”. I will be “walking on water” with Jesus as we tackle the problem together. Every circumstance we face is an opportunity for us to see who God is and what He can do. Once we realize this we feel confident to face any problem. We reach out to Jesus and take His hand just like how Peter stepped out of the boat unto the lake.

Are you facing an overwhelming circumstance? Don’t be afraid of this storm. Jesus is in it. Step out of the boat and take Jesus’ hand, together you will overcome this problem and do the impossible just like walking on water.

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