thoughts, thoughts, and more thoughts...

I have been out of work (by choice) since the new year started. However, I am still not able to do some things, which I thought I could, only if I had more time in my hands. Again and again, I have realized that determination plays a big part in accomplishing any task.

With a new book in my life set to uncover in three weeks, I know I should be doing a lot of reading to prepare myself for it. But then, most of the time, I find myself with random thoughts popping up my mind. Let me share them with you...

1. I am grateful that my Mama has imparted to us her faith ever since we were kids. And I am working my way to make that faith clearer and well-grounded. It helps me keep a balance in my life, in general.
2. I need to learn to be more independent. For more than three years now, I have always relied on my husband to drive me to places and to accompany me when I need to get personal things done. What if I need to ride a bus, a tram, or a train all by myself? Travelling will be one of my biggest challenges, that I am sure of!
3. I need to be more confident in dealing with other people... it is never wrong to ask questions when clarification is needed. Oh, and by the way, I have to get used to that new accent! :)
4. How about Mama? Who is gonna spend weekends with her when I leave? It is a pensive thought...

But I should worry no more. I know that things will turn out for the best... and at the end, everybody will be happier! The Lord is in control! :)

resigned

Three weeks ago, I was drafting my resignation letter. And it was just last week that I was able to finalize and print it. However, it was only two hours ago that I was able to hand it to our managing director. I never realized that submitting the letter would be harder than drafting it.

I wasn’t nervous about how my boss would react to my resignation, because I had already informed him four months ago that I would only be staying until this December. I would admit I was really sad leaving the company where I had been working for six years now.

But things happen because they are meant to happen. I am meant to leave the company to experience more somewhere else, and for that, I am truly excited.

I can never tell what is in store for me in the future, but I can only trust that the Lord will always be there to guide me… and I just need to follow.

our timely prayer

Prayer of Spouses for Each Other

Lord Jesus, grant that I and my spouse may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust. Give us the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May we always bear with one another’s weaknesses and grow from each other’s strengths. Help us to forgive one another’s failing and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of the other ahead of self.

May the love that brought us together grow and mature with each passing year. Bring us both ever closer to You through our love for each other. Let our love grow to perfection.

All these we pray in the mighty name of Jesus, AMEN!

Thanks to Kai for sharing this lovely prayer to us.

it comes when i least expect it...

This was supposed to be posted last Tuesday night, after I have cleaned up the house after a mini party with my colleague-friends in celebration of my birthday. It was such a lovely day that I felt so inspired and blessed, that I have written this. However, when I was about to post it, it turned out that I don't have any credit left in my pre-paid Internet connection. I had to wait until I had time again to sign in and post it. And now is the time.

***

GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME. ALL THE TIME... GOD IS GOOD.

Yesterday (Monday), I received a good news, but I was not attentive enough to realize that it was indeed a very good news.

Later this afternoon (Tuesday), when my busy day at the office was about to end, the good news was pressed on me again. This time, I was confronted with the good news in total surprise.

It was around August of 2007 when Husband and I started working out on this thing, which could change our lives and our future. Every step we took, we were able to receive the results earlier than we expected it to come. But the recent good news is the record breaker. We were just expecting for a status report, instead we received another step to take on, which brings us closer to our goal. We have prepared ourselves for this step to come sometime in October this year, but it came just in time for my birthday, which is five months in advance of our set deadline.

I have never doubted God’s faithfulness, but I have learned to be patient when waiting for my prayers to be answered. I have never challenged God. Even at times when I feel disappointed that things don’t go my way, I still remind myself that God’s plan for me is always the best plan. So if a procedure is said to take a year to process, I keep that in mind and patiently wait for the days to pass. Receiving a result that is way ahead of the schedule is truly a blessing for us.

I might have not received my first birthday wish, but the second one, I believe is on its way.

Tonight’s devotion is very timely with the surprise I have just received, that it prompted me to post it to share with those whose faith are probably shaken by their current circumstances. It reads...

***

Trust God’s Ways

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

Did you know a lack of understanding of how God does things can wear you out? If you don’t understand His ways, you could end up fighting and resisting things, thinking they are an attack from the devil, when in reality they are an attempt by the Lord to work something good in your life.

You know God does not do bad things. But sometimes you may fail to realize that everything that feels bad to you is not necessarily bad for you. Reminding yourself that His ways are not your ways will help you trust Him even when your circumstances are hard to understand.

As this busy day comes to a close, just put yourself in the hands of almighty God... and rest in the knowledge that He is good and knows what’s best.

Ending Your Day Right

Joyce Meyer

May 19

believe... things will be fine. :)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

~Philippians 4:4-9~

Have a blessed Sunday!

take care,

I thank God for the year 2008...

As the year 2008 comes to an end, I would like to thank the Lord for everything that has happened in my life, whether good or bad. The good things encouraged me to do better, and the not-so-good ones challenged me to give my best.

To all that I have offended, I apologize. To those who have helped me in any way, thank you all so much. I have survived 2008 because God has blessed me with people like you.

This coming new year 2009, I pray that God will continue to bless me and my family, relatives, friends (cyber ones included of course!), and colleagues with more hope, faith and love that the rest of the new year will be better than ever.

Allow me to share this message I have received from a well-wisher: God is the reason why even in pain we smile... even in sorrow we believe... even in betrayal we trust... and even in fear we continue to fight.

Again, happy new year to all!

men have weaknesses too...

I suddenly remembered this daily devotional I have once read, and thought of sharing it with everyone, especially to the ladies whose partners are going through some difficult times.

***

August 12, 2008

A PLEA FOR UNDERSTANDING

by Charles R. Swindoll
Read Job 2:1--9

I want to confess that for too long in my ministry I took unfair advantage of Job's wife, especially since she was not present to defend herself. I think it was probably due to immaturity on my part. Furthermore, I hadn't been married long enough to know better than to say those things. I cannot leave this one snapshot of Mrs. Job in the story without clarifying the record in her defense.

Now that you've seen the incredible disaster they shared, isn't it a little easier to understand how she could suggest, "Job, darling, let's just pull the plug. Don't go on. You can't keep living like this, I can't stand it. Curse God, and let Him take you home to be with Him." I think so. She's reached her limit and is willing to let him go. I'm not justifying the woman's reasoning as much as trying to understand it.

Always guard your words when your husband is going through terribly hard times. I want to confess something about us men. Mainly, I want you to remember: going through sustained hard times weakens most men. For some reason, hardship seems to strengthen women; we admire you for that. But we men are weakened when times of affliction hit and stay. In our weakened condition we lose our objectivity, sometimes our stability. Our discernment is also skewed. Our determination lags. We become vulnerable, and most men don't know how to handle themselves in a vulnerable state of mind. So in light of all of this---hear me---we need your clear perspective, wisdom, and spiritual strength. Most of all, we need you to pray for us as you've never prayed. We need not only your prayers, we need your emotional support. We need you to take the initiative and step up.

We need your words of confidence and encouragement. We even find it hard to say, "I need you right now." My wife could tell you that she lived with me for our first ten years of marriage before she ever thought I needed her. I finally admitted it and learned how to say it. In the lonely hours of a man's great trial, nobody's words mean more to him than his wife's words. That is one of the God-given reasons you and your partner were called to be together. When we husbands lose our way, you wives help us find our way back.

Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

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prayer

"Anyone who is having troubles should pray.
Anyone who is happy should sing praises."
-James 5:13

Do you want to know how to deepen your prayer life?
Pray. Don't prepare to pray. Just pray.
Don't read about prayer. Just pray.
Don't attend a lecture on prayer or engage in discussion about prayer. Just pray.

Posture, tone, and place are personal matters.
Select the form that works for you. But don't think about
it too much. Don't be so concerned about wrapping the gift
that you never give it. Better to pray awkwardly than not at all.

And if you feel you should only pray when inspired,
that's okay. Just see to it that you are inspired everyday.


by: Max Lucado
Grace for the Moment