For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Wish you have a wonderful and joyful celebration of Jesus' birthday and God's peace for the New Year.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Maligayang Pasko!
John 3:16 says,
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Wish you have a wonderful and joyful celebration of Jesus' birthday and God's peace for the New Year.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Wish you have a wonderful and joyful celebration of Jesus' birthday and God's peace for the New Year.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Persevering Through Pressure
by Charles R. Swindoll
Hebrews 6:18
Doubts often steal into our lives like termites into a house. These termite-like thoughts eat away at our faith. Usually, we can hold up pretty well under this attack. But occasionally, when a strong gale comes along---a sudden, intense blast---we discover we cannot cope. Our house begins to lean. For some people it completely collapses. It is during these stormy times, during the dark days and nights of tragedy and calamity, that we begin to feel the destructive effects of our doubts---running like stress fractures through the structure of our lives.
For me, there are three times when the intensity of doubt reaches maximum proportions.
One such time is when things I believe should never happen, occur. There are times when my loving, gracious, merciful, kind, good, sovereign God surprises me by saying yes to something I was convinced He would say no to. When bad things happen to good people.
I once received a letter from a woman who heard a talk I had given entitled "Riding Out the Storm." Little did she know how meaningful it would be to her. Just as she was entering into the truth of that message, she arrived at home to discover that her young, recently married daughter had been brutally murdered.
Why did God say yes to that? Why did that bad thing happen to that good person? The effect of such termites within our soul is great. They eat away at us, and doubt wins a hearing.
Doubts also increase when things I believe should happen, never occur (the other side of the coin). When I expected God to say yes but He said no. Numerous parents of young men and women have said good-bye and sent their children away to war, convinced God would bring them home again. But sometimes He says no.
Joni Eareckson Tada (and a thousand like her) trust confidently for awhile that the paralysis will go away---that God will say, "Yes, I'll get you through this. I'll teach you some deep lessons, and then I will use you with full health in days to come as I heal you completely." But God ultimately says no. When we expect Him to say yes and He says no, doubts multiply.
The third situation in which doubts grow takes place when things that I believe should happen now, occur much, much later. Of all the doubts which creep into our soul perhaps few are more devastating than those that happen when we are told by God, in effect. "Wait, wait, wait, wait . . . wait . . . wait!" All of us have wrestled greatly with His timing.
These "pressure points" provide a perfect introduction to the verses in Hebrews 6. This is that great chapter that begins with a strong warning, continues with words of affirmation, and closes with words of reassurance and ringing confidence. It addresses the Christian hanging on by his fingernails as he feels himself sliding down the hill. It shouts: "Persevere! Hang tough! Be strong! Don't quit!" Even when God says no, and you expected yes. Even when He says yes, and you anticipated no. And especially when He says to wait, and you expected it now.
If you're in that painful space right now, my word for you is: persevere! Hope in God---this is not the end.
Hebrews 6:18
Doubts often steal into our lives like termites into a house. These termite-like thoughts eat away at our faith. Usually, we can hold up pretty well under this attack. But occasionally, when a strong gale comes along---a sudden, intense blast---we discover we cannot cope. Our house begins to lean. For some people it completely collapses. It is during these stormy times, during the dark days and nights of tragedy and calamity, that we begin to feel the destructive effects of our doubts---running like stress fractures through the structure of our lives.
For me, there are three times when the intensity of doubt reaches maximum proportions.
One such time is when things I believe should never happen, occur. There are times when my loving, gracious, merciful, kind, good, sovereign God surprises me by saying yes to something I was convinced He would say no to. When bad things happen to good people.
I once received a letter from a woman who heard a talk I had given entitled "Riding Out the Storm." Little did she know how meaningful it would be to her. Just as she was entering into the truth of that message, she arrived at home to discover that her young, recently married daughter had been brutally murdered.
Why did God say yes to that? Why did that bad thing happen to that good person? The effect of such termites within our soul is great. They eat away at us, and doubt wins a hearing.
Doubts also increase when things I believe should happen, never occur (the other side of the coin). When I expected God to say yes but He said no. Numerous parents of young men and women have said good-bye and sent their children away to war, convinced God would bring them home again. But sometimes He says no.
Joni Eareckson Tada (and a thousand like her) trust confidently for awhile that the paralysis will go away---that God will say, "Yes, I'll get you through this. I'll teach you some deep lessons, and then I will use you with full health in days to come as I heal you completely." But God ultimately says no. When we expect Him to say yes and He says no, doubts multiply.
The third situation in which doubts grow takes place when things that I believe should happen now, occur much, much later. Of all the doubts which creep into our soul perhaps few are more devastating than those that happen when we are told by God, in effect. "Wait, wait, wait, wait . . . wait . . . wait!" All of us have wrestled greatly with His timing.
These "pressure points" provide a perfect introduction to the verses in Hebrews 6. This is that great chapter that begins with a strong warning, continues with words of affirmation, and closes with words of reassurance and ringing confidence. It addresses the Christian hanging on by his fingernails as he feels himself sliding down the hill. It shouts: "Persevere! Hang tough! Be strong! Don't quit!" Even when God says no, and you expected yes. Even when He says yes, and you anticipated no. And especially when He says to wait, and you expected it now.
If you're in that painful space right now, my word for you is: persevere! Hope in God---this is not the end.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
P Wife-Strong Marriage
This article is from the Peter's Wife website. It's helpful e.
October, 2009
Let’s consider what is important in a marriage– the non-negotiable needs for a successful marriage, whether at home or living cross culturally.
My husband describes marriage love with a bull’s eye diagram. The outer ring, he calls the fence. It is covenant love. This is the promise we make at our wedding to love, no matter what circumstances may befall. It is the love that we reaffirm every time we choose to do the loving thing for our spouse. It is laying down our lives one moment at a time for the one we vowed to love. Fence love sustains us when the storms of life threaten to swamp us.
The middle ring he calls the friendship. This is the love of true companionship: our common interests; our shared joys and sorrows. It is the time we spend with each other– learning, sharing, and caring. If it grows it sweetens all of our relationship. If it shrinks, through neglect, or turns bitter and unforgiving, our marriage dies.
The innermost ring he calls the fire. This is sexual love. As long as the fire is inside the covenant and friendship of marriage, it is safe. The Creator wisely placed sexual love in a context where it is protected by a covenant and enriched by our companionship. Outside of the other two loves, it is a dangerous wildfire that promises a thrill, but always destroys. Sexual love is exciting and adds spark to our relationship. It will change in intensity and frequency over the years, but it can remain a vital part of a healthy marriage most of our lives together.
With the fence, friendship, and fire of marriage in mind, let’s consider ways to strengthen friendship in marriage.
Forgiveness. In our experience working with couples, the strongest marriage tonic is forgiveness. Couples who have learned the art of asking and granting forgiveness have the healthiest marriages. The shorter the length of time the acids of hurt and resentment eat at the relationship, the more effective is the neutralizing effect of forgiveness. Take seriously the injunction to never let the sun set on your anger, and you will not live with the tension of unforgiven hurts. Only two times in 39 years of marriage have we let anger simmer overnight. We remember because of the strain between us the following day. By the time we dealt with the problem, we couldn’t remember the original offense because so many other irritations had gathered in the stew of wounded feelings.
Friendship requires time. We cannot have a friend if we won’t spend time together. No matter what the culture of the place you are serving, no matter the pressures of your team, no matter what, you must take time with your husband for the sake of your marriage. You may have to explain to the nationals or to your team members why you are taking time to spend as a couple, but in the long-run they will be impressed by the strength and health of your marriage. Take some time every day, a longer block of time each week, and day or so each month as a minimum.
One of our greatest concerns for the pastors in our host country is their lack of family time. They have let their people think they are available 24/7. As a result, every conversation is interrupted by some “need” of the people they serve. There is never a time they can relax and know it is just for them to laugh or play or cuddle or cry together. The building blocks of marriage are scattered and shattered. It is no wonder to us that many of their marriages are broken or crumbling.
Friendship thrives with thoughtfulness. Thoughtfulness asks, “How can I make life easier for you?” My husband shows his thoughtfulness by his phone calls. He calls while he’s out shopping to see if there is anything else I want at the store, when he’s going to be later than expected, and sometimes just to say, “I was thinking about you.” Thoughtfulness is taking into account how our actions affect those around us. Thoughtfulness makes even the most difficult times more enjoyable. Making a habit of thoughtfulness makes our spouse feel important, remembered, and loved.
Friendship is strengthened by thankfulness. We can so easily take our husband for granted. Thankfulness is the answer. Strong marriages are full of quick thank-yous and occasional bigger displays of thanks. Thank him for thoughtful things he says or does. Thank your husband for things he does occasionally that you would like him to do more. Make sure your thanks are more frequent than complaints. Thankfulness is also the antidote to longing for what you don’t have. Being thankful for what you do have keeps you too busy to pine over the unattainable.
A widower once said, “Make sure you say thanks now because the time may come when you can’t say it.” I think that goes for more than just thanks. Marriages grow strong and healthy on encouraging words. A tender word spoken at the right time can help your husband cope with weights he has carried home with him.
So when we see a strong and healthy marriage, we see a couple who have learned to treat each other with forgiveness, thoughtfulness, and thankfulness. They spend time together because they enjoy each other’s company. All couples have periods of stress, but successful couples see their relationship as a haven.
Take a step today toward a stronger marriage. Let’s have marriages that beat the odds. To read more, go to this link: Growing a Great Marriage on Intermin.org.
________________________________________
Intermin.org
Intermin.org has help for marriage and parenting in English, Simplified and Traditional Mandarin, and Spanish. You will find excellent resources on marriage and family issues. Why not take some time to browse the wealth of information available for you and for you to use with the people you serve?
________________________________________
First Steps Today
First Steps began in July, 2006, as a monthly bulletin. Each issue includes the major developmental milestones for that month, ways parents can help their baby develop, what to expect next, articles of interest for the parents, and a prayer. First Steps month-by-month bulletins are available for you to download and send to new moms you know.
Are you a mom with a baby yourself and would like to have First Steps emailed to you month-by-month? Write and ask for First Steps at: diane@firststepstoday.com
First Steps Today is a new website launched especially for moms with babies and young children. Hot Topics for discussion and Ask Questions are there to provide opportunity for interactive help. We have Resources and Links to reliable sources too. Come check us out at: First Steps Today
October, 2009
Let’s consider what is important in a marriage– the non-negotiable needs for a successful marriage, whether at home or living cross culturally.
My husband describes marriage love with a bull’s eye diagram. The outer ring, he calls the fence. It is covenant love. This is the promise we make at our wedding to love, no matter what circumstances may befall. It is the love that we reaffirm every time we choose to do the loving thing for our spouse. It is laying down our lives one moment at a time for the one we vowed to love. Fence love sustains us when the storms of life threaten to swamp us.
The middle ring he calls the friendship. This is the love of true companionship: our common interests; our shared joys and sorrows. It is the time we spend with each other– learning, sharing, and caring. If it grows it sweetens all of our relationship. If it shrinks, through neglect, or turns bitter and unforgiving, our marriage dies.
The innermost ring he calls the fire. This is sexual love. As long as the fire is inside the covenant and friendship of marriage, it is safe. The Creator wisely placed sexual love in a context where it is protected by a covenant and enriched by our companionship. Outside of the other two loves, it is a dangerous wildfire that promises a thrill, but always destroys. Sexual love is exciting and adds spark to our relationship. It will change in intensity and frequency over the years, but it can remain a vital part of a healthy marriage most of our lives together.
With the fence, friendship, and fire of marriage in mind, let’s consider ways to strengthen friendship in marriage.
Forgiveness. In our experience working with couples, the strongest marriage tonic is forgiveness. Couples who have learned the art of asking and granting forgiveness have the healthiest marriages. The shorter the length of time the acids of hurt and resentment eat at the relationship, the more effective is the neutralizing effect of forgiveness. Take seriously the injunction to never let the sun set on your anger, and you will not live with the tension of unforgiven hurts. Only two times in 39 years of marriage have we let anger simmer overnight. We remember because of the strain between us the following day. By the time we dealt with the problem, we couldn’t remember the original offense because so many other irritations had gathered in the stew of wounded feelings.
Friendship requires time. We cannot have a friend if we won’t spend time together. No matter what the culture of the place you are serving, no matter the pressures of your team, no matter what, you must take time with your husband for the sake of your marriage. You may have to explain to the nationals or to your team members why you are taking time to spend as a couple, but in the long-run they will be impressed by the strength and health of your marriage. Take some time every day, a longer block of time each week, and day or so each month as a minimum.
One of our greatest concerns for the pastors in our host country is their lack of family time. They have let their people think they are available 24/7. As a result, every conversation is interrupted by some “need” of the people they serve. There is never a time they can relax and know it is just for them to laugh or play or cuddle or cry together. The building blocks of marriage are scattered and shattered. It is no wonder to us that many of their marriages are broken or crumbling.
Friendship thrives with thoughtfulness. Thoughtfulness asks, “How can I make life easier for you?” My husband shows his thoughtfulness by his phone calls. He calls while he’s out shopping to see if there is anything else I want at the store, when he’s going to be later than expected, and sometimes just to say, “I was thinking about you.” Thoughtfulness is taking into account how our actions affect those around us. Thoughtfulness makes even the most difficult times more enjoyable. Making a habit of thoughtfulness makes our spouse feel important, remembered, and loved.
Friendship is strengthened by thankfulness. We can so easily take our husband for granted. Thankfulness is the answer. Strong marriages are full of quick thank-yous and occasional bigger displays of thanks. Thank him for thoughtful things he says or does. Thank your husband for things he does occasionally that you would like him to do more. Make sure your thanks are more frequent than complaints. Thankfulness is also the antidote to longing for what you don’t have. Being thankful for what you do have keeps you too busy to pine over the unattainable.
A widower once said, “Make sure you say thanks now because the time may come when you can’t say it.” I think that goes for more than just thanks. Marriages grow strong and healthy on encouraging words. A tender word spoken at the right time can help your husband cope with weights he has carried home with him.
So when we see a strong and healthy marriage, we see a couple who have learned to treat each other with forgiveness, thoughtfulness, and thankfulness. They spend time together because they enjoy each other’s company. All couples have periods of stress, but successful couples see their relationship as a haven.
Take a step today toward a stronger marriage. Let’s have marriages that beat the odds. To read more, go to this link: Growing a Great Marriage on Intermin.org.
________________________________________
Intermin.org
Intermin.org has help for marriage and parenting in English, Simplified and Traditional Mandarin, and Spanish. You will find excellent resources on marriage and family issues. Why not take some time to browse the wealth of information available for you and for you to use with the people you serve?
________________________________________
First Steps Today
First Steps began in July, 2006, as a monthly bulletin. Each issue includes the major developmental milestones for that month, ways parents can help their baby develop, what to expect next, articles of interest for the parents, and a prayer. First Steps month-by-month bulletins are available for you to download and send to new moms you know.
Are you a mom with a baby yourself and would like to have First Steps emailed to you month-by-month? Write and ask for First Steps at: diane@firststepstoday.com
First Steps Today is a new website launched especially for moms with babies and young children. Hot Topics for discussion and Ask Questions are there to provide opportunity for interactive help. We have Resources and Links to reliable sources too. Come check us out at: First Steps Today
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 8 '09 --- I am 5! - Diam
'Nobody nobody but you'
No party no party just play:) ... but 'have a very BIG free pizza!
It's my birthday too!?!?! - Gem
I have special gifts (story books and Sid from Ice Age!)
Thank you Lord, I had a great day with papa, mama, Gem & tito JetPlane!
No party no party just play:) ... but 'have a very BIG free pizza!
It's my birthday too!?!?! - Gem
I have special gifts (story books and Sid from Ice Age!)
Thank you Lord, I had a great day with papa, mama, Gem & tito JetPlane!
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Butterfly And The Flower
GOD always does things right!
His way is ALWAYS the best way, even if to us it seems all wrong.
If you asked God for one thing & received another, TRUST.
You can be sure that He will always give you what you need at the appropriate time.
God never fails to grant our petitions, so keep on going for Him without doubting or murmuring.
Today’s THORN...
Is tomorrow’s FLOWER!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
How To Cope When God Seems Absent
This morning on my way to work, i noticed a big sign along Commonwealth Avenue saying "To the victims of typhoon Ondoy, there is HOPE...nothing is impossible.
Very true! with God of course.
I hope you will be encouraged and reminded of the short article below - not just this time but everytime we experience the real 'typhoons' in our daily lives. Cheer up!
Blessings to everyone.
God has promised that He will always be present with you, but knowing that doesn't always make you feel better when you can't sense Him nearby. During times when God seems absent, you may feel despair. But there is always hope you can cling to - even in the middle of a void.
Here are some ways you can cope when it seems as if God isn't there:
* Realize that sometimes God deliberately chooses to stop communicating with people for a season, to accomplish certain purposes in their lives. Know that there's a reason why God isn't responding to you right now, but don't assume that He's punishing you. There are many positive reasons why God chooses to be silent for a time.
* Remember the joy of sensing God's presence with you in the past, through answered prayers, encounters with His Holy Spirit, and more. Thank God for His work in your life and continue praying regularly, even if you don't sense answers right away.
* Study your motives for communicating with God, what you expect from Him, and why. Ponder your relationship with God and think about ways you can focus more on who He is rather than just on what you would like from Him.
* Read Scripture passages that describe various aspects of God's character - such as His love, or His wisdom - and assure yourself that God will always interact with you in ways that reflect that perfect character.
* Be diligent about seeking God. Don't give up asking Him to respond to you, and know that He eventually will do so. If you have grown complacent in your relationship with God, let this experience ignite a new passion in
you to pursue Him more.
* Don't try to force God to respond to you. Instead, accept that you can't manipulate Him, and that He doesn't owe you anything. Embrace the deep, unconditional love that He freely gives, and ask Him to forgive you for trying to rely on your own power rather than His in any situation. Give God control of all aspects of your life and embrace the grace He
offers you.
* Allow yourself to feel the pain the void has created, because by experiencing it, you can be transformed.
* Focus on others as much as you can - praying for them and serving them. This will help you not to dwell too much on your own pain. And God might choose to meet you in the midst your service.
* Ask God to heal every part of you - even parts that you don't know need to be healed, or don't want to submit to Him.
* As you wait for God to speak to you again, rearrange your priorities according to how you can best seek God. Be patient, and in time, you'll encounter Him again.
Adapted from Seeking God's Hidden Face: When God Seems Absent, copyright
2001 by Cecil Murphey. Published by InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove,
Ill., www.ivpress.com, 1-800-843-4587.
Very true! with God of course.
I hope you will be encouraged and reminded of the short article below - not just this time but everytime we experience the real 'typhoons' in our daily lives. Cheer up!
Blessings to everyone.
God has promised that He will always be present with you, but knowing that doesn't always make you feel better when you can't sense Him nearby. During times when God seems absent, you may feel despair. But there is always hope you can cling to - even in the middle of a void.
Here are some ways you can cope when it seems as if God isn't there:
* Realize that sometimes God deliberately chooses to stop communicating with people for a season, to accomplish certain purposes in their lives. Know that there's a reason why God isn't responding to you right now, but don't assume that He's punishing you. There are many positive reasons why God chooses to be silent for a time.
* Remember the joy of sensing God's presence with you in the past, through answered prayers, encounters with His Holy Spirit, and more. Thank God for His work in your life and continue praying regularly, even if you don't sense answers right away.
* Study your motives for communicating with God, what you expect from Him, and why. Ponder your relationship with God and think about ways you can focus more on who He is rather than just on what you would like from Him.
* Read Scripture passages that describe various aspects of God's character - such as His love, or His wisdom - and assure yourself that God will always interact with you in ways that reflect that perfect character.
* Be diligent about seeking God. Don't give up asking Him to respond to you, and know that He eventually will do so. If you have grown complacent in your relationship with God, let this experience ignite a new passion in
you to pursue Him more.
* Don't try to force God to respond to you. Instead, accept that you can't manipulate Him, and that He doesn't owe you anything. Embrace the deep, unconditional love that He freely gives, and ask Him to forgive you for trying to rely on your own power rather than His in any situation. Give God control of all aspects of your life and embrace the grace He
offers you.
* Allow yourself to feel the pain the void has created, because by experiencing it, you can be transformed.
* Focus on others as much as you can - praying for them and serving them. This will help you not to dwell too much on your own pain. And God might choose to meet you in the midst your service.
* Ask God to heal every part of you - even parts that you don't know need to be healed, or don't want to submit to Him.
* As you wait for God to speak to you again, rearrange your priorities according to how you can best seek God. Be patient, and in time, you'll encounter Him again.
Adapted from Seeking God's Hidden Face: When God Seems Absent, copyright
2001 by Cecil Murphey. Published by InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove,
Ill., www.ivpress.com, 1-800-843-4587.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Tea Cup
There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores.
They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups.
This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.
One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup.
They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful."
As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke.
"You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup.
There was a time when I was red and I was clay.
My master took me and rolled me and
patted me over and over and I yelled out,
"let me alone", but he only smiled, "Not yet."
"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said,
"and suddenly I was spun around and around and around.
Stop it! I'm getting dizzy! I screamed.
But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'
Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat.
I wondered why he wanted to burn me,
and I yelled and knocked at the door.
I could see him through the opening and
I could read his lips as He shook his head, 'Not yet.'
Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool.
'There, that's better,' I said. And he brushed and painted me all over.
The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag.
'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'
Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one.
This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate.
I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried.
All the time I could see him through the
opening nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'
Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it.
I was ready to give up. But the door opened and
he took me out and placed me on the shelf.
One hour later he handed me a mirror and said,
'Look at yourself.And I did. I said,
'That's not me; that couldn't be me.
It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'
'I want you to remember, then,' he said,
'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted,
but if I had left you alone, you'd have dried up.
I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel,
but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.
I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven,
but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.
I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over,
but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened;
you would not have had any color in your life.
And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven,
you wouldn't survive for very long because
the hardness would not have held.
Now you are a finished product.
You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.
MORAL:
God knows what He's doing (for all of us).
He is the Potter, and we are His clay.
He will mold us and make us,
so that we may be made into a flawless piece
of work to fulfill His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups.
This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.
One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup.
They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful."
As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke.
"You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup.
There was a time when I was red and I was clay.
My master took me and rolled me and
patted me over and over and I yelled out,
"let me alone", but he only smiled, "Not yet."
"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said,
"and suddenly I was spun around and around and around.
Stop it! I'm getting dizzy! I screamed.
But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'
Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat.
I wondered why he wanted to burn me,
and I yelled and knocked at the door.
I could see him through the opening and
I could read his lips as He shook his head, 'Not yet.'
Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool.
'There, that's better,' I said. And he brushed and painted me all over.
The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag.
'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'
Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one.
This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate.
I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried.
All the time I could see him through the
opening nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'
Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it.
I was ready to give up. But the door opened and
he took me out and placed me on the shelf.
One hour later he handed me a mirror and said,
'Look at yourself.And I did. I said,
'That's not me; that couldn't be me.
It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'
'I want you to remember, then,' he said,
'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted,
but if I had left you alone, you'd have dried up.
I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel,
but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.
I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven,
but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.
I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over,
but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened;
you would not have had any color in your life.
And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven,
you wouldn't survive for very long because
the hardness would not have held.
Now you are a finished product.
You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.
MORAL:
God knows what He's doing (for all of us).
He is the Potter, and we are His clay.
He will mold us and make us,
so that we may be made into a flawless piece
of work to fulfill His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Cliffhanger
There is a story of a cliffhanger, determined to reach the summit of a high mountain. After years of preparation, he began his adventure. Only he journeyed alone, because he wanted all the glory.
He began his ascent, and as daylight faded he decided to continue climbing. Night fell. The Night fell heavy as he was overcome by total darkness. The Moonlight and Starlight were hidden within the clouds. There was zero visibility.
He was only a few meters away from the summit when he slipped climbing a ridge and fell off, falling at frightening speed. While falling he could only see shadow like figures in the darkness and felt the tug of gravity sucking him down. In those anguishing moments he saw his life pass before his eyes. He thought death was near when suddenly he felt the tighting of the rope around his waist that tied him to a nail embedded in the rock wall of the mountain.
In desperation, suspended in mid-air he screams
God, please help me!
Then unexpectedly a deep voice from heaven responds:
- What would you have me do?
Save me!
- Do you really think I can save you?
Of course my Lord!
- Well then, cut the rope.
There was a moment of silence, then the man tighten the rope around his waist.
The mountain rescue team tells a story of a man they found frozen to death, his hands wrapped firmly around a rope tied to his waist…
HANGING TWO FEET FROM THE GROUND..
So.. How tight are your ropes? Would you let go?
He began his ascent, and as daylight faded he decided to continue climbing. Night fell. The Night fell heavy as he was overcome by total darkness. The Moonlight and Starlight were hidden within the clouds. There was zero visibility.
He was only a few meters away from the summit when he slipped climbing a ridge and fell off, falling at frightening speed. While falling he could only see shadow like figures in the darkness and felt the tug of gravity sucking him down. In those anguishing moments he saw his life pass before his eyes. He thought death was near when suddenly he felt the tighting of the rope around his waist that tied him to a nail embedded in the rock wall of the mountain.
In desperation, suspended in mid-air he screams
God, please help me!
Then unexpectedly a deep voice from heaven responds:
- What would you have me do?
Save me!
- Do you really think I can save you?
Of course my Lord!
- Well then, cut the rope.
There was a moment of silence, then the man tighten the rope around his waist.
The mountain rescue team tells a story of a man they found frozen to death, his hands wrapped firmly around a rope tied to his waist…
HANGING TWO FEET FROM THE GROUND..
So.. How tight are your ropes? Would you let go?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Ila’s Birthday Blessing!
It’s been quite a while that we didn’t go out as a family, even to a nearby mall! Uh! uh! Well that's life.
But God is good! We are healthy, happy and can still manage to smile. PTL! A week before my birthday, i received an envelope with a note outside of it "have fun as a family". Wow! What a blessing!
And so we did!
But God is good! We are healthy, happy and can still manage to smile. PTL! A week before my birthday, i received an envelope with a note outside of it "have fun as a family". Wow! What a blessing!
And so we did!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The Two-way Street
Friend and Mom, Joyce, passed this on to me and I think it's worth sharing especially for young mothers like me and for aspiring moms as well:)
I am proud that I breastfed Diam for two and a half years, and currently breaftfeeding Gem - he's now 1 year 4 months old.
The Two-way Street
Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J.
The Armed Forces of the United States of America, after intensive investigation for two full years, came to the conclusion that babies, who were nursed at their mother’s breast, never got battle fatigue.
Battle fatigue, during World War I, was known as “shell shock.” It is insanity, brought about by the pressure of war. It was especially terrible because those soldiers who “went off” years later, in civilian life, from shell shock, saw the enemy everywhere. They fought for survival.
In my own home town we had a war hero with a chest full of medals, who was shell shocked. He suffered shell shock in a gas raid.
The signal for the gas raid was four bells. One sunny morning, walking down the main street of our little town, a trolley car passed him. It had a bell. It sounded---four bells. The war hero went wild and killed a storekeeper.
He was not tried for any crime. He was put in an asylum in a padded cell. Our principal newspaper carried an article on the front page, explaining that---when a man is shell shocked and goes off---he goes back into a battle situation where he is surrounded by enemies. He sees no friends anywhere. He fights for survival. And that is how our war hero killed the storekeeper.
The US Army was so disturbed by the high incidence of battle fatigue in World War II that they said to the medical corps: “Find out the cause of this, so that we can defend ourselves against it.”
The medical corps went at it. Their first report was: “It is nothing that we do to these boys! We take two boys from the same town. We feed them the same food. We train them in exactly the same way. We put them in the same battle, under the same pressure and one breaks and the other doesn’t… It is nothing that we do to this boys! It is something that happened to them before we got them!”
Then they investigated the homes from which they came. And they discovered that the boys who nursed at their mother’s breast never got battle fatigue! They were immune. All the boys who came down with battle fatigue were artificially fed!
When they had this finding they did not know what to do with it. They did not release it for two years. During that time they investigated what happened when a mother breastfed her baby.
In the middle of their investigation they felt they had it! It was basic metabolism! The transubstantiation of the food you eat, into your body and blood. They always thought that basic metabolism was determined while the baby was in the womb. But they discovered that it was determined only in the days, and weeks, and months, after delivery!
So they felt that their investigation was over. It was: mother’s milk! They checked this. They took the real mother’s milk with a breast pump, and fed it to her baby in a bottle… It did not work!... The basic metabolism of the baby came out very rocky… Better than if it was purely artificial feeding, but far from normal!
The doctors thought: “What is this? We know it is breastfeeding, but it is not the mother’s milk!”
They got their lead from this: Some babies have insomnia. They lie awake at night, as tense as a drum. You can put these babies to sleep with injections, but the doctors do not want to do this, because the baby is a delicate little instrument. If you put too many chemicals into him, he will die!
In practice, every nurse, in every nursery, knows what to do. She takes the baby from the bassinet, brings him to his mother, and puts him on his mother’s breast. When he is pressed against her, when she is holding him, and talking to him, he relaxes, and he sleeps.
The doctors said: “What is it---about the mother---that does this to the baby?” They investigated this for months. Now they have about five things that they can prove scientifically.
It is the skin of the mommy! The skin of the mother is the sweetest skin in all this world to her baby. It is his safety blanket. That is why a baby, nursing at his mother’s breast, puts his hand on her other breast. The touch of his mommy makes him feel safe and secure.
It is the smell of the mommy! To a baby, the scent of his mother is the sweetest scent in all the world.
It is her heart beat! The beating of her heart is the music of his life. He has been living to the music of his mother for nine months, in her womb. When he is separated from that heart beat, he is frightened!
It is the sound of her voice! Every woman has a frequency. The baby is tuned to that frequency. There is no chemical known to men that can relax a baby so completely as the sound of his mother’s voice.
When the baby breast-feeds, the milk is the best! It is designed for the baby by God! He has the touch of his mother, the scent of her, that sound of her voice, the beating of her heart---everything is right! His basic metabolism comes out “normal,” which is the doctor’s word for “perfect.”
When a baby feeds in a bassinet, with a bottle, the food is only food and it is not as good as it ought to be. He is a delicate little instrument, and every door that slams frightens him. He does not have his mother---the touch of her, the scent of her, the sound of her voice, the beating of her heart. He feeds in panic, in terror. His basic metabolism comes out very rocky. Twenty years later, when these two boys go into battle, the one who fed at his mother’s breast comes out normal. The baby who fed in the bassinet comes out shattered.
When the doctors had this findings, they said: “This we know about war… How much pressure is there, in times of peace? How many boys blow up, who might not have blown up, if they were given a fair start by their mothers?”
What the United States Armed Forces discovered was that a baby needs his mother!
But the mother also needs the baby… When her child is born, for the first time in her life, a mother is loved without calculation! Her husband who marries her chooses her out of all the women in the world and this is beautiful, but he measures her beauty! He knows if she is as pretty as Miss Universe, or prettier, or not as pretty. He calculates!
Her baby does not calculate! A mother took the wrong baby home from the hospital. In the hospital, she only saw the baby when he was brought for breast-feeding. And she was so happy with him there! He was always hungry. He would consume all her milk. He would snuggle. And he was a laughing baby. She never heard him cry.
But when she got him home, he would not breast-fed! She was hurting! She felt that she had to nurse, but the baby would not nurse! And he was weeping and wailing! And when she tried to hold him close, he would pull away from her! Finally, in the evening, he developed fever. She thought: “Oh, my God! He is gong to die!” She brought him to the doctor, and the doctor said: “You have the wrong baby!”
When they found her real baby, he was doing the same thing! He would not breast-feed! He was weeping and wailing! He would not snuggle!... When she got him home, he consumed all her mild, and then---not only did he snuggle---he put both hands into her hair, and hung on to her dear life, afraid that he would lose her again!
Mother, your baby is a one-woman boy. He is not interested in any other mother. Only you… He loves you, without calculation. Because you are his, and he is yours… and this is love.
Your baby needs you… And you need your baby… It is a two-way street.
"But You brought me out when I was born.
You made me trust when I drank my mother's milk."
Psalm 22:9 New Life Bible
I am proud that I breastfed Diam for two and a half years, and currently breaftfeeding Gem - he's now 1 year 4 months old.
The Two-way Street
Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J.
The Armed Forces of the United States of America, after intensive investigation for two full years, came to the conclusion that babies, who were nursed at their mother’s breast, never got battle fatigue.
Battle fatigue, during World War I, was known as “shell shock.” It is insanity, brought about by the pressure of war. It was especially terrible because those soldiers who “went off” years later, in civilian life, from shell shock, saw the enemy everywhere. They fought for survival.
In my own home town we had a war hero with a chest full of medals, who was shell shocked. He suffered shell shock in a gas raid.
The signal for the gas raid was four bells. One sunny morning, walking down the main street of our little town, a trolley car passed him. It had a bell. It sounded---four bells. The war hero went wild and killed a storekeeper.
He was not tried for any crime. He was put in an asylum in a padded cell. Our principal newspaper carried an article on the front page, explaining that---when a man is shell shocked and goes off---he goes back into a battle situation where he is surrounded by enemies. He sees no friends anywhere. He fights for survival. And that is how our war hero killed the storekeeper.
The US Army was so disturbed by the high incidence of battle fatigue in World War II that they said to the medical corps: “Find out the cause of this, so that we can defend ourselves against it.”
The medical corps went at it. Their first report was: “It is nothing that we do to these boys! We take two boys from the same town. We feed them the same food. We train them in exactly the same way. We put them in the same battle, under the same pressure and one breaks and the other doesn’t… It is nothing that we do to this boys! It is something that happened to them before we got them!”
Then they investigated the homes from which they came. And they discovered that the boys who nursed at their mother’s breast never got battle fatigue! They were immune. All the boys who came down with battle fatigue were artificially fed!
When they had this finding they did not know what to do with it. They did not release it for two years. During that time they investigated what happened when a mother breastfed her baby.
In the middle of their investigation they felt they had it! It was basic metabolism! The transubstantiation of the food you eat, into your body and blood. They always thought that basic metabolism was determined while the baby was in the womb. But they discovered that it was determined only in the days, and weeks, and months, after delivery!
So they felt that their investigation was over. It was: mother’s milk! They checked this. They took the real mother’s milk with a breast pump, and fed it to her baby in a bottle… It did not work!... The basic metabolism of the baby came out very rocky… Better than if it was purely artificial feeding, but far from normal!
The doctors thought: “What is this? We know it is breastfeeding, but it is not the mother’s milk!”
They got their lead from this: Some babies have insomnia. They lie awake at night, as tense as a drum. You can put these babies to sleep with injections, but the doctors do not want to do this, because the baby is a delicate little instrument. If you put too many chemicals into him, he will die!
In practice, every nurse, in every nursery, knows what to do. She takes the baby from the bassinet, brings him to his mother, and puts him on his mother’s breast. When he is pressed against her, when she is holding him, and talking to him, he relaxes, and he sleeps.
The doctors said: “What is it---about the mother---that does this to the baby?” They investigated this for months. Now they have about five things that they can prove scientifically.
It is the skin of the mommy! The skin of the mother is the sweetest skin in all this world to her baby. It is his safety blanket. That is why a baby, nursing at his mother’s breast, puts his hand on her other breast. The touch of his mommy makes him feel safe and secure.
It is the smell of the mommy! To a baby, the scent of his mother is the sweetest scent in all the world.
It is her heart beat! The beating of her heart is the music of his life. He has been living to the music of his mother for nine months, in her womb. When he is separated from that heart beat, he is frightened!
It is the sound of her voice! Every woman has a frequency. The baby is tuned to that frequency. There is no chemical known to men that can relax a baby so completely as the sound of his mother’s voice.
When the baby breast-feeds, the milk is the best! It is designed for the baby by God! He has the touch of his mother, the scent of her, that sound of her voice, the beating of her heart---everything is right! His basic metabolism comes out “normal,” which is the doctor’s word for “perfect.”
When a baby feeds in a bassinet, with a bottle, the food is only food and it is not as good as it ought to be. He is a delicate little instrument, and every door that slams frightens him. He does not have his mother---the touch of her, the scent of her, the sound of her voice, the beating of her heart. He feeds in panic, in terror. His basic metabolism comes out very rocky. Twenty years later, when these two boys go into battle, the one who fed at his mother’s breast comes out normal. The baby who fed in the bassinet comes out shattered.
When the doctors had this findings, they said: “This we know about war… How much pressure is there, in times of peace? How many boys blow up, who might not have blown up, if they were given a fair start by their mothers?”
What the United States Armed Forces discovered was that a baby needs his mother!
But the mother also needs the baby… When her child is born, for the first time in her life, a mother is loved without calculation! Her husband who marries her chooses her out of all the women in the world and this is beautiful, but he measures her beauty! He knows if she is as pretty as Miss Universe, or prettier, or not as pretty. He calculates!
Her baby does not calculate! A mother took the wrong baby home from the hospital. In the hospital, she only saw the baby when he was brought for breast-feeding. And she was so happy with him there! He was always hungry. He would consume all her milk. He would snuggle. And he was a laughing baby. She never heard him cry.
But when she got him home, he would not breast-fed! She was hurting! She felt that she had to nurse, but the baby would not nurse! And he was weeping and wailing! And when she tried to hold him close, he would pull away from her! Finally, in the evening, he developed fever. She thought: “Oh, my God! He is gong to die!” She brought him to the doctor, and the doctor said: “You have the wrong baby!”
When they found her real baby, he was doing the same thing! He would not breast-feed! He was weeping and wailing! He would not snuggle!... When she got him home, he consumed all her mild, and then---not only did he snuggle---he put both hands into her hair, and hung on to her dear life, afraid that he would lose her again!
Mother, your baby is a one-woman boy. He is not interested in any other mother. Only you… He loves you, without calculation. Because you are his, and he is yours… and this is love.
Your baby needs you… And you need your baby… It is a two-way street.
"But You brought me out when I was born.
You made me trust when I drank my mother's milk."
Psalm 22:9 New Life Bible
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sky Garden
Taking a walk at sky garden on May 30. The two grandmas enjoyed it much. Diam likes posing isn't it?
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