Don't Worry About Anything! Pray! Thank Him!

Every time I go through trials of my own, I always meditate on my favorite verse from Philippians 4:6,7 -"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

How great is that, that I can just give all my worries to God and in return, He gives me His peace that no human minds can understand. But what I love about that verse aside from us needing to PRAY, is to THANK Him for all He has done.

Utilizing that wonderful knowledge from the Lord's Word, years ago, I had shared with my son during our morning devotions together, that instead of whining about things, we should start thanking the Lord and lifting up others who are in need, always in prayers. And we had kept that to this day [glory to our good Lord!]. For example, if the weather is hot or too cold, I didn't want us complaining "Man! it's too hot! or it's too cold!". Instead, in prayers, we say, "Lord, thank You that we have airconditioner that keeps us comfortable in this very hot weather or Lord, thank You, we have this heater that warms us up in this very cold weather. Please protect those homeless people and other hurting ones who don't have the means to either keep themselves cool or warm..." Of course, our prayers are always powerful when uttered in "Jesus' Name".

When my father was diagnosed with colon cancer back in 2005 and during one of his hospitalization, where he was connected to a breathing machine and name all the tubes that could enter our bodies' orifices, [I couldn't imagine what pain my father had gone through physically], it was that verse that I had meditated on which gave me peace despite that trial I had to face. There were many oceans that separated my father and my siblings and I apart, but it was the Lord's love that connected us all and bridged that gap in between us. Through prayers and with thankful hearts, the Lord made my father recovered and lived for a few more days and prior to him leaving us, we had spent some time together, though short was equivalent to a lifetime of sharing love and being one as family. I thank the Lord for that time we had with our father and giving us that opportunity of being together. Despite the odds, we were able to visit him and the Lord did provide for the things we needed!

Sometimes, when I want to praise the Lord, He Himself gives me the words to my head. And in a matter of few minutes, I have this song I can play with my guitar to worship Him. How awesome is that? Just like on July 11, 2005, in a dreamy-like state, I had the chorus part of a song already playing in my head. I wrote this song to praise the Lord and thank Him "for all He has done". Thank You Lord, most of all, for sending Your only Son, Jesus, to be the sacrifice for all of our sins so that in return, we can have a relationship again with You. Thank You for loving us unconditionally.

I Want to be Where You Are

I know that You give me the strength

You're the One Who put this hope into my heart

Day to day I must learn to completely trust

And obey Your Word and believe what You had done

Chorus:

I want to be where You are

And worship You forever

I want to see the face of my God

To hold and kiss...Your pierced hands

Draw me close to You and hold my hand

As I travel in this foreign land

Someday I will go home where You are

I will sing this song to You with all of my heart

Blogging friends, thank you all for your encouragements and I pray, for us all to not be weary in writing what the Lord puts into our hearts so that through these blogs of ours, many more people will come to know the Lord. Pray! Thank Him! Pray! Thank Him again and again! God bless you all. I enjoy your visits...

Change and the One Who Doesn't Change

The nearby lake was full of water, until the long periods of drought made the water level drop faster than it should...They predicted rain today and talked about a big storm to drench California. Welcome rain! We need you so bad!

I remember the sudden hailstorm we had on May of last year. It caught everyone by surprise! I thought I was only hearing noises like some rocks were falling on our rooftops. Because the sun was still out. Then all of a sudden, dark clouds covered the sun and hailstones just poured! It was over in a matter of 3 minutes. Seasons come and go. Weather changes just like that.

I remember the "eroding sand" when my family and I were taking a walk by the beach. I hope there would still be more when we plan to go back for a holiday. The tides are not even that powerful but it surely takes so much sand with it as it rolls back to the briny sea.

Most of blogging friends I had met here will probably notice how often I change the templates in my blog or the fonts and colors. Nothing really wrong but I just like to experiment sometimes and make changes .

CHANGE! It's all around us! It transforms us, scares us, encourages us, dares us. Sometimes, we can control, most of the time, we can't.

But spiritually speaking, there is a change that we must do. That is.....to turn away from our sins and turn to God! [Acts 3:19].

Giving your heart to Jesus Christ is the greatest change you'll ever want to make in your life. Your life will never be the same. With Him, there is no more fear even if so many changes in your life come along. You will have His company all the time and He will direct your steps if you allow Him to mold you.

Romans 12:2 -"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is."

You know what's neat on top of this? While CHANGE may abound all around us, it is God alone Who doesn't CHANGE! The only eternal consistent God!

Malachi 3:6 -"I am the Lord, and I do not change."

Hebrews 13:8 -"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

James 1:17 -"Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, Who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows."

I Am With You Always

Who wants to get sick? I don't think the categories "sickness, pain or suffering" are welcome in any one's vocabulary...

So, my son was just a little ill since last week. Just with slight coughs and it is the usual "allergy season" for both of us, now that Spring is here.

Then, yesterday, my husband started not feeling well, too. Between them two, I was their private nurse who lovingly doted them with nurses' famous "TLC".

I had spent sleepless nights checking on both of my patients. During the days, I was busy cooking soups that nourished them and made sure they were drinking lots of fluids and getting lots of naps.

Tonight, I didn't feel good. I felt the extreme alternating changes in weather this week and my immunity just gave up to the invading unseen viral enemies. So, I called in sick so early. Knowing how we are always short of staff at the correctional facility where I work, I was still thinking of my other co-workers because I didn't want them to be overwhelmed if I didn't show up. I had gobbled the biggest bowl of soup I made earlier, the melt-in your-mouth beef with lots of veggies like cabbage, green beans, carrots, potatoes, ginger,etc... I started feeling better already. Later, I might make some lemon tea with honey, that is, if sleepiness doesn't dawn on me first.

You know what? I'm not going to be in a sullen mood despite my illness. No! I'm going to take advantage of this "recuperative period" fellowshipping with the Lord [my private Nurse]. I'm not going to lay down just to moan. Instead, I will rejoice in His presence knowing that He is here with me. The more I am feeling better already as I write now.

Not only when you're sick, but every time you feel alone, remember that you are never by yourself.

Romans 5:3-4 -"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us - they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation."

Proverbs 17:22 -"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength."

Malachi 4:2 -"For you who fear My Name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture."

I wrote this song on July 23, 2004 as an inspiration of His promise [Matthew 28:20]:

I'm With You Always

When you feel the weight of the world

And you have no one to help you in any way

You may not know, you may not feel

But I've loved you from the start, I always will

I'm with you always...you're never alone

I'm always by your side...no matter the season

I'm with you always...keep this thought with you

Just call on Me, I'm always here [2x] for you

You can be heartbroken but I'm Someone you can trust

You can fall on your knees, just reach for My hand

You can cry, every tear I will wipe them dry

You can feel just existing but I can give you life....

To God be the glory! Take care of yourself....

We are Wise..."Not!!!"

Weird weather! It was in the 60's then all of a sudden, went up to 90's 2 days ago and yesterday! This dramatic change just makes you feel "tired and exhausted". Wheww...



Anyway, I noticed my son dressed up in longer sleeve yesterday. I just don't understand why he would dress up in thin shirts when the temperature is really cold, and now, this, dressed up warmly in a sweltering heat! "Teenagers! They think they know everything!" [I think I was like that, too during those times....Wow! Has it been that long?...]. Just like when he was coughing and thought he could tough it out. After a few days, realizing things, I don't even tell him to drink medicine or extra fluids nor take a nap, he just does it on his own. He now knows that what I told him was true. He's feeling much better.



No! don't get me wrong! My teenage son is a sweet kid and also loves the Lord! [glory to God!]. He's always respectful of me and my husband and that of others. But just like an "eaglet" needing guidance before they can open their wings and fly, as parents, my husband and I need to do so...



I think we are all the same spiritually. We don't listen to our heavenly Parent Who always just wants the best interest for us. No! There's nothing in our worldly ways that will please Him because He is not of this world. We think we know everything when we don't. Or maybe we don't want to believe because we want to continue our ways that bring us pleasure though we know that they are not pleasing to a Holy God? We don't want to heed His Word because His Word penetrates our hearts, bones and marrow and because obeying Him will mean that we have to stop doing our own ways and we are just not yet ready to give up those things that give us pleasure...Or do they really?



For you who happens to peek at this post, I am praying that you will really consider your spiritual status right now and stop making fun and not believing in God. Just like the apostle Paul from Romans 1:16,17, I am feeling what he felt and not until you surrender your life to the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will never understand what I'm writing about. This verse says, "For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-Jews first and also Gentiles. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, " It is through faith that a righteous person has life."



You're still making fun of me and my post? You still think that you know everything? And I am not saying it in a sarcastic tone. I am discussing it with all the love in my heart because I only care for you. Be careful! "Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!" -Galatians 6:7.



God has been offering His friendship to all of us. He wants us all to have eternal life, that is, if we choose to believe in Him. Revelation 3:20 says, "Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends." My friends, this is the ultimate friendship you will ever know and this is a kind of friendship that is faithful and lasts forever. When you are ready to accept the Lord as your Savior and surrender everything to Him and let Him lead you in this life's trek, open your hearts to Him and pray this prayer from this post. I pray God will remove all the hindrances that make you not want to do it as you read my post and that you will start to realize that we are dependent of God. The truth is "we don't know everything."



This was a song I had written back on June 6, 2003. It reminds me of the Lord's faithful friendship when I came to know Him. I'm so thankful that He made me see and hear His offer of friendship. I was once a "smart aleck" like you....Well, I was wrong....but it's never too late.... God bless...and may you grow in the love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.