Thanksgiving Reflection

2 nurses are leaving. 1, in fact, already left. You would think, "Who, in the earth would do that?" when we know that we are all facing a tough economic times. Where job is very scarce and those that still have it, are still uncertain of its stability. I'm not saying that they're not thankful for what they have, but I know that the reason is not job-related. Not the kind of work we do. But it's the people they work with. Personalities clash. Ideas differ. Compromise not known. Pride fueled by self-expertise and power collide. The other: complaints of her "SOS" messages seemed to be ignored. Needing an extra hand with tasks that are becoming too much for just one nurse was her simple 9-1-1 message. She got burned out. Left with only one choice, she opted to put in her resignation.

This is reality. Changes in this world abound. And we have no control, whether we admit it or not.

This Thanksgiving, I am going to remain thankful. And in every day that comes. Because "hope" was paid for long time ago by the greatest sacrifice. No matter what changes occur, I know I have chosen to follow Jesus, Who does not change.

As I sample the turkey, mashed potato and whatever else will be on my plate, I want this to take me back to those times, where people realized that all the blessings they received were given by God. Those who had gone first and met a lot of obstacles on their paths, only to realize that they were not truly alone and had divine guidance, protection, provision and other blessings.

Remembering God's faithful love, then I pray for "pride" from people's hearts to crumble. For personalities to unite despite the differences. For ideas to be embraced and respected to avoid confrontations. For compromises to be known that all disputes are settled.

I pray for people to realize God's greatest blessing to humanity: "to have the privilege of being born again because of what Jesus had done." This is a priceless inheritance. Pure. Undefiled. Beyond the reach of change and decay. This is my greatest encouragement in times of trouble. Amidst the constant and unpredictable changes in my journey. That no matter what step I take, I live with this wonderful expectation of eternal life.

Giving thanks to God...It is just the right thing to do...Thank You God! Thank You Jesus!

I Want To Thank You

"Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture." ~ Psalm 100:1-3

She demanded to be seen for severe nausea and vomiting at the wee hours of Sunday morning.

“I did put a sick call request!” she complained as I started applying the blood pressure cuff on her left arm.

“How long ago?”

“Just yesterday. But I put in 2 requests already!” she whined.

“Ma’am, you have to understand. There are 3,000 something inmates here. Out of that number, many are requesting to be seen for different issues, like you.”

“I know,” she mumbled under her breath.

“You just need to be patient. Sometimes, the people screening the inmates’ requests, have to put those urgent conditions,” I explained.

Everything was normal despite the complaint of severe nausea and vomiting all day, prior to her arrival in the Infirmary’s waiting area. I motioned for her to go back to the same spot and just try to relax. She didn’t know. I was just observing her. I didn’t see her throw up not even once. I saw her got up many times, trying to scan who the people were inside the Clinic. She must have seen how busy the Nursing staff was. She glanced back at the tv monitor up on the wall, when she saw me looking at her.

A few hours had gone by. She started becoming fidgety and uncomfortable. The fingers previously rubbing her abdomen became intertwined with each other and moved restlessly.

“Nurse! Nurse!” she yelled.

“How may I help you?” I asked as I approached the big glass partition window.

“I’m sorry. I’m okay now. I think I’ll just go back to my unit. Thank you for giving me those pink pills for my tummy. They worked,” she uttered.

I signed her yellow pass and reminded her to be patient. That she could still put a sick call request whenever she didn’t feel well. The demands she had when she first walked in vanished into thin air. As her shadow disappeared, I knew she wouldn’t be back for a while. She discovered it wouldn’t be easy to get what she wanted every time. She found out that no matter how much she whined, she still needed to be patient and needed to learn how to endure every passing moment. That it wouldn’t be easy to lie when it came to medical symptoms. That she couldn’t go anywhere despite the fact that she was able to go out of her tiny cell, the reality was that she was still inside the prison even if she had found a temporary few hours of freedom being in the Clinic. I saw her frustrated eyes replaced with a grateful look. She was thankful to be out of the Clinic as she couldn’t stand being monitored anymore by the Nursing staff, especially with my watchful eyes. Yes, I let her go. Not because she demanded but because there was truly no intervention needed. I made her aware that she was not sick after all. And that was one thing to be grateful for. There were a lot of sicker inmates than her.

I forget, too, sometimes that there are lots to be thankful for...But when we realize that God created us because He loves each of us, we, in turn, can’t help but give to others, as God gave to us. Out of the millions of people, we may all differ in our characteristics or traits from one another, but we are all the same when it comes to Him calling us to love Him first, then, love others. Our good God deserves all our thanks and praise.

Oh Lord, You alone are worthy to be worshiped. Help me to always joyfully come into Your presence. May I remember to always thank You and praise You whatever circumstances I am in. For You are awesome and Your unfailing love endures forever. May my life be a sweet offering to You Oh Lord. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.




Happy Thanksgiving friends and may God bless you all.

Daily Talk

"You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness."
~ 1 Peter 2:2-3

What better time to talk with my son but every morning as we sit down and have breakfast together before him, going to school?

This morning was one of those ordinary moments. Digging his fork into the toasted flesh of his hot hashbrown, I took a sip of caffeine from my red mug and took a breath.

"Kristian, I just want you to know, that as you have more independence and learn more things, you are more than welcome to speak with me and daddy if you encounter any problems. You can approach us anytime if you need help. Or if you just want to talk."

"I know, mom," he replied as he savored the potato.

"And in any thing that you plan, please remember to pray about it and always include the Lord with your plans," I added.

"Yes, mom," he smiled as he reached for his glass of milk and was careful not to leave a white mustache.

"I love you, mom" he uttered. He got up and gave me a hug. That's a daily occurrence among us, him and I, and his daddy.

"I love you very much, Kristian," I replied.

Life is rushed. Evident with time, like sand slipping through our fingers. Evident with the years that had gone by and the once small toddler I helped was becoming more independent and grown up.

I am grateful. Everyday. To be reminded by my Father Whose Word echoes each and every morning as we feast together. Just Him and I. The reminder and assurance of His faithful love that He wants me etched in my heart. That I can approach Him anytime, anywhere when I encounter some trials, be they small or big. Or simply, just to talk.

Because each day is a reminder of how fleeting this life is. And what a waste to spend each day not choosing to hear His Word. Continuing to live sinful lives. Sins that block people's visions of God. For sins and God do not mix. He is a Holy God.

I treasure this everyday talk with my son as I treasure my daily talk with my Father. Ordinary moments? No! I don't think so anymore. As I ponder and realize that as a citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem that is to come, this fellowship with the Holy Spirit enables us to experience the Father's faithful and unfathomable love. Through Jesus, I am able to approach His throne of grace. Anytime. Anywhere. And that's what He wants. Because of Jesus, He turned my ordinary life into an extraordinary one!

For Abba Father is not only a disciplining kind of Parent but also a lifetime Coach Who pushes us to our limits and wants us to live our lives disciplined. There are times I will fail. I have limitations. But because of Christ, He is the One Who will help me get through and accomplish my total victory. It is His strength, not mine that helps me win. It is His Word that guides my path as I grow more mature. It is Him Who gave me the true meaning of independence, apart from this world's beliefs and systems.

For that, I am a blessed child of God, And I am forever indebted to Christ. And I love Him. But you know what? He loved me first!





I Am Blessed [Rachel Lampa]

Verse 1:

I may never climb a mountain so I can see the world from there
I may never ride the waves and taste the salty ocean air
Or build a bridge, that would last a hundred years
But no matter where the road leads
One thing is always clear

Chorus:

I am blessed, I am blessed
From when I rise up in the morning
Til I lay my head to rest
I feel You near me
You soothe me when I'm weary
Oh Lord, for all the worst and all the best
I am blessed

Verse 2:

All along the road less traveled, I have crawled and I have run
I have wandered through the wind and rain until I found the sun
The watching eyes asked me why, I walked this narrow way
I will gladly give the reason
For the hope I have today
(chorus)

Bridge:

You've given me joy
You've given me love
You give me strength when I want to give up
You came from Heaven to rescue my soul
This is the reason I know
I know
(chorus)

I have linked this post with Spiritual Sundays. Please head on over  there if you want to soak in His Word and love, emitted by fellow brothers and sisters. This is a warm place to visit, hosted by sisters Charlotte and Ginger.

This Is How You Know Me

"When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth." - Ephesians 3:14

I haven't gone to work for almost 2 weeks, so nothing exciting yet that I could share with you from the prison. This morning, as I was praying, I asked the Lord, "How do people know You Lord?"

Images of pyramids, tower of Babel, tall churches, and rich possessions flooded my mind.

Tower of Babel

And this was what I heard:

"For so many years, people have been striving to build those, thinking they can reach Me by doing so. Or if they have accepted Me, have used the talents I have given them and become successful, they think that's how it works to have a relationship with Me."

"Look down, not up, My child. That is how you know Me. Look to the ground. Look at the bottom of your heart."

After dropping off my child at school, I was so anxious to know more. The intensity of this truth growing wild, ready to explode like a volcano. The reality of what the Lord said. So opposite and so high from man's wisdom, yet so simple...

"Look down..."

"Bow down..."

"Stay humble..."

"Know humility..."

"That's how you know Me..."

Farmers must know that. As they grow things from the ground. The hard labor it takes for them to grow their crops. They need to be patient. They need to be strong. They must learn to trust and lean on God more as the seasons abruptly change, affecting the outcomes of their harvest. That they must be thankful no matter what the outcome of their harvest is. Learning to rely on God, strengthening their character through all the trials they go through from seeing their fields of grains or whatever crops they are growing...

I remember my grandmother's story about the rice, the staple food in Asian nations. That whenever the rice is coming out, growing up, and when the grains are becoming heavy, as they reach a higher height, the grains tend to fall over...

Rice grains bowing low to ground

"Stay humble," that's what she told me.

Humbleness...Marked by meekness...A modesty in behavior, attitude and spirit...Not arrogant. Not proud...It is humility...

Joshua found himself bowing down to the Lord when he did not consult God and relied on his army's strength to defeat the small city of Ai. Instead, he lost. They tore their clothing and threw dust on their heads as they mourned before God. Like Joshua and his men, we should humble ourselves before God so we can hear His words. We should turn to God for His direction and help, not only when our lives fall apart, but much more when we are doing well in our lives.

How about Saul? Whose popularity made him proud and arrogant while David remained humble?

The tower of Babel? People built this tower as monument to their own greatness, something to be seen in the world, not to honor God. This may never be done again. But it is still possible that there is a hidden monument in our lives. Things that call achievements to ourselves, not to God. They may not be wrong to have them but when they replace God as number One in our hearts, then that's when it becomes wrong.

And Paul? The most influential among the apostles yet was deeply humble. Because he knew that his power and transformation came from God, not his own doing.

"Lord, I want to know You but how can I humble myself?"

"How can I learn humility?"

Humble people know...They live their lives knowing Christ, realizing their sinfulness and understand their limitations. They also recognize that their talents and gifts or strengths come from God and are willing to use them as Christ leads.

Knowing humility is having a life completely surrendered to Christ's Lordship. It's bowing down in front of Him. It's emptying one's heart so that it can be filled by His love.

"For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored." - Luke 14:11

"Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing, he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross. Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:5-11



"For dust you are and to dust you will return." -Genesis 3:19 [emphasis mine]...