The Strawberries

 

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” – Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

“Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” – John 7:24 (NLT)

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.” –1 Corinthians 14:33 (NLT)

 

“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5 (NLT)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2 (NLT)

 

 

Not everything that appears good is beneficial. I can attest to that after sorting out the strawberries my husband brought home from the store. Oh! The clear tub that housed the 2 pounds worth of craved fruits smelled heavenly! The fruits I was staring at were so red and its leaves attached on top were green. Until... I opened the tub to wash each fruit. I usually wash them and remove impurities, drying them completely before storing in the refrigerator. After picking up six of them, there were a few in the middle hidden from the transparent tub with mold. I tossed them out to the trash where they belong. 

 In this trying times in our nation, be careful not to be deceived. I pray for discernment and God's wisdom for His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Not everything that you hear is beneficial. May God guide you as you make decisions where it's called for. Remember, we are to please God not men. God bless.

My Prayer This Morning (For This Nation)

 

¹ O Lord, hear me as I pray;
    pay attention to my groaning.
² Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
    for I pray to no one but you.
³ Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
    Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

⁴ O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
    you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
⁵ Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
    for you hate all who do evil.
⁶ You will destroy those who tell lies.
    The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.

⁷ Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
    I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
⁸ Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
    or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.

⁹ My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
    Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
    Their tongues are filled with flattery.
¹⁰ O God, declare them guilty.
    Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
    for they have rebelled against you.

¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
    that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
¹² For you bless the godly, O Lord;
    you surround them with your shield of love. Psalm 5 (NLT)

I have a deep longing to go back to my old posts and through the past written words, they become my daily devotions and prayers. This morning, my eyes stopped at Psalm 5. My prayer today. There is no amount of lockdown that will ever stop God's work in each person He chooses for His plan and that person, who in return, chooses to obey God.The true lockdown isn't about stopping the COVID. It is a deceiving plan to mask freedom and faith in God. The unseen slavery is if one allows sins to be his/her master.

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. " - Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

I Don't Want To Forget To Say "Thank You"

 (I have written this back in July 4, 2014 and I feel that this is still timely in what's going on in our country. I trust the Lord wants me to re post)...

 

The bright, already hot rays of the sun greeted my barely-opened eyes. I hugged my husband briefly, still asleep, and whispered for him to go back to sleep. As I started to wake up more to reality of facing another day to more depressing news. Day. By. Day.

My heart felt sad as I realized how the news about illegal immigration (and now, countless rioting of what was supposed to be "peaceful protests") had been constantly overpowering the other “what-should-be” news like celebrating the freedom we enjoy this very day. Like remembering those countless lives who willingly sacrificed, not only them serving in the military, but also the families behind them, to preserve the freedom this nation enjoyed.

My mind was clouded by then trying to reflect on my own journey. Of coming to America with a big dream of enjoying the freedom it had and knowing that it was a land full of opportunities to those of us who were not born here. A land truly blessed by God and as far as I knew, was founded on Christian principles.

“Good morning,” a soft greeting cut through my busy mind as my husband’s weary and rough hands tried to envelope me as I slowly got up, not forgetting for a minute where my mind was going. My heart becoming more sad. As I touched his hands, rough now from years of experiences. Of being in Iraq war. And other destinations wherever the military assigned him. And as we welcomed our child, he got out of the military to be more with his family and to fulfill a higher dream. If I had to write about each of our journeys, this space would not be enough. I just knew. We both came here, following the due process or law that this great nation had established. It was not an easy trek. But what great tastes of victory to be handed that “citizenship” that many aspired for.

And what even more joy to be able to profess your faith without risking your life in this place!

This morning, as I remember the white-haired veterans and those who might have lost a limb or more and the ones who died. All of those serving in the military, near and far. The families that also had to sacrifice. Facing each day, not knowing if their loved ones would be able to return. Those foreigners, like my husband and I, who came here the long way, but through the legal process. The Christians who still believe in God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus being One. I’m tired of hearing the laws. I’m tired of hearing God’s Word being thrown to those who try to oppose and show their courage to stand up for what was right. I’m tired of all the irresponsible actions the government and people must and must not be doing.

For as an American and as a Christian, I know we all have that duty to obey God first. I very well know His commandment to love Him first, then love others. But my question is…

“Are we loving others in the right way?”

We can all argue. But this place is becoming more tolerant of sins while yelling God’s commandment to love on my face.

As Christians, you and I know this is not our home. But as we are still living down here, we have responsibilities to obey God first and the government. Its laws. For God was the One Who put it there.

This morning, I would probably still turn on my t.v. though I already know what news to expect. But I want to shout “Hurray!” for those who are willing to stand up for what is RIGHT. And no! I don’t want to forget to say “Thank You” to those veterans who never get the treatments and respect they all deserve. “Thank You” to all of your families who sacrificed like you did. “Thank You” to all the military and law enforcement who give their all to preserve the freedom we enjoy and to protect this land against oppressors.

Most of all, “Thank You, God!” “Thank You, Lord”.

God Bless America!

Faith, The New Refrigerator and Covid 19 Haircut

 "For we live by believing and not by seeing." - 2 Cor. 5:7 (NLT)


"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 (NLT)

"Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”" - John 11:40 (NLT)



Working nights for many years, sometimes, I find myself waking up in the middle of the night. If not, way early at dawn. Trying to be quiet as not to wake up my family, I would often grab my cell phone nearby and read His Word and share a prayer ready to be texted to my family to remind them to start their day, too, with the Lord in the morning when they arise.

This morning was different. As my eyelids opened, I saw the time at 4 o'clock in the morning. After reading my morning devotion, I decided to browse at my previous posts in my blog. I felt something telling me that I needed to review some of my old posts from way past. My index finger pointed at the year 2008 when I first started blogging. The first thing that caught my eye was during the month of November when I visited my sister-in-law who just had her second baby. I remembered my husband and I visiting them at the hospital and at the same time, we were waiting for the refrigerator to be delivered to our home.

"My God!" I thought to myself, "That's almost 12 years already!!!"

After breakfast, I had asked my husband if he could fix my short bob at the back that needed to be polished. I didn't expect it to be perfect as we had been giving each other haircuts. Considering we seemed to not have the talent to use the clipper, scissors and comb, I would say our "do's" could be doable!

"By the way...," I shouted at my husband who was upstairs at that moment, "Our refrigerator is almost 12 years old! I can't believe that!"

No response. I thought maybe because I said that out of the blue. If not, I knew him well. If he was busy doing something, then, more likely, what I shouted were not audible enough with his busy hands and mind.

After washing the dishes, he did fix my hair. I was getting frustrated because I wasn't sure what we were doing wrong, I didn't like the way it was forming on the back. I wanted a little undercut yet still maintain my bob cut without becoming a pixie cut. Maybe I was a little picky, too this morning. I knew he was being patient with me and tried his best. I told him I wasn't upset with him. I was more frustrated with my hair that had weird waves and corners and angles. After a few snip using a comb and texturizing scissor, it started to look better.

"Thank you so much! I'm sorry you had to try many times."

"I'll take a shower and then make the lunch."

Sauteeing after prepping some onions and other things, I started like a "Fritos' pie". I decided to put the cheese on the last few minutes while baking it. Getting the bag of three blend cheese from the clear bin, it felt weird from the refrigerator side. It didn't feel as colder. But I wasn't sure. I thought maybe it was just my warm hands as I liked to wash the used knives, colander, chopping boards with either warm or hot water.

"Smells good!" yelled the boys as they came running down the stairs when I told them it was time to eat. I asked them to feel the refrigerator as it didn't feel that cold for me. They both agreed.

Recalling at that time, why out of the blue I shared with my husband that our refrigerator was almost 12 years old, I then knew that it was a hint from the Lord.

That He told me to look at my old post, specifically, referred to that time where I would remember when we were waiting for the refrigerator to be delivered.

That there was something wrong with that ref and needed to be replaced.

You would think I'm crazy for saying things like that. But this is where my faith comes and my belief. I believe there is no coincidence and the God of yesterday is still very much alive today. That He talks to His children whether through dreams or circumstances or people that cross my path. Sometimes, it just takes me a few minutes, hours, day and even years to process. That He has always been there for me and my family. No doubt, He is always present in our lives.

There was still time to get a new one. Yet, He provided, too. Only one refrigerator that we chose that would fit in our kitchen was left. My husband was able to buy it. Before anything had spoiled or needed to be thrown away from our old ref. I was able to put the perishables in the freezer. I thank Him that the freezer part was working still. Enough for the cold to last until the new one arrives tomorrow.

"Is this enough styrofoam coolers?," my husband texted me from a store to ready them so we can transfer the food tomorrow as we wait for the new refrigerator.

"I'm only worried on the foods that will spoil inside the ref," I was about to text then decided my heart was strongly disagreeing with the word "worry" and erased it.

"I'm only thinking about the foods inside the ref," I finally texted with relief that I used the right statement.

Why worry? No worries. Knowing that there is nothing impossible with God. As long as I trust and believe in Him. That's what matters. The Jesus of yesterday is very much alive today and tomorrow.

As for my weird pixie on the back, bob on the top and sides haircut, I am worried not worried anymore whenever I need to go run errands or step out. I'll just wear a mask and I thank God that I can do that still if I want to.

Thank You Lord!