The Lone Cypress Tree

"We live by faith, not by sight." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

I woke up this morning, feeling better from the symptoms of sinus pressure and right ear pain. I ended up going to the Urgent Care yesterday and the doctor told me that it was a good thing I did because my right ear was starting to get red, that was why I was feeling pain on my right jaw, close to the ear. He said he could tell my allergy was bad just by looking at my eyes. He gave me a nasal spray and a 3-day course antibiotic. Which I took immediately as soon as I got them on my hands.

With faith, I asked the Lord to bless those medications and at the same time, thanked Him for all His provisions and bringing in His children who love to intercede right away.

Thank you to all of you for your encouragement and for immediately folding your hands together and bending your knees to lift me up to His throne of grace.
This morning, for some reason, I started going through these old photos as I opened the cabinet on top of the computer monitor and saw this picture I took from one of my family's vacation in Central California:

The verse caught my eye right away! And the truth to it just penetrated my heart!

"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." ~ Isaiah 7:9

And the picture brought me back to that day when the Lone Cypress Tree had my jaw almost dropped to the ground in awe because of its beauty. It was by itself on that huge piece of rock, overlooking the ocean with unpredictable, strong currents sometimes. The thought it evoked of how it continue to thrive despite the roots being so far from the water and had to thread through those pieces of rock. Yet, for so many years, it was gazed at by millions of visitors that made the place famous.

And how true it is, that in our lives, if we remain standing on the Rock, living by faith will make us fare better than by fulfilling rituals or rules. Because God commanded believers to live by faith not by sight! As we do so, this challenges us to grow more in faith and to live in obedience to God each day. And as we face many unpredictable currents of trials, it is only by standing firm on this Rock that will make us weather any storm.

"For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith."
~ 1 John 5:4 [NLT]

"But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind."
~ James 1:6 [NLT]

No Matter...

The Santa Ana winds these past days must have bothered my sinus allergy and so, for the past days, I have not been feeling well. No fever [thank God!], no other symptoms except just pressure on my sinuses, which could be annoying and tiring.

As I try to rest now, downing more fluids to ease the stuffed up sinuses, taking more pills of organic sinus pills which thankfully help, and begging my husband and son to get some soup [like something spicy which I usually can’t tolerate] for lunch, and constant prayers, I am not worse, yet still not completely feeling normal.

I want to get my guitar from the wall where it’s hanging yet, do not seem to have the energy to sing and worship. To worship when you’re not feeling your best, is a tough thing to do. And how true it is when we are going through trials as my heart has been heavy for so many loved ones, and friends I have met here in this blog land, that are going through tough times…

Don Moen is one of great worship leaders who discovered that while trying to compose a song. Here’s what he wrote in his blog:

“I wrote the title song for I Will Sing in my car and my first reaction was, “I don’t know where that came from, but I’ll never put it on a Hosanna! Music album!" I had spent the day at one of Alabama’s gulf coast beaches, about an hour south of Integrity’s studios in Mobile, hoping to write songs for the upcoming album.

I didn't feel anything the entire day. It was one of those times when you wonder where God is. I was driving back home, feeling frustrated, and I said, “Lord, You seem so far away, a million miles or more it feels today.” It just popped out. Then I got another line: “And though I haven’t lost my faith, I must confess right now that it’s hard for me to pray.” The words kept coming, and I wrote the entire song right there in my car, but I didn’t like it. I thought, “What a waste! I need songs for the album; I don’t need this!”
I promptly filed the song away, thinking I’d never use it. Not long after, Integrity’s staff was stunned by the news that the ten-year-old daughter of David C. Reilly, a graphic artist who has designed album covers for Integrity Music for more than a decade, was killed in a car accident.

I remembered the song I had scribbled on a paper, so I recorded it on a CD and sent it to David with a note: “I know you’re going to have days when you feel like, 'Where in the world is God?' but I want to encourage you to sing. Don’t give up.”

The reality is that everyone goes through days when we feel God is far away. There’s a phoniness in Christian circles that says you don’t admit that. But look at Psalm 109. How could David, the sweet psalmist of Israel who said, 'I will bless the Lord at all times,' write these angry words? Because he was honest before the Lord, and that’s what God wants in our worship, too. He knows already, so I want to work on being honest, transparent with the Father, who delights in our hearts.”
- Don

It’s impossible. To have a smooth journey. We all go through rough times. We have different paths we are walking on, but I pray that all these paths lead to the only Road that promises hope and life.

Here's a song I had written back on June 19, 2003, when my family and I were going through tough times at different locations of this world. God reminded me that no matter how hard or hopeless our situations may seem, Jesus said from John 16:33 - "I have told you all these so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows but take heart because I have overcome the world." I'm grateful that we are not alone as we have Someone Who is faithful and true to His promises going through all these tough times with any of us.

Come And Seek The Lord


No matter how tough the trials that come your way
No matter how much they break your heart today
Fill your heart instead with joy
Knowing Jesus is there for us all


Chorus:

Come and seek the Lord [3x]
For He had overcome the world


No matter how much pain or suffering
No matter how heavy the burden they bring
Trust in the Lord it will be okay
For He will show us the way


[Repeat Chorus]...

It is tough to worship during difficult times...But it is possible to still be thankful. To still be singing or dancing because we have His peace amidst the chaos of life. May you like Don Moen's song "I Will Sing" and may it minister to your heart. God bless you all friends.



"Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share in Christ's suffering, we will also share His glory." ~ Romans 8:17

How Do I Honor The Veteran/Soldier?

"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved." ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

Out of the stillness of the short respite my husband and I both had prior to retiring to bed last night, the silence was broken as I popped a question to my husband, who used to be in the Navy and had served in the Persian Gulf War [August 2, 1990-February 28, 1991].

"How do you feel, as a Veteran, every time we celebrate Independence Day or now, this coming holiday, Veteran's Day?"

Not seeing his glance as I was sitting on the recliner, hidden from his sight that was concentrating on the glowing monitor, I heard a short stammer...Perhaps, he started to wonder why after so many years, I had asked that specific question.

I didn't know the reason either. Except that I knew I wanted to know the soldiers' perspectives. We know what they all go through. We know what their families go through. All the sacrifices both have to make. I know...Because I've been there...Except that's what I know. I wanted to know how it felt coming from a soldier. From a veteran. Whom do I have but my own husband when this thought came to mind?

How do they feel when here I am, enjoying each beautiful day, calm and sipping my Starbucks favorite drinks while they are out in a foreign land, staying alert, with anxiety in different levels, anticipating to defend and preserve their own lives against those unwanted or unexpected attacks from the enemies? Have they even thought of taking a drop of water to quench those thirsts and soothe their parched lips?

What are the thoughts in their minds, as I rest in my favorite recliner, watching tv programs, as they are huddled close, deep in those foxholes their own hands must have dug, yet do not offer a permanent safety?

What goes on in their hearts as I enjoy this personal liberty wherever I go in this land, in which they are trying to protect from oppressors?

Or how their hearts must be breaking as they think of their separated and loved ones far away from them as I enjoy my time with my family?

And how they must endure to be dressed in those heavy camouflage battle gear yet here I am whining whether it's too hot or too cold?

And yes, here I am looking good, holding my Bible, as they go out there, with rifles and ammo's on their hands, with fingers ready to fire if enemies appear?

"Sad....", my husband answered.

"Sad?" I repeated to make him explain and satisfy my growing hunger to search for more answers.

"Yeah...Sad...'Coz many lives have been lost every time," he softly uttered.

"So, you're against the war?"

"I didn't say that. If it's necessary to defend, we have to do that....But I'm sad that many lives, sometimes, are being lost and some are unnecessary losses," he replied with a sad tone and there, I decided I had been answered enough. That my search for an answer was over.

I got the point dearest husband. I got it! That we have to fight for this freedom if necessary. We know the risks of losing lives but we must to protect this precious liberty. Because freedom is not free. Oh yes....It even happened long time ago. Even before we were all born. As it was planned. That Jesus would come to die. To give us freedom. And many are being persecuted also because of our faith in Him. But we must stand confident in the truth that God has shared with us, believers. No matter what circumstances around us. No matter what others say. We know the TRUTH....

Veteran's Day is coming up. And every year, it will be celebrated. Like July 4th. And every time, lives are being risked and lost. How do I honor them? These veterans and soldiers? All of them? I had spent a couple of hours searching for tribute videos but now I know, no amount of tribute videos will show how much I want to honor them.

"Thank you," I softly uttered to my husband and I wasn't sure if he heard me as he went back to typing something on the keyboard.

I know I can start by saying a simple "Thank you!"...And I can go on further by including them in my prayers...Not only on these holidays...But in each day that is to come.

The Impossible

I immediately recognized that haggard face. way older than the stated age. Rubbing her mid-chest, her tears swelled.

I recalled those messy locks of hair turning gray. The lines on her forehead that spoke about the harsh habits she was entangled in. The same complaints of chest pain despite the normal findings.

"You look familiar," I couldn't believe I uttered when I usually tried to maintain my professionalism when it came to dealing with sick inmates.

"Yes, Ma'am. You've treated me once. My chest is hurting again. It started today," she rapidly responded.

"Did you get released before?" I continued.

"Yes," she coyly replied.

"What happened? What were you doing that your chest started bothering you?" I probed.

"I was released. I thought I could change. But it's impossible! I went back to using drugs!" she replied without hesitation.

"What kind and how much a day? And the last time you had the drugs?"

"Meth...a lot....and the day I got arrested, that was the last time, Ma'am."

After taking her vital signs and probing more relating to the type and degree of her chest pain, I motioned for her to go into one of the exam rooms so I could take an EKG, an electrical reading of her heart. She knew the treatment modality so well. And everything was normal.

She bowed her head in disbelief. She was very sure of this pain bothering her. How could this be impossible?

"Ma'am," I interrupted her thoughts, "Take care of yourself. It is possible that the meth had this effect on you. If every time your chest hurt, just let your unit know. They will send you down here every time. It's just good to check if there's something more serious or not. Okay?"

Meth...or Methamphetamines...One of the drugs out in the streets. Used by many. Someone can get hooked even with its first use. But the effects are disastrous. Health becomes at risk. Relationships suffer. Sensing euphoria during the early stages, only to feel sicker, angry, depressed, ashamed or guilty the next. And the users answer to the latter? To use more meth! No wonder she said that "it was impossible". Impossible to break that habit!

But I believe in God Who is able! I believe in "what's impossible to us, men, is not with God!" [Luke 18:27]

We all have our failures. We all are entangled in different kinds of sins. Of habits that are not pleasing to God. There is a way out....Jesus... Who said, "I am the only WAY, the TRUTH, and the  LIFE..." [John 14:6; emphasis mine]. Let's turn all our impossible to possible, not with our way but with God's way....But you must believe...I was once like you except now, I believe...in Jesus...



Lord, today, I praise Your Holy Name. May you be the One glorified in everything. Lord, may many more lost wanderers turn to You. May they realize that what's impossible is not with You, our awesome God. Glory be to You now and forever. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for sending Jesus so our relationship with You can be made right because of His sacrifice. In Jesus' Name. Amen.