Appreciation, Submission and Humility

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Do you believe in God?

With all the local and international unrest that is going on around us, I know it is hard to believe that there is a God. And even more, the title of this article: appreciation, submission and humility.

Can we appreciate, submit and humble ourselves even when we feel that we have been totally crushed, inside and out, and we do not know who is to blame with the many things that oppress us?

It is hard to believe in a God when chaos and sadness are at its extreme and the soul is tested to its brink.

And yet what God says is this, a bible verse from one of my devotions a few days ago:

“The LORD, Himself, will fight for you. Just stay calm.” – Exodus 14:14

Personally, I just got out of a battle that led to a more serious form of violence – one which attacks not just the soul but that of your mortal state. I know it is the enemy’s way of destroying my faith and the commandments that the Lord has set for us to follow by using the persons closest and dear to me like my spouse through our weaknesses.

I have experienced first-hand the repercussions of what the bible has warned not to do which involves these – doubts, resentment, revenge and anger. I felt it, in all essence of the word “feel.” 

It took me days to recover from the battle. I had to reach out to people who could help me recover from the attack. It was an assault in everything that I am as a woman and everything that I am as a woman of God.

And yet prayers and more prayers will never go unanswered. For it is in the bible:

Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

God sees everything. God has answers for everything which He gives in His time.

It was all written in the bible, God knows we will go through things such as these and that history will repeat itself. That is the purpose why we have the bible now as our source of hope and as our guide in the calamities that will befall upon us either caused by nature or by man.

I don’t know the reason why I was urged to write this article at the beginning of this year:

A Prayerful 2015

But all I know is that this moment calls for us to appreciate what God has already done for us, accept what cannot be changed, submit to His almighty power and sovereignty and be humble in times of peril. Cry your heart out if you must in utmost anguish, but never let your heart be overtaken by grief, sorrow and strife. For these are the mighty powers of the darkness.

What we need is LIGHT.

Jesus suffered worse than we could have ever fathomed even in today’s time. And yet He took it all in – blow by blow, cut by cut, teardrop by teardrop, blood by blood from the Roman soldiers. Jesus symbolizes the church to stand firm against its oppressors and all its assaults because Jesus believed and trusted God with everything.

This is the time to be strong in our faith, to call out to God and work towards a life with Him in eternity. As it has been said, do not worry about the things of this world and in this world nor even your own life. For it was written in the bible that time will come this world we live in now will be gone including our mortal bodies and the second coming will take place to make the harvest.

God is the ultimate judge. He will take what is rightfully His in the same way that He is the one who governs this world and the world beyond. 

But we have a God-given free will and a choice to make – that of proclaiming we need a Savior and that only God can send that Savior. We need saving by someone who conquered even death. For not even a country’s best artillery can defend us from the attacks within and around us.

God offers PEACE – peace within and peace on the outside. What we only need to do is accept His LOVE through His son Jesus Christ – repent and proclaim. That is the only way we can be saved, be secure and be at peace.

Lastly, my brothers and sisters, PRAY. ❤

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PRAY FOR THE WORLD (Photo credit: http://www.pinterest.com)

The Greatest Anomaly

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A thought prodded me to come up with a lot of questions – an anomaly.

Far too often, my being inquisitive, and vocal about my opinions brought me more trouble than I expected. But I see it in a good way. 🙂

It has been taught in the bible to obey your leaders.

But what if your leader asks you to kill someone else, would you do it?

It has been said to accept differences.

But what if in your peers they were all selling drugs and they pressure you to do the same, will you tolerate it?

You know that stealing is bad and you saw someone stealing the bag of another person, will you let the person get away and just pray that God will give that person justice in His time?

Or will you act and stop the person from successfully stealing someone else’s stuff?

What about a rapist whom you caught molesting a child? Will you stop the perpetrator and report to the officials or just pray to God that He will bring justice to the child in His time?

I have a very adamant attitude when it comes to violations especially those that are crime-related. I do not want to be a bystander while a violation is going on right before my eyes. Same way that I do not give in to peer pressure even if it means I am the odd man out from the group because everyone else is doing it.

I worked in the BPO industry here in the Philippines as a communications assistant to the deaf and mute community in America for almost 2 years. I could still very well remember my first day of training. After our first session we had our breaks. I was astonished to see myself having my snacks at the food lounge all by myself and one elderly co-trainee. I wondered where all the other co-trainees have gone – they were all outside the building smoking cigarettes. Yes, out of 20 trainees only 2 of us are non smokers and are fine with it.

Many were heavy drinkers but I refused to take part in any after-work drinking sessions during broad daylight. Thus, I was jokingly tagged by my peers as an ingrate, an outcast. But I am fine with it and I really can live like an outcast. I love being different, anyway. 😉

I have my own ideals and principles and I defend them when it is necessary. Especially now that I have been saved and a Christian by faith. For I believe how the anomaly per se was done is not really important but by giving in to what is not right, it becomes disobedience – denying God’s presence in that situation by allowing someone to sin and stumble instead of rebuking or helping the other person be saved and worse when we, ourselves, fall into the trap that the enemy has set before us. This is the greatest anomaly one can commit – causing the others to stumble because of our own failure to stand true to our faith.

It is not just easy though to stand firm against the many who would want to see us sway in. The idea of compromising their “fun,” breaking traditions, putting a close relationship with someone at risk and a whole lot of other cases are what we will encounter when tests of faith come. Situations will call us to react in either an unGodly manner or display a Christlike attitude.

I cannot claim that there is not a day that passes by that I do not sin. In fact, with utmost humility, I claim that I sin every single day, big or small. As much as I want to blame myself, but because I was already brought to the LIGHT, I already know that the reason why it was easier to sin than to do good was because of man’s fallen nature. We may be living in a curse that our forefathers have brought upon us, and yet the Cross says, we were declared free from that bondage.

It is a fallen world that we live in, thus, falling along with the world may seem too inevitable. But God made it possible to overcome everything through His son, Jesus Christ, who overcame the world that not even death can conquer Him. This will be our guiding force to not keep on sinning – for it symbolizes the love that God has for us and our love for God.

So the next time they ask you to drink more than what you can take in, and smoke a couple of puffs, or try some “cool” stuff, I know you know better how to answer. 🙂

Finding Your Niche: What Does God Want You To Do?

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I have often asked myself that question before I got saved. Like a thousand times over. And they soon lessened bit by bit when I devoted much of my time reading the bible and in praying. Soon after, answers were given, not all at the same time. Some were shown right away, some remained as silent as they are. But one thing is clear – there is a mission.

As I was reading more of the bible every single day, I realized that there is one common mission for all – to spread the Word. Same way as Jesus did when He was sent in this world. It is just a matter of choosing in what manner did God call you to spread the Word.

What I will be writing, as with everything I have put here in this blog, are all personal opinions. Anyone is free to contest or agree. But I am hoping it’ll strike somehow a new perspective in each and everyone of us.

As of right now, we all have certain roles that we are currently fulfilling – a daughter, student, employee, boss, etc. Those that were preset so to speak – roles that do not come from our own choices. We didn’t choose to be born a daughter or a son, nor when we got hired, nor was it our choice to go to nursery school as soon as we learn how to read or when we got promoted, etc. But there are those that require a major decision making, a point of seeking. And that includes our mission, our purpose – one that deals with a lot of contemplating before finally making a choice. I am sure more or less we wonder or there is that moment in your life you asked yourself, “What am I living for?” 

How do you find out what and where does God want you to share His Word?

In my case, it is in my interests. Tapping the things that I find joy doing is where I found God’s mission for me. We cannot say however that that is where everyone will find their mission too. There are those who found it in their line of work, in school, at home or overseas. It could be anything and anywhere actually. But one thing’s for sure, it is from somewhere and something that your heart is closely attached to, something that gives you fire and passion. For it is the heart that God is after in us, not our background, what we have or have accomplished.

Contemplating usually leads to knowing your deeper sense of self. It gives you that moment of looking and searching the very depths of your soul, of who you are. But a word of caution should be taken here – our selves can be one avenue where the enemy can trap us with deception and lies such as making us feel worthless, brooding on self pity, feeling inadequate, insecure, and a whole lot of negative perceptions that can hamper the good image that God wanted us to have with ourselves.

When I got saved, it wasn’t just a spiritual reawakening for me but more about rediscovering myself in the light. Something that I am unaware all these years – of things that have lain dormant. Only when the Spirit’s tapped your inner being can you claim that God has magnificently and uniquely created you not just as an individual but as His daughter/son.

When we seek God’s purpose and mission for our lives, He will give us everything that we need to prepare us for that mission. Opportunities will be given and circumstances will work in a way that we know only God can do and is capable of.

But my greatest advice is this:

Never compare yourself to others, what others do and what they have accomplished. You will never get the chance to know yourself more if you are busy knowing the lives of others and trying to live the lives they live. Do not say “I want to be like that too.” Instead pray and say, “God, how do you want to use me?”

Keep in mind that God has something unique in store just for each and everyone of us. Same way that He has chosen a special partner in life just for you if it is His will you be married. We should always keep in our hearts that popularity and achievements are not included for it is not in God’s purpose for each and everyone of us to rely on them especially if it is not His name that is glorified in the process. As what the bible states,

But He gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” – James 4:6

In all that we do, what we should foster is that of having a humble servitude. Do not think about what you will get in return from the service you have rendered but what good did others get from your service. Exactly like how Jesus Christ was able to complete His mission – serving the Lord God and the people of this world in HUMILITY.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up with honor.” – James 4:10

God knows we are weak. He knows we will be needing Him. What it takes to know God’s mission for us is to acknowledge boldly and courageously the fact that we are weak but will only be made strong through Him. When we are ready, there will be no stopping us, faith will have its voice in whatever medium it may be.

Do not fear failure, criticism, condemnation and suffering because of upholding to the mission appointed to us – the Cross will be our hope, peace and will be our guide. God never forsakes those who stood up to their faith until time will come to say our work is finished.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

Lastly, this is what “niche” means:

NICHE .noun.
         – a shallow recess, especially one in a wall to display a statue or other ornament
 
Who are we displaying in our niches? 🙂

A Silent Salutation To My Moms

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A silent salutation.

Because I know that the endless “Thank yous” and “I love yous”  won’t be enough to completely express how much my appreciation goes for such an amazing job they did on motherhood.

I will become a mother someday. But if it isn’t God’s will, I’d still be grateful I was blessed with the opportunity to marry and be with the man God has appointed me to be with. But for now, it is such a great opportunity that God has given me my birth mother and my mother-in-law – two completely opposite and flawed individuals yet amazing in their own ways. Oftentimes I find myself thinking how far will my faith be tested. That is, being a woman of God. My Mom and my mother-in-law are women tested through time becoming who they are now.

They say elders are to be examples to the younger generations. For they were made wiser by time and experiences – something that the youth do not possess yet. It is by wisdom that men grow as an individual as far as individuality is concerned. And yet the irony is that not all elders possess the right kind of wisdom – Godly knowledge. Through which I found myself praying for utmost discernment. For how can someone younger correct someone older out of the youth’s reverence to the elderly?

It was written in the bible:

“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,..” – Titus 3:1

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5

“Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.” – Colossians 3:20

It takes such great effort to summon the Spirit for leading when it comes to what matters most – obedience to the one who holds the authority even if it means the outcome will be a wrong decision because it wasn’t God-centered or doing the right thing, that which is pleasing to God and yet disobeying the elders.

My adoration for my mothers did not come as instant as they can be. I disliked a couple of things about my Mom and the same goes for my mother-in-law. I do not agree in some of what they do and say and yet I found myself looking past their weaknesses and appreciating the good in each of them. Appreciation is never that easy, for accepting one person for who he/she is means accepting even the worst in him/her.

My relationship with my Mom is never the warm, friendly type. She is a Mom and I am her daughter and nothing should cross that boundary. She brought us up in a very independent manner, allowing us to make our own decisions, letting us fall if we made the wrong decisions, letting us look for solutions to our problems and yet she never fails to be there at the moment when you needed her the most. Communication does not happen everyday for us even when I was in college. I admire the way she disciplines us, the values most especially. For it is in those values that I have learned about how to deal with the circumstances and people around me the right way – that which is acceptable not just to society but to God most especially.

My mother-in-law is the opposite. She likes to foster warm and affectionate mother-daughter/mother-son relationships. She likes it that she is updated with what is happening in our daily lives. Oftentimes she makes most of the decisions and provides solutions to problems right away. She provides everything that is needed, making way for everything to be smooth sailing. She is very lenient with a lot of things and you truly will feel her care and concern. Although some of these complicate some things too.

Both my mothers are so different in upbringing, values system they uphold to, life experiences and lifestyle. Yet they have one thing in common – they are both mothers, one which greatly symbolizes womanhood. A responsibility that is never easy to handle as everyone knows. Being married gave me the opportunity to know them really well when circumstances and conflicts posit I seek for their counsel and when the Spirit urges me as well to do so.

It was only in this season of my marriage that I got to talk to my Mom regarding relational issues as freely as I can be. We never talked about it in a casual manner even in my previous relationships but now I am amazed by all the wisdom she has to offer when it comes to being a woman, a wife and a mother.

As for my mother-in-law, I have to be grateful for her generosity although we always assure her we can completely handle things on our own. I used to view both my moms with contempt and hesitation and yet amazing it is that God has indeed proven He is greater than any barrier known – that of changing hearts and minds, one of the most difficult to do among men.

I cannot say if it was my heart and mindset that have been changed, my Mom’s or that of my mother-in-law’s but I can’t help but be extremely grateful and blessed for these two important women that God has appointed in my life. I believe most of us just make this one common mistake, one way or the other, of asking this question:

“Why do I have to have him/her in my life?”

For it was never a question of “why”  but a question of “what” – that of knowing in God’s perfect time what are the good purposes and roles that God has for placing them in our lives.

Some say it is the hypothalamus that is responsible in allowing us to feel love. Although common to all is that it is the heart that makes us love and feel loved. I say though, it is neither the heart nor the hypothalamus that is capable of eliciting love but none other than the author of love Himself, God.

For when a change of hearts and a change of mindsets happen, we know that God has already begun His work in you, in us – as evidenced by the love you give and the love you receive. And what better way to start reciprocating love than to people who matter to you most. 🙂

The Event That Was: BLOGAPALOOZA Seasons 2015

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Finally attended one of the business and bloggers networking event the second time around last Sunday which is the Blogapalooza with this year’s theme “Seasons”  held at One Esplanade in Pasay City. But this time I already have a +1, my husband. 😉

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Blogapalooza Seasons 2015

It always is fascinating to meet people who have same interests as you – writing for the love of writing. I have met several of my co-bloggers again whom I have met last year from different fields – church, work, friends, online, etc. It is amazing how an event can unite all using only one very popular medium of advertising, social media.

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Me and fellow blogger and WhenInManila writer, Rattus.
Photo courtesy of Rattus. 🙂

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Me and Shiela, fellow blogger and church mate and her friend, Janine.
Photo courtesy of Shiela. 🙂

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Bloggers and more bloggers.

This event was a great opportunity for businesses to promote their products through the bloggers. And as much as I’d like to keep this blog of mine advertisement-free, I still would mention some of the businesses that participated in the event and they were the following:

  • Eagle’s Wings Enterprises
  • Grand Videoke
  • Regrow
  • Breville
  • JB Music
  • Nanogen
  • SMDC Premier
  • Kensonic Inc.
  • Amada’s Leche Flan and Desserts
  • Food Panda
  • Ace Hotel and Suites
  • Emporia
  • Microtel by Wyndham
  • Chemworld Fragrance Factory
  • Flawless
  • Cebu Pacific

…and a whole lot of other brands and companies. A lot of opportunities were presented to the bloggers by the businesses in promoting the products including fun games, prizes and giveaways. Hubby dear sure had fun in his first Blogapalooza event. 😉

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There he is fanning the prize away. 😉

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Breville

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Breville

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More sponsors.

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Sponsor

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Bambu

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Amada’s Leche Flan

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#ShareTheDelight

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Free lunch and snacks.

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Photo Booth by JB Music

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Zombies attack!

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A taste of the upcoming Halloween.

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One final photo before going home.

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Freebies.

So stay tuned dear readers for the next Blogapalooza event next year, I might see you there too. 😀

P.S.

Still not used to using my new surname when signing up – Rome. 😉

Upgraded: 3rd Year Anniversary Special

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I am very much thrilled to announce that today marks my 3rd year here on WordPress as a blogger/writer. Hooray! And things only got better lately. Praise be to God for the provisions and wonderful opportunities. 🙂

My 5-year old laptop crashed a week ago bringing with it 5 years of memories too from photos to articles and a whole lot of other stuff. My laptop is the other half of my life – most of my daily activities are centered on it. Especially my masteral thesis. I was close to complete devastion after finding out that the backup copy of my thesis materials were not updated.

Grateful tho I was given a hubby who is very supportive and helped me retrieve my files back which we did after going through a lot of hassle. When the repairman told us that my laptop can’t be repaired anymore as there are more issues in the operating system that cannot be fixed, husband dear offered to buy me a new one.

I hesitated as I don’t want to spend that much cash as we plan to save it for our church wedding next year. But then again, he reasoned out that I needed the laptop. He is giving it to me as an early birthday gift, so I know I cannot refuse his offer. 🙂

We bought a new one and was very pleased that we were given a discount and not just that – a free mouse, a free headset and a free case cover were included in the package. Now this part I can’t help but praise God for the provisions.

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Today, I opened my laptop and in came a notification stating that the operating system is now ready to be upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1. Oh my good Lord. What a way to celebrate my 3rd year doing what You asked me to do. 🙂

So here’s my short review on Windows 10 as compared to Windows 8.1.

Windows 10 has more control settings and options which include a more filtered Windows Defender that lessens risks from malware and virus attacks. It also has an easier way for user accessibility to programs, apps and navigation. All the key programs can be easily found in the Startup menu and the task bar. They say it is Windows 7 upgraded.

However, the designs of the windows are very stiff, sort of minimalist style as compared to Windows 8.1 which appeal more to my creative senses with its icon arrangements suitable for those frequently using a tablet or ipad. I guess I still can consider myself more of a cellphone person than a laptop person, still. (I am using my phone while doing this article.)

But I prefer Windows 10 as what I am after in an operating system is a software that’ll provide more uses technically. I haven’t browsed through all of the Windows 10 features but I am definitely keeping the upgrade.

And yes, it is free for original Windows 7, 8 & 8.1 users. 😉

I guess these upgrades bring my blogging experience to a whole new level – more convenient and more interesting ways to write and write even more. And most especially, this is one big help in accomplishing research work and other academic/business requirements.

There is only one theme tho that’s never gonna change all throughout – serving God through the mission He has appointed me alongside other responsibilities.

As you read this, I am guessing you are a blogger too – do choose to be with me in spreading the Word, God will be there to guide you same way He guided me all the way. 🙂

Cheers to more happy blogging years ahead!

P.S.

This article marks my 200th post too. Indeed, there is something awesome about the number “3.” 😉

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Our Daily Bread Ministries Philippines’ Bible Conference 2015

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Bible Conference 2015

Bible Conference 2015

Because the Our Daily Bread booklet was the first devotional in faith that I happen to browse through out of curiosity as a kid when I saw it lying in my grandma’s desk and I happen to receive an email today regarding it, I thought it would be best to give back to the ministry which contributed so much in strengthening my grandma’s faith and now mine by sharing this event sponsored by the Our Daily Bread Ministries Philippines with speaker Rev. Bill Crowder.

Do check out the details for the Bible Conference 2015 event:

“Constant and rapid change is a cultural hallmark of this postmodern age in which we live. Living in a secular culture tests our convictions and standard of life. How do we live a life pleasing to God when facing cultural pressures? The Old Testament character Daniel provides an example of a lifestyle that honors our God through trying circumstances and uncertain times. It is our joy to announce that Our Daily Bread Ministries Philippines will host a Bible Conference that will examine the life of Daniel and discover how he lived for God in the midst of life’s pressures.” – David Harvey, Country Director, Philippines

Date: October 20 & 21, 2015 Time: 6:30 to 9:00 PM
Venue: Greenhills Christian Fellowship (GCF)
(Corner of Ruby and Garnet Roads, Ortigas Center, Pasig City)

Theme: DANIEL—Living For God In Your Culture
Session 1: The Pressure to Conform
Session 2: The Pressure to Perform
Session 3: The Power to Confront
Session 4: The Pressure to Pray

Admission is without charge; so don’t come alone!
Invite your family and friends. Please come early since seating is limited.

Free copies of Rev. Bill Crowder’s booklet from the Discovery Series entitled Daniel: Spiritual Living In A Secular Culture will also be given away. 

Hope to see you there my brothers and sisters in Christ! 🙂

What Are You Striving For?

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I have long given up this thing called “race in life”  – to earn more in this world i.e. higher education, promotions, accumulation of possessions, bigger titles, etc. If it comes to a point that I acknowledge such achievement or honor, that is not for my glory but for God’s glory and to thank the people responsible in making that achievement happen.

Why give up the race in the worldly life and focus more in running the race towards the eternal life? They can become a “leech”  to our souls – the worldly things. It spurs greed, envy, and discontentment leading to an unsatisfied, unhappy and tired soul.

If I have decided to pursue my graduate study, it is not for my glory but because it is a commitment I made to my family years ago even before I got saved – a way to honor them and a responsibility that I had to fulfill as a sister and a daughter. Honoring them will honor God too.

If I decide to work, that is because I need to earn money not to get rich but to survive and serve others including my future family.

I’d rather learn how to live righteously devoid of all these worldly things than to live with them but live a corrupted life. It isn’t easy though, this thing called living life righteously. For we are in a world with its double standards where sin and corruption of the soul are everywhere. They are a black hole which consumes us if we allow ourselves to even get near it.

God never called us to live a life of fame and fortune but He called us to live otherwise. As it was written:

  “God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

We will never have a need for God if we are getting everything according to the worldly standards. Though we get everything that this world offers but not have God as the number 1 priority in this life, we’ll still end up unhappy, discontented and unsatisfied.

For we all know that though we may have everything except God, then we really have nothing. And yes we have all that we needed in this Earthly world, now what? What will we do with all the fame, with all our money, with all our possessions, with all our titles? Do you think it will please God when we have all those? 🙂

If we are all laboriously working in preparation for our future, who are we to say what our future holds? Did not God say this:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25

Where is our faith?

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” – John 20:29

As it is said, “Faith is not achieved by good deeds coming from our own efforts but by trusting God that He is completely in charge with everything.”  It isn’t easy to have blind faith and yet God made it possible through the Cross. 🙂

BLOGGYS 2015: The Philippines’ Premiere Blog Awarding Event

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To God be the Glory!

This came as a lovely surprise. 

I never thought that blogging will take me this far. Or should I say, how my faith has brought me this far. For yes, if there is one sole reason why I decided to put up my blog last October 2012, a month after my altar call, it is to be the “megaphone” of my faith – spearheaded by unfavorable events in my past that led to my salvation and now, this blog.

There was no apprehension. I felt that I had to do it – I need to write, not just to clear unresolved issues but more for the love of writing and sharing. I have shared in my previous articles why I had this passion to write and share. It came from my hunger for learning, knowledge and wisdom.

Before, I was hungry for the wrong kind of wisdom. It was this blog that led me to pursuing the right kind of wisdom and knowledge – that which is everlasting, firm and true. I would not exchange it for anything. For I must admit, it was that kind of wisdom that this blog came to life and is now thriving.

What I posted did not come from me per se. They were all knowledge passed on to me too. And my Teacher instructed me to use whatever He will give me to keep this blog alive – tapping my interests, skills, life experiences and God-given opportunities.

I am GRATEFUL.

To my God, to WordPress, to my past, to my faith, to my partner in life, family and friends, to my spiritual family, to my fellow bloggers who were bold in actively sharing their faith through social media and including some that this world offers in between, and to the organizers of Bloggys 2015 for all the opportunities to share my thoughts and my faith through writing.

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To God be the Glory!

I am claiming MORE FRUITFUL BLOGGING YEARS ahead, by His Grace and through His Name.

Let’s continue giving Him the honor and glory that He deserves. 🙂

The ANOINTING OIL and More Memories

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It was after our family vacation with my husband’s family last weekend that I got hold of something interesting. We went to Baguio City in the upper north of the Philippines where the weather is particularly colder than in any part of the country.

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A portrait at the Baguio Botanical Garden c/o Brian Rome Photography.

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Brian Rome Photography

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My aunt-in-law, Tita Bebe, in an Ibaloi/Kankanaey native, traditional costume. 🙂

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I never could get this husband of mine to do a serious pose. Like never. 😉

It was a well-spent vacation full of laughter, travels and food ventures. One adventure that we didn’t miss was a visit to the famous haunted house in Baguio City and the bamboo art exhibit.

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My bro-in-law, Buds, and the facade of the haunted house. 🙂

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Spacious living room.

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Bamboo art work and handicraft.

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The living room.

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It was Bud’s idea to visit the haunted house.

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Up we went to uncover the house’s mystery.

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The Master’s Bed

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The Fireplace

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The staircase of the haunted house.

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It was his idea to reenact our wedding day.

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Unfortunately, I can only do the “real kiss” of the newlywed couple once. 😉

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No serious pose indeed. Oh wells. 😀

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His signature pose.

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Baguio Escapade 2015

We also stayed at Hotel Veniz which is located near the heart of the city popularly known for its night flea markets. My husband and I pretty much enjoyed buying stuff at such an affordable price – it was a hassle though packing them up as it added to our already bulky baggage. But it still was fun haggling for lower prices and yes, eating street food. Now this last part I must definitely say THE highlight of our last night there.

We were all tired after the vacation and it was during the last day at my in laws’ house where I got hold of one of the most interesting pieces of memorabilia that I didn’t quite expect after receiving my first memorabilia from the Holy Land which is the Spikenard Magdalena perfume thru my husband’s Dad.

My mother-in-law gave me Bible Land Treasures’  The Anointing Oil as one of their presents which I am very grateful for. A good God we indeed have. 🙂

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The Anointing Oil

If you haven’t read my article on the Spikenard Magdalena perfume, you can read it up here and it also explains a little bit about the Anointing Oil:

The Holy Perfume: Spikenard Magdalena

As of right now, I haven’t had the slightest idea as to what God’s purposes are why I have to get hold of these two important elements in the bible which is significant in our history on how Christianity started – particularly that of Jesus and the Cross. It is very humbling though that God gave me this privilege to be able to know these elements for real, have an idea how they smelled, what they look like and where and how they were used.

The Anointing Oil smelled more delicate and milder than the Spikenard Magdalena perfume which is a combination of frankincense, myrrh and spikenard. It also has a lighter color as compared to the perfume and less concentrated. I have used the perfume twice already but I haven’t used the anointing oil yet.

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Having shared this, I am now in need of your heartfelt prayers for the Spirit’s leading where these elements can be put into good use, not just for me, but for others as well – that in serving God’s will and purpose. 🙂