Monday, June 25, 2012

Ten Rich Thoughts For The Week

10.  I'm praying for you to think like you've never thought…do what you've never done...be what you've never been...all for His glory.
 
  9.  God's Word overrides . . .overrules. . .overflows. . .overcomes fear.
 
  8.  If you don't expect the seed you've sown to produce a harvest. . .you have, in fact, robbed it of its ability to do so.
 
  7.  No matter the adversity. . .God's desire is for you to breakthrough, break out or bust loose of what’s been holding you back.
 
  6.  Fear cannot thrive...where faith is alive.
 
Here are the Top Five Rich Thoughts Nuggets.
 
  5.  "Early to bed, early to rise until you make enough money to do otherwise." Anonymous quote from my book "Great Minds At Work"
 
  4.  You are becoming what you imagine yourself to be.
 
  3.  Many people want the blessings of God without the relationship or the lifestyle of a believer. It doesn’t work that way.
 
  2.  If you believe your seed won't produce a harvest…you're right. If you believe your seed will produce a harvest...you're right.
 
And the Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected as Number One is:
 
  1.  Success is not an accident. It happens when prior proper planning and prayer meet opportunity.

Rich Thoughts - by H. Herring

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Happy Father's day!

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 
Proverbs 23:22 (NIV)

Friday, June 15, 2012

Looking for a house for rent

...not for us but for our Pastor and his family.

because he was given only fifteen days (from June 6) to vacate the church property, we are now in  a hurry, they only have 5 days left :(

For specifics, probably near San Isidro and Palanan because the kids are in school. They actually have a house in Bulacan but they can't leave the city because of the ministry and their kids.

We've been scouting and searching for days now but to no avail. But we know that God will not let them live in the streets :) and if that is what the enemy wants, well I'm sorry to say God will not let that happen.

So please if you know of a house or an apartment for rent just inform me ASAP. They're not picky, even if it is an old house (at this time they won't look for anything else such as if the wires or hoses are teflon hose or not, as long as it can accommodate them and the kids, it's gonna be fine with them.


Thank God it's Friday :)

Because that would mean no office for two days. Hooray for the weekend! 

There are few things I want to be excited about this weekend (besides from not going to work) On Sunday will be our first ever formal worship service with our new church name (pending registration though)but still i want to be excited about it. The last two weeks are pure chaos and pains and worries and I'm looking forward to worshiping with my brothers and sisters in Christ again. It's been a long time.

Also on Sunday afternoon, we will attend a Mcdonald birthday party for our godchild. We will make some balloon arrangement too for her. It is such a busy weekend and no time for grieving to what have happened, it's time to move on and start forgetting the past. It won't be easy but at least we will start now. The only problem I see this weekend is our home chores specially the laundry. How I wish I have tons of clothes ( would love to have  rj classics apparel too)and that it won;t be a problem to us even if we don't launder for at least two months..hahaha! lazy me :)

What are your plans this weekend? Are you also excited for your Sunday worship service?

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Saying it with flowers

My husband (being the practical type of guy) is not the type who give flowers from time to time, you know just to surprise you in an ordinary day. It would be a big surprise to me if one day he ask and search about sending flowers with an online company and decided to send me one in the office (kilig much ako nun!) but there are few occasions since we got married that he has given me flowers ( still not the kind of expensive flowers)but it's alright at least he made an effort.

here are some of the flowers he gave me on very rare moment..:) I think most of them are my birthdays.

 A blue, yellow and red rose

and he has also given me some flowers that he picked somewhere (like the flowers below-taken while we were strolling the streets at my sisters's place in Bulacan)




and here's the funniest part, when we are in the grocery store, he would always go to the flowers section, pick a bunch of flowers and give it to me, as soon as I said thank you and I love you too, I will return the flowers and he'll return it to their stand.

I love my husband, he may not give me the best of material things but his love for me is priceless and he does not say it only with flowers.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Update.Recording.Change


The husband and his band mates are now in full swing ( I’d like to think it that way) in recording. They have three schedules now in a week and so my hopes are high that we have not to wait too long to finally get hold of their very first worship album.

Amidst the recording though are the many changes taking place in our church or should I say former church? It is quite sad that when this album is released we will no longer be there. I know deep in my heart that some of the people we will leave behind are the very people who also dreamt with us for this album. I just hope they would still want to hear the band’s songs even if we aren’t together anymore.

Come to think of it, change is inevitable no? Whether we like it or not we have to face change at some point in our life. And even if that change is for the better somehow it still hurts. The process of leaving something that you used to do or be with is not easy.

Anyways, even if this journey to change that we are going through right now seems “ugly” at the moment I know in God’s perfect time that He’ll make all things beautiful. And who can tell when God's time is? it can be tomorrow or next week or next month or even next year. I will just wait. And while waiting, we will keep on praising God and doing what we are supposed to do.

I will keep you all posted for the changes and updates on our new ministry areas and new church.

~*~*

Meanwhile, if you are looking for coat racks, you might want to visit http://www.coatracks.com/ and you can save up to 30% on their sale item :)

Have a blessed day everyone!

June 17. Father's Day

My father just phoned me a while ago, he seldom calls me and when he does I know it is important and yes I was not wrong, it is important because it is about his medicines. The call reminded me also that it's Father's day on Sunday, (if you still don't have gifts for your father you can check redenvelope fathers day gifts online catalog) I wonder what we will do in the church for the Fathers :)

As for me, I don't know what to give him, I want to give him money so he can buy what he wants,(hopefully)  but definitely we will visit them on Sunday and have dinner with them. Spending time with your parents can be the best gift di ba?

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Home alone. sleepy

I'm home alone tonight. I decided not to go with my husband in the recording studio. I need to sleep early because of work tomorrow. I am not really used to being alone here in the house and it feels sad, good thing I have internet (though too slow) and my Tablet to keep me company.

But because I am sleeping early (to think I just woke up 5 hours ago) I'll just make a quick visit to facebook and some friends blog and I'll be off to bed. I don't know but I think i am too sleepy.

It's holiday here today ( Philippine's Independence day) and I spent all day at home sleeping. Sigh. at least I am rested and hopefully ready for days work tomorrow :)

Have a blessed evening everyone!! God loves you!





Monday, June 11, 2012

happy food. happy thought

I am an emotional eater. I admit that. When I am emotionally down (that means sad/grieving/unhappy) I tend to eat more than what I should and when I say more than it really is more. I remember one time when I got mad with my husband, I finish all the dinner food that was supposed to be for the two of us. :) Now that things are bad and I am so down, all I want to do is eat and eat and eat. Hoping that I can eat all the sadness away.

Anyways, I'm trying to look for foods that will make me happy or at least help ( although of course the source of joy and happiness is only our Lord Jesus) they say chocolate is a happy food, my husband and I have been munching on chocolates since last week and I don't know if that helped.

Maybe something different will lift my mood like chocolate covered berries or bananas dipped in chocolate or a taste of my favorite native longganisa and bagoong. Just thinking of it makes me happy na :) Maybe I should have them for dinner later :)

Saturday, June 9, 2012

First song


These pictures will always be memorable for me and for Rudolf because this was his very first time and set in the recording studio. "Sasayaw at Sisigaw" is the first song they did and is now finished. Hopefully the worship album will be launched before the year ends. I didn't know that recording really takes time but I'm sure it's worth the wait and the effort :)

My husband has still lot to learn about music, even if he knows how to play most of the instruments, he does not stop learning, recently he found an old flute in the house (not the kind yamaha flutes though) and he's been playing it.

I don't know what's next for him :) I pray he'll continue his passion in music and that he'll keep using it to serve the Lord.

Dinner for a Cause Pictures

Again, thank you everyone for the support! God bless you all!!






Friday, June 8, 2012

Motorcycle needs

Just today, my husband Rudolf went to Las Pinas in his motorbike to meet a friend and he forgot his jacket, he didn't notice how hot the weather is. Well, he went home with his two arms sun burnt. he actually want a Joe Rocket Jacket and helmets because it is nice and the sun will surely not burn his arms anymore :) Maybe someday when we have no more major expenses and debts to pay, I'll buy him one :) Today our urgent need is a helmet for me because we lost mine few weeks ago. Joe Rocket helmets are nice too :) but nice as they maybe we can't afford them for now.

Healthy Hat

Every rainy season, Fishnets is conducting seminars to parents mostly moms from  urban poor areas. The goal is to teach them and educate them about diseases that are common during rainy days and how to prevent them, alongside the seminar is a free medical check up, where we check their blood pressure and sugar and then we give them vitamins for their kids.

This is to at least help them avoid such diseases that cost them their much needed money. Urban poor people  can not afford medical insurance so for sure they spend money in medicines and hospitalization. I can't even afford it even if I work regularly, not even a cheap and a no medical exam life insurance. Though the government is providing free medical assistance through our health centers sometimes it is still not enough.

So this June or maybe next month, there will be Healthy hat seminars in our ministry area. Please pray that the mothers will really learn something from this and that they would benefit from it.

Back to School

Our high scholars have gone back to school since Monday. I pray they will study hard and will really exert effort to finish school with high grades. I know it won't be easy as school is hard work , assignments here and there, researches, experiments (don't know though if they use laboratory furnaces in their experiments) but really I hope they would strive hard.

Our college students will go back to school next week. Two of them are freshmen and I'm sure there will be huge adjustments in their life. I pray they can adjust well and they''l not just be plain students in the school but model students and ambassadors of Christ.

Pray for our scholars and let's keep on supporting them.

Rainy Days

June is when the rainy season officially starts here but why is it still so hot? Yes, it rains and it gets cooler but when the rain stops it heat shoots up again. I literally want to soak my self with a fireman's single jacket fire hose..that would be cool! well, if I won't be thrown away :) hehe!


If only things happen right away when you just wish :)

Rudolf my husband said, he wish he is in Alaska now. I wish I am in a nice hotel with good air conditioning system and with lots of food! :)

How about you? what do you wish for now?

God is good all the time!

These are indeed tough days, in all aspect, spiritual, financial and emotional.

A lot has been happening to us and to the church. Sometimes I can't comprehend anymore, my mind and heart cannot process any longer, all the incidents and stuff. But I am holding on to God's word and that these happenings doesn't indicate that He is not good because God is good all the time, even in the toughest day.

I was actually sick yesterday (emotionally stress and the lack of sleep) are the culprit. I had terrible headache and body pain and was throwing up. Last night, I prayed and ask the Lord to give me complete rest and a sound sleep. I woke up and I feel strengthened :)

Yes, times are hard, situations are not good but GOD is GOOD all the time!

We haven't been to grocery store for like a month now, haven't seen barcode scanner for a while but we were never hungry. yes, money is hard at this point in time but GOD is GOOD all the time!

There is no reason not to praise the LORD everyday because His goodness never fails :)

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Our Words can Heal or Destroy



by Christina Ryan Claypool


Words are a powerful tool. Some folks never learn just how powerful they are. Rather, by not guarding what they say, they spend their lives wreaking emotional havoc wherever they go. In explanation, loving words can heal a broken bond, while hurtful remarks could destroy a relationship forever. The importance of governing words is sometimes lost on those who grow up in dysfunction, like I did. We can become misguided individuals believing that as long as we aren’t physically abusing anyone, screaming, or cursing; that verbal attacks are acceptable.

What happened behind closed doors when we were children, is often not an acceptable role model for healthy communication. No matter our age, and regardless of how painful our past has been, it’s wrong to think that God allows His children to wound others. West central Ohio’s Pastor Randy Bargerstock shared this poignant truth in a message once. He said that there is a lie that some people believe that when they have been hurt, this gives them the right to hurt others.

The Bible contradicts this falsehood, “The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things. But I tell you, on the Day of Judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, non-working) word they speak. For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, [or]…you will be condemned and sentenced.” Matthew 12:35-37

Not only will we be called to account for our words, but the kind of life that we live today is dependent on healthy communication. After all, Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].” In explanation, unchecked anger, lack of forgiveness, or bitterness, can drive us to say cruel things to others. In Matthew 12:34 we are told that, “…For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks.”

“If we permit wrong thoughts [or motives] to dwell in our hearts, we will ultimately speak them. Whatever is hidden in our hearts will sooner or later be expressed openly through our mouths,” cautions Evangelist Joyce Meyer.

Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages also believes that words have great impact. He even identifies, “Words of Affirmation,” as a basic love language for some individuals. “One way to express love emotionally is to use words that build up,” explains the bestselling writer. “Verbal compliments, or words of appreciation, are powerful communicators of love,” adds Chapman.

However, sometimes relationships, and especially marriages, fall into a vicious cycle where partners exchange criticisms and complaints, instead of encouraging words. When a relationship reaches this point, author and speaker, Nancy Leigh DeMoss suggests fasting critical comments for 30 days to break the destructive pattern.

Because a man’s greatest need in relationship is respect, the harm of disrespectful words can cause great division. Since a woman’s primary need is for love, she will also begin to have damaged emotions from constant verbal criticism.

Biblical writer, James understood the power of words. “But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless…evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness! Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.” James 3:8-10

We can’t tame our own tongues, but God can. After all, most of us realize that domestic violence is never acceptable often forgetting that verbal battering is another form of abuse. Therefore, ask the Holy Spirit to guard your mouth during disagreements. In addition, realize that you don’t have to raise your voice to be abusive. Rather a demeaning tone or the viciousness of accusatory words can break a loved one’s heart. I will honestly admit that I’m writing this, because controlling my words has been one of my greatest life struggles.

If you are like me, and you do feel yourself losing control, walk away from the situation, until you are able to deal with the confrontation more calmly. Also, apologize to those you have wounded in the past, assuring them that you are working on communicating more appropriately. Pray for wisdom, requesting God’s help in changing destructive verbal behavior. “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure; then it is peace loving, courteous, (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits…” James 3:17

If you have read all of the above, then please watch this incredibly insightful, but very short video that millions of viewers have seen on YouTube. You will be amazed at how we say, what we say, affects our lives.



Christina Ryan Claypool is a 1st place Amy Award winning freelance journalist and Christian speaker. She is the author of the book, Seeds of Hope for Survivors. Contact her through her Website at www.christinaryanclaypool.com

My Father and his hats

Whenever I go out of town for a vacation or mission trip, I make sure I bring my father home a Cowboy Hat, I have bought him so many (lost count already) as far as I remember , got him one from Malaysia and Hongkong and he always love it!

The pictures below were taken on his 75th birthday and each of us are wearing his hats :)
the girls in the family with my Tatay
and the boys :)
I pray I can bring him more hats in my future travels and mission trips :D

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

New things to come

It's 6:00 in the morning and I am still awake. I had a very rough night last night  but surprisingly I'm okay now. It is still sad and I still don't understand everything but I've already offered it to the Lord.

We're moving out of the church and I guess you know that it is not easy. I'll post more about it (probably the details when I have the time and I'm rested and I can sit still in front of the pc and write my heart out)

For now, I am (we are) excited for the new chapter of our life, new worship place, new people, new souls to win and new environment. It would be hard to start anew specially if you start from scratch as in nothing even one chair (I wish I have silver bars from Golden Eagle which I can sell so we can buy all the things we will be needing in the new church but alas I have none.

But that only makes me even more excited to see and witness how God will work and how He will provide for our every need.

I'll keep you updated. :) Thank you for all the prayers and support!! Love you all!


Soul Surfer

Another faith/ inspirational movie that I recently saw is "Soul Surfer". If you haven't seen it I strongly recommend it because it will truly inspire you (specially those who are in not so good situation or is facing trials in their life) This movie will remind you that whatever happens, God is in control which is so true.

Of course, you don't want something bad happening in any member of your family right? I always worry about road accidents because we do often ride a motorbike ( although my husband make sure that we wear our motorcycle helmets when we go out and ride but still it does not ensure us that nothing wrong is going to happen.) But what if something terribly wrong happened? How will you face it?

The soul surfer "Bethany Hamilton" was attacked by a shark in one of her surfing days and she lost her left arm but that didn't stop her from going back to her board and the water. Her determination and her faith is very inspiring. It's a very good movie.

I am hoping I can get hold of the book also. I would definitely love to read it. One of my favorite quote in the movie is this "I don't know why terrible things happen to us sometimes. But I have to believe something good is going to come out of this."-Sarah Hill

I know something good is going to come out in my current situation now :)


Enjoy the movie or the book everyone !

Monday, June 4, 2012

Letters to God

We've been watching faith inspirational movies lately. We rarely watch movies now because for one our television was broken and we can only watch in our computer (subject to movies we can play with it) I hope we can have our tv set replaced so I can watch movies again and maybe watch comfortably sitting in huge bean bags with buckets of popcorn :)..but that's me dreaming lang....

So anyways, last night we watch "Letters to God" and it made me cry a lot.

I used to do that, I write letters to God, though I don't mail them of course instead I write them on my notebook and I realize I miss doing that. Writing letters to God is actually praying, it's a written prayer.

I remember that when I'm feeling low, I write and I tell God how I feel but I also have letters thanking Him and praising Him for his goodness and love.

It helped me a lot, I don't know but during that stage of my life where I used to write letters to God, that's when I feel I am closest to HIM. It feels different. And it also  nice to once in a while go back and read your letters. I do that once in a while.

Now I wish I can go back to writing my letters to God again.



What to Do When You Have No Way Out

By Phil Cooke

image source : google

I’ll never forget the experience of being fired. I was 36 years old, with a wife and two small children. After telling my wife Kathleen, we sat on the bed, cried a little, and realized there was no way out. But looking back today, I can see the jolt of that experience was the best thing that could have ever happened. Shortly afterwards, we began the greatest journey of change we had ever experienced, because I had hit a wall. I had no other choice, and there was only one answer—change or die. Perhaps you’ve hit your wall. Maybe you’ve been fired, divorced, financially ruined, hit bottom from substance abuse, been humiliated, experienced failure, or had a close call with death. If your life has been completely turned upside down, and you’re at the end of your rope, then you have it easy.

That’s right—you have it easy! Doing the research for my book on how to change your life called “Jolt!” I discovered that the most difficult aspect of changing your life is beginning – taking the first step. Most people rest on their laurels, take the easy way out, rationalize their options—anything—to keep from changing. If you’ve hit your wall and have no other options, then your decision is already made. Your choice has been decided and you’re on the way up! But if you haven’t quite hit bottom yet and been jolted into reality, the choice is going to be much tougher.

Your arguments might include: Sure I’m frustrated with my job, but at least it’s a paycheck, and a lot of people are out of work right now. I’m not really drinking that much, and after all, I could quit just about any time. Oh, I dreamed about a different life, but that was a kid’s dream. It’s not really something that’s realistic for me to pursue now. I could advance faster if I got my college degree, but I work all day, so why should I spend my evenings going to class? I could go on and on. I don’t know your particular frustration, but I’m sure you have a million excuses for why you’ve never begun your journey to change. You haven’t hit your particular wall, so your life could easily go on for years, maybe your whole life, before you realize you’ve traded your dreams for a shallow, empty copy.

“The absence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously.” – Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger

The truth is, as long as we see any other way out, very few of us will muster the will to make real change happen. But the good news is, hitting a wall can be your ticket to freedom because it forces you to change course and to do it now. A friend thought he was doing fine until doctors discovered he had developed cancer of the esophagus. His treatment and recovery forced him to leave his business and literally took him out of everything for more than four years. Thinking his career was over, he nearly gave up. But hitting that wall jolted him, and the experience completely changed his perspective on life. As a result, he’s transformed his thinking about his purpose for living, and guess what? His cancer even went into remission and he’s back at work.

Whatever your wall—getting fired, losing your home, receiving the medical diagnosis you’ve dreaded, closing your business, bankruptcy, divorce, whatever—it doesn’t have to be the end. As terrible as the wall may be, you can overcome it if you use the moment to jolt you back to reality. You have to face the fact that circumstances won’t change until you change. Family members won’t change until you change. Your job won’t change until you change. And your future will never change until you make a decision. Embrace the wall. Let it help you focus your mind and face the real truth about your situation.


Phil Cooke has produced media programming in more than 40 countries around the world, and in the process, been shot at, survived two military coups, fell out of a helicopter, and in Africa, been threatened with prison. And during that time, he's helped some of the largest non-profit organizations in the world navigate periods of dramatic disruption and change.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Waiting before the Lord

It's middle of the year already. JUNE and we are expecting a lot of change to be happening soon. I am just not so sure on how extensive the changes will take place and no I'm not talking about me wearing those stylish maternity clothes soon, which I hope of course :) but I'm talking about church and ministry here as this our ministry blog.

Currently, we are on rest and waiting (just finished the dinner for a cause event and that would be all for me now).

Psalm 37:7 said "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" and that is what we are doing.

Waiting for the Lord's instructions and waiting patiently for Him.

I trust that the Lord has GREAT PLANS for us and I am so sure of that. We just have to wait for now