Raining and Fleas

It’s been raining here lately. Though its still summer, the weather has dramatically changed. We have rain sometimes early in the morning or early evening. Because of this, we can’t help but allow our dog to sleep inside the house. This is so because we fear that our landlord and neighbors will complain if she barks unstoppably due to the pressing rain.

This of course provides us with a big problem. Our dog has fleas and it’s not highly recommendable that she stays inside. So, I am planning to buy her Frontline Plus, a flea preventive medicine for dogs and cats since the rainy season is already at hand. I might be seeing our dog inside most of the time. It’s better to get the fleas off before the baby comes too!

Read more...

Unprofitable Anger

"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." Ecclesiastes 7:9

Every day of our lives, we are placed in situations that engage us with other people, whether it is in the office, our homes, or in public places.

Do you recall the last time someone cut you off in traffic, or you were forced to wait in line because someone up front got held up? Perhaps your employer did something that was downright unfair. Anger can result from many circumstances.

A friend once told me that anger is like warning lights on the front of your car dashboard. They signal that there is something going on under the hood, and we should take a look to examine the source of the problem.

When we lose control of a circumstance that we have placed certain expectations on and those expectations do not result in our desired outcome, we are tempted to get angry. The source of this type of anger is both fear and protection of personal rights. You see, when we believe we have a right to something, we have not given the Lord permission to allow an outcome different from what we want. If an outcome is different from our expectations, this may stimulate fear.

For instance, if a vendor failed to deliver an important job on time due to something out of his control, you may respond out of anger. Please know that the source of your anger is the fear of what might happen to you or what this might say about your abilities to manage a project. You no longer are in control of the circumstance and this creates fear in you.

The next time you get angry, ask the Lord, what is the source of that anger? Did the Lord allow that failure to let you see what is "under your hood"?

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (see 2 Tim. 1:7). Give up your rights to expectations that God never gave you. You will find a new freedom in Christ you never knew you could have.

by Os Hillman
From: AllWorship.com Newsletter

Read more...

Power Outages

Since the summer came, we always have a power outage almost everyday: one in the morning, one in the afternoon and another one in the evening. Well, if we have a power outage during the mornings and evenings, I don’t care pretty much about it because I can tolerate the humid surroundings. But if during the afternoons, I can’t help but complain always because of the summer heat. It’s making me sweat buckets!

Anyway, sometimes, my neighbors and I jokingly tell each other that we should avail of a hotel reservation promo and stay there all afternoon making use of the aircon because they have generators installed. Sometimes we talk about cold places like Canada and Alaska just to take our thoughts away from the heat.

Oh well, I hope the power shortage will be answered immediately by the government. It’s really hard to live without electricity especially in a tropical country!

Read more...

Just So Sad!

It was a few months ago that I have learned about Mesothelioma. It’s an asbestos caused cancer. When asbestos is inhaled by someone, this can cause serious damage to the body’s vital organs and can later lead to cancer. Asbestos is a material usually used for fire protection in many industrial factories. Now, many employees are getting cancer from inhaling these substances that is why many are seeking the legal help of Mesothelioma lawyers especially those who worked in countries like the US.

Here in our place, it’s hard to get a lawyer. Most employers will win the case because they can afford than that of their employees, the victims. Anyway, it’s really a hard fact and we couldn’t do anything about it. I think the legal system is so expensive here in our country compared to any other places. Just so sad!

Read more...

Pills or Equipment?

Just the other day, my husband and I talked about buying some exercising equipments. It was not actually the first time we talked about it. In fact, we have talked about it since last year. We decided to buy one so that he could lose weight from home but it seems the budget is not quite right for us. We have other priorities that we need to consider.

Well, I have tried offering him to take diet pills like Fenphedra and the like. It is much cheaper compared to buying some exercising equipment at home. He agreed to it several times too but never ever gave himself the chance to take one. He still opens the discussion of saving for it.

Isn’t he a stubborn guy? LOL!

Read more...

Still Incomplete

Now that we have our own rented place to run “again,” I am planning to fill it with new home appliances and housewares since we have sold or gave away some of our own last time. So, I am planning to visit some place that sells wholesale housewares so that I could save some money.


Aside from that, we have no gas stove, no refrigerator and no bed. Our home is still a long way from being complete not only with house items but as a family too. :(

Read more...

Teach Me to Pray

"Teach Me to Pray"

Please teach me, Lord
I want to know
Exactly how to pray.
I need some words
Which ones are right?
Please tell me what to say.
I've bowed my head
I have knelt down
But should I be upright?
I've closed my eyes,
I've raised my hands, Or should I fold them tight?
Do I stand up?
Should I sit down?
Dear Lord, what do you like?
Are lights turned on
Or are they off? Maybe candle light?

Wear my glasses?
Take them off?
Be at my desk or table?

Should I whisper?
Speak out loud? Do I quote the Bible?

What do you think About the time?
Do you prefer the dawn?
Should I pray fast,
Or keep it slow?
Better short or long?
I'm new at this
What are the rules?
I want to do it right.
How do I know
You'll even hear
That I am in your sight?
And while I sat there quietly
Waiting for some sign,
I heard a gentle voice say, "Oh, dearest child of mine

"Do you think I really care
About the time of day,
Or whether you are standing up,
Or kneeling when you pray?

"I don't care about your posture,
Or about the place you choose.
Just open up your soul to me,
I have no other rules.

"Tell me what is in your heart,
And tell me what you seek.
Tell me of your sorrows,
And of those things that made you weak.

"Speak to me in private
About what concerns you most.
I know about your good deeds
You have no need to boast.

"My child, you don't need lessons,
Just talk to me each day;
Tell me anything you want, dear child,
Anyone can pray."

--by Virginia Ellis
From: AllWorship.com Newsletter

Read more...

House Musings

My husband and I bought a simple bamboo living room set. We have bought this temporarily since we can’t afford our dream sala set. We decided that once we will transfer to a permanent house, that is when we will be buying our dream sala set and convert the bamboo into outdoor furniture. With it, we can create a mini reception place for visitors in our future front lawn or garden.


Anyway, we are not yet sure if we are going to buy our own home. My husband’s work here might be relocated to some other place if their power plant would not produce the required output. But if it will, surely we will buy our own home here!

But to be honest, I really want to live here in Bacolod. It’s peaceful and away from bad memories!

Read more...

Casting Crowns - Who Am I

Casting Crown’s Who I Am has hit the local radio charts here in our place. Many times it has been voted as the top song of the week. Now, it’s not only sung at worship halls but all over the city.

If you are not familiar, here is a video clip from YouTube.com and its lyrics from AnyChristainLyrics.com.

"Casting Crowns - Who Am I"

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am.
But because what of youve done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
You told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours.
I am yours.

Read more...

iPhones

Ever since the iphone was released, more people have been dying to get one. And who wouldn’t be? This sleek, chic and elegant phone is definitely a must have for people who are working out their busy schedules. In fact, most executives already have one or something the same.


Anyway, it’s been a few months since the release of iphones in the market but I have noticed that the price haven’t changed that much. I still think that only corporate executives can afford them. But now, they have some improvements too. Many mobile shops are selling iphone accessories now. So, iphone users can get to personalize or jazz up their phones to their heart’s desire.

As for me, having an iphone would be great but since I can’t afford it, might as well be contented with what I have right now. ^_^

Read more...

Unhealthy Lifestyle

My husband’s beer belly has increased in size tremendously in the past few weeks. I guess this comes from his annoying drinking habit. He is so into drinking that I could safely say he is in bondage to that. Aside from being unhealthy, I really want him to stop drinking because this is not living the life he is called to be. I know if he commits himself and ask more help from God, he can overcome this. But of course, he is the only one who has the decision to ask for help. The only thing I can do is hope and pray.

Anyway, I also ask him if he would want to take diet pills or do exercise on some of the available ellipticals in the previous gym he enrolled. Well, he would always answer that he would like to go back to his weight loss program at the gym but he doesn’t have the time.

Gesh…he always make excuses and it really worries me. His lifestyle is so becoming unhealthy!

Read more...

He Walked

He could hear the crowds screaming "crucify, crucify".

He could hear the hatred in their voices, these were His chosen people. He loved them, and they were going to crucify Him. He was beaten, bleeding and weakened. His heart was broken, but still He walked.

He could see the crowd as He came from the palace. He knew each of the faces so well. He had created them. He knew every smile, laugh, and shed tear. But
now they were contorted with rage and anger. His heart broken, but still He walked.

Was He scared? You and I would have been. So His humanness would have mandated that He was. He felt alone. His disciples had left, denied, and even betrayed Him. He searched the crowd for a loving face and He saw very few.

Then He turned His eyes to the only one that mattered. And He knew that He would never be alone.

He looked back at the crowd, at the people who were spitting at Him, throwing rocks at Him and mocking Him and He knew that because of Him, they
would never be alone. So for them, He walked.

The sounds of the hammer striking the spikes echoed through the crowd. The sounds of His cries echoed even louder, the cheers of the crowd, as His hands and feet were nailed to the cross, intensified with each blow.

Loudest of all was the still small voice inside His heart that whispered "I am with you, my son", and God's heart broke.

He had let His son walk.

Jesus could have asked God to end His suffering, but instead He asked God to forgive. Not to forgive Him, but to forgive the ones who were persecuting Him.

As He hung on that cross, dying an unimaginable death, He looked out and saw, not only the faces in the crowd, but also, the face of every person yet to be, and His heart filled with love.

As His body was dying, His heart was alive.

Alive with the limitless, unconditional love He feels for each of us.

That is why He walked.

When I forget how much My God loves me, I remember His walk.

When I wonder if I can be forgiven, I remember His walk.

When I need reminded of how to live like Christ, I think of His walk.

And to show Him how much I love Him, I wake up each morning, turn my eyes to Him, and I walk.

-- Author Unknown
From: AllWorship.com Newsletter

Read more...

Insurance Offers

I am getting a lot of calls from many call center agents. They are offering all sorts of insurance products; from accident insurance, international travel insurance and even a couple’s accident insurance. And the sad fact is I don’t want to be rude to them since they are only doing their jobs. So, I listen to their long sales pitch and in the end I would just say "NO".


Well, I wanted to buy insurances for me and my family but not now. I am still clothed with many credit card debits. I want to settle them first before I buy investments for the future. My income online is not enough to cover another payables monthly.

Aside from that, we also have our daily needs such as food and monthly expenses such as the house rent and utility bills. We have to prioritize this first, then debts and want the least.
How about you? Do you get one for yourself and the family?

Read more...

My Shoes

Thank God for my shoes--they fit only me.

I woke up one day and I realized that there were many things about my life I was not satisfied with.

And I said to myself, "Why should anyone envy me and want to be in my shoes." They don't know how far I've come, they don't know what lies ahead of me, and neither do they know how dissatisfied I get with myself from time to time.

People don't know the troubles that you've had or the price you had to pay to get to where you are. All they know is that they wish they were like you.

Why should you wish you were in anybody's shoes when you don't know how they fit?

When you've worn your shoes for a while, they take the shape of your feet and align to the way you walk.
If you were to wear my shoes, you will not be comfortable in them.

So I stopped wishing that I am in someone else's shoes because they might not fit. Rather I thank God for my shoes, because they fit!

I have learned to be the best in what I do, and I know no one can replace me anywhere.

I am an original.

God is not in the cloning business. He makes originals.

Make the best of what you do. Besides, you have this beautiful life to live only once.

Live it to the fullest.

-- an anonymous author in Nigeria
From: AllWorship.com Newsletter

Read more...

A Team of Bulging Tummies

Just this afternoon, my husband played basketball with our neighbors. It is a yearly summer event that happens within the residential zone of Barangay 35 where we live in. This time, I was able to watch him play again because I insisted to go with him so that I could support him as a cheering wife. So the game started but I was really laughing hard because all of his team mates are just life him – having a hard time playing because all of them have grown to a considerable size! Not to mention, most of them have bulging tummies!

So, I told my husband that each of them needed to take some weight loss pills or even play daily to lose more of those unwanted fats. Anyway, my husband didn’t play that much. He was already losing breath from a few laps. Then I told him that my next project for him would be some exercising machine. He needs to be fit and healthy not only to play basket ball but for his family. Then, he just smiled at me.

Read more...

We Will Worship the Lamb of Glory

For the past few days, I have been singing this worship song. I really don't know why but I guess the lyrics and the tune is definitely a heart felt worship song for me.

"We Will Worship the Lamb of Glory"

We will worship the Lamb of Glory,
We will worship the King of kings,
We will worship the Lamb of Glory,
We will worship the King.

And with our hands lifted high,
We will worship and sing.
And with our hands lifted high,
We come before You rejoicing,
With our hands lifted high to the sky,
And the world wonders why
We'll just tell them we're loving our King.

Read more...

House Hopes

My husband always talked about getting our own home by getting a housing loan from the government. When he talks about it, I can’t help but agree since this is a great time to get a mortgage because of the effects of the economic recession. But of course, we still change our mind because the company where my husband is working is still in the process of stabilizing their operations. There are rumors that they might be assigned somewhere else when the plant can’t produce what was expected from them.

So, we have no choice but to rent a house within our means. Maybe not as lovely as the Outer Banks rentals but enough for the children to be safe and grow in a wholesome neighborhood. My husband’s salary is not enough but I try my best to make sure that I can contribute to the family no matter how little. I am a stay-at-home mommy but I try to find ways to make money.

As of now, the Lord has been very gracious to us. He has provided me a way to earn money while staying at home. It’s not that big but enough to get by every month. I praise Him for that!

Read more...

Time Alone with God

Have you ever seen a couple and thought, "Wow, they look like siblings?"

If given the opportunity to spend a little time with them, you may find that not only do they look alike, they think and act alike.

They speak the same language, have the same purpose, visions and goals. They are simply in sync. They have found their "rhythm", if you will. I witnessed
36 of the 52 years my parents were married (until death he did part) and they made it a priority to serve, learn, get to know and spend time with one another.

Ephesians 5:25 admonishes husbands to go all out in their love for their wives, exactly as Christ has done for us. A love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love for us makes us whole and so should a husband's love toward his wife.

His words should evoke her beauty. Everything He does and says is designed to bring out the best in her which is to his advantage since they are one, striving for that harmony.

Our fellowship with God is parallel to the marital relationship. The more time we spend with Him, the more we become the mirror image of Him. We will
begin to think, act and speak like Him.

Spending time with God should never be a task or chore. It's not the next bullet on your to do list or a quick consult when you're either in distress or looking for answers.

Our time with Him is our existence. It's where we receive instruction, get clarity and direction.

It gives us the opportunity to know Him and become of like mind. We become aligned with His will, His purpose and His plan for our lives. Our time with Him teaches us to love unreservedly. It heals the wounds of our past and makes us whole.

His words spoken during our time alone affirms and builds confidence while at the same time demolishing fear and inferiority. It establishes trust so we can undoubtedly know His character and rest boldly in His abilities.

It disconnects us from confusion, frustration and our daily emotional roller coasters. It gives us access to His peace and puts us in the calm of it all.

Our time with God exposes our hidden motives, impure hearts, and personal agendas, which help keep us in a place of humility, thereby bringing us all to repentance that we may experience 'the refreshing from His presence' (Acts 3:19).

by Pastor Latrice Pace
(Courtesy of AllWorship.com)

Read more...

Watches

If women love jewelries, most men love watches too. Though in the advent of mobile phones some men and women have forgotten to wear watches but there are still a chosen few who loves to wear watches for time and even for fashion. Some are into branded ones, if they couldn’t afford it they settle for pre-owned watches. There are some websites like www.essential-watches.com that offers branded watches both brand new and pre-owned. They have watches like Girard Perregaux, Cartier, Omega, Rolex and many others.

Anyway, as for my own opinion, having a watch is OK. If you prefer branded ones, it’s still OK if you can afford it. Just make sure that you wouldn’t go pass beyond your budget just to be lavished with the cares of this world. So if your money can’t get a brand new one, then settle for pre-owned. It’s still branded and good as new.

Read more...