Prayer

What is prayer? How and when should I pray?

If prayer is a way to communicate with God, then I should do it as I do my tasks each day, as often as every minute...  "Whether our earthly life is beset by trouble or abundant with joy, we must express our thoughts and emotions to God. Our lives become a communion, each moment communicated to our Savior."

The challenge is not so much the what/how/when but the why - why pray? Why must I communicate with the ALMIGHTY who already knows my thoughts and emotions? Isn't it unnecessary? 

After reading James 5:13-30, it becomes obvious that prayer serves many purposes, If done by a righteous person, it is effective and powerful in giving praise to God, in healing the sick, in forgiving confessed sins, in making the impossible possible if we call out to the CREATOR of all things, HE who can move mountains and make the blind see/the lame walk/the mute speak. I love this story about Elijah - Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 

Isn't that amazing?

The next challenge is how do I become a righteous person so that my prayer can be effective and powerful? I suppose my prayer should be to ask God to help me become a person of prayer, to help me focus my heart and mind on things above and to radically change my life and take it captive FOR HIS GREATER GLORY.

What my cousin Erin shared with me...

PHENOMENAL WOMANby Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing of my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

from And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.

Psalm 46

I love this verse! It reminds me that God is bigger than everything I have encountered and will encounter in this life...


<sup>Today in the Word October 21, 2011


1</sup> "God is our refuge and strength, 
   an ever-present help in trouble. 
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way 
   and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 
³ though its waters roar and foam 
   and the mountains quake with their surging.


¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; 
   I will be exalted among the nations, 
   I will be exalted in the earth.”


Are you distressed by the world’s mess or feel like mountains are lurking in your life? Where do you find refuge and help in the midst of chaos? Most people rely on themselves, money, possessions, or prestige for security—but these provide a false sense of protection from vulnerability. Only our sovereign and good Creator and Redeemer is a trustworthy protector and provider. Repent of ways you turn to false security and place your hope in God alone.

October 25, 2011

There are 3 things that Tatay has left behind for all of us to remember -
I call them the 3 H's: HONOR, HONESTY and HUMOR.
For those who really knew my grandfather, the first 2 H's were often associated with his character. The last one, humor, was somewhat less visible in his personality and yet, he did pass it on to several of his offspring. In light of his passing, I felt the impulse to say a prayer and to share it with those who attended his burial at the Elysium Gardens on October 25, 2011.
I now share it with you on this blog...

"Two days ago, House Bill 834 was approved to benefit the centenarians. But it did not come any sooner. If it did, Tatay would have enjoyed 100 grand and 50% senior discounts. Today, nonetheless, Tatay is enjoying something greater, richer, much grander and better. He is, we pray, in the presence of his Maker and smiling upon us - upon his 8 children: Tita Myrna, Tito Donnie, Tita Marlene (my Mom), Tita Daisy, Tita Noemi, Tito Boy, Tita Eva and Tito Mel; upon his 18 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

FAMILY - what a legacy! Without our family the past century would not have made an imprint let alone an impact on this side of heaven, at least for me. I THANK GOD for our family. I pray that those who are left behind will treasure Tatay's legacy for the rest of our lives. May God welcome Tatay in his eternal home, and comfort us in our loss. But most importantly, let us rejoice despite our grieving hearts for Tatay is FREE... he is free to reach down from heaven and take us to a better place as long as we are willing to TRUST, to LOVE, to FORGIVE, and to EMBRACE our LOVED ONES despite our flaws.

May we honor his memory with LAUGHTER despite the tears, with JOY in the midst of grief, with DEEP CONCERN for each other despite the conflicts, with TRUE LOVE that keeps on giving until it hurts. For the GOD ALMIGHTY gave His Son, JESUS CHRIST, to connect with us and rescue us from a bitter end by dying on the cross. HE LOVES US, He loves Tatay and has now called him back home.

This day, we should CELEBRATE not mourn because Tatay is not only with GOD but is also with the wonderful, graceful and gentle soul we've known as Nanay - his wife, your mother, my grandmother and my children's great grandmother."

Fear not terror

To those who fear the Lord, three promises are made: protection, deliverance, and provision. The fear of the Lord manifests itself in words and deeds that glorify God (Ps 34:13-14). Fear of the Lord is not terror in the face of threat. It is a recognition of God’s holiness and majesty and humanity’s sinfulness and frailty. As one Bible scholar puts it, “Fear grows from the respect and honor of which God is worthy.”


http://www.todayintheword.com/GenMoody/default.asp?SectionID=ABECA3F4F745454090BB3C5F613C9CE7&date=10/11/2011

Psalm 42

NEVER LOSE HOPE! My hope is in the LORD, in YHWH I trust..

Psalm 42 opens with deep spiritual thirst. The psalmist craves the refreshment of God’s presence (vv. 1-2), but knows only his bitter tears instead (v. 3). He remembers the former days of festivity and protection in God’s presence (v. 4), yet faces a dark present reality (v. 5). In the midst of the torrent, he summons himself to hope in God. The future is different. “I will yet praise him,” the psalmist declares confidently (v. 5). Though he weeps day and night (v. 3), God also ministers to him day and night (v. 8).

Observe all the names of God in Psalm 42: my God, living God, the Mighty One, my Savior, the LORD, the God of my life, and God my Rock. The psalmist is anchored in who God is. Disheartened, he trusts in the Living One who gives life, in the Mighty One who protects and fights on his behalf, in his Savior who keeps His promises.

http://www.todayintheword.com/GenMoody/default.asp?SectionID=ABECA3F4F745454090BB3C5F613C9CE7&date=10/9/2011

The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost's poem...http://www.internal.org/Robert_Frost

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Crickets (circa 1990)

way past midnight
the crickets chirp, evoking the weavers of destiny
to spin 'round my dreams...


way past midnight
the night clock ticks, stealing slumber from the crib
of a grown-up spirit


way past midnight
at the breaking of dawn, the cock brazenly crows
as each thunder rolls


way past midnight
westerly wind blows, comes the pouring of rain
turning the canopy into gray


way past midnight
everything else feigns death save the crickets the chirp
summoning my destiny

David's Prayer (2 Samuel 7)

²² “How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. ²³ And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?^[b] 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, LORD, have become their God."

The Lord is my delight, I will trust in Him!

Psalm 37:4

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Take delight in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Proverbs 3:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.

Favorite Blogs

http://bloggingyourpassion.com/how-to-get-others-to-drive-traffic-to-your-blog/

http://christianpf.com/5-bible-verses-about-money-every-christian-should-know/

http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_ProgramDetail.aspx?id=74756

http://harperhouse4.blogspot.com/

http://www.persecutionblog.com/2011/08/update-on-the-persecuted-church-with-janet-parshall.html

Hannah

What an excellent woman and an inspiration! Hannah, whose name means favor or graciousness, not only showed grace when taunted by Peninnah but also humility when blessed by God. She was bestowed with a son named Samuel whom she gave back to the Lord (1 Sam 1:24-28). Hannah's song, a fervent prayer of worship and praise, is likened to Mary's (the Magnificat). When I read about her, I cannot help but think of the importance of dedicating my children to God. I recognize that God intended me to be a mother. I pray that He will supply me with wisdom, humility and grace that I may bring up my children for His greater glory. First of all, as we think of all Samuel became we realize how the excellencies of many men have usually been foreshadowed, if not exemplified, in the characters of their mothers... As no one in all the bleak world is more fitted to guide little feet God-ward, may heaven grant us more mothers like godly Hannah.   


Refer to "All the Women of the Bible" http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/all-women-bible/2011/08/15

Idolatry

I awoke with an unsettling question - Has my heart been occupied with something else, more than with God?
Have my affections been set on the things of earth, instead of the things of heaven?
Charles Spurgeon wrote it best,  "A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; He must be loved first and best. He will withdraw the sunshine of His presence from a cold, wandering heart."


I do not want a cold or even lukewarm heart. I want a heart fired up for God. But how? Is praying enough? Is reading the Bible enough? Is going to church enough? I must say not. My heart is constantly yearning for something greater than these, something I have yet to find. Perhaps it's about time to get involved in a ministry... if only I could be more committed. I pray that God will help me walk the walk and talk the talk. May He lead me to the right path. May He pave the way for me and grant me direction.

"Amos’s audience felt invincible (having won military victories) and immune (having God on their side). The entire book of Amos aimed to cure them of this delusion. Did they think they had accomplished success all by themselves? Did they think God didn’t see their idolatry and other sins? This should prompt us to ask ourselves if we’re putting our faith in anything other than God—perhaps our own abilities, resources, or plans. If so, the prophet’s wake-up call is aimed at us, too!"
http://www.todayintheword.com/ 8/22/11

A Simple Heart

A hug, a smile...a visit from loved ones
you haven't seen in a while.
An evening stroll, a patient friend
who will walk with you till the very end.
A chivalrous act that brings forth romance
by a soul mate whom you long to embrace.
A cup of comfort
through laughter and tears;
Love and prayers
despite the fears.
Simple gestures done genuinely
turn great because they matter truly.

Warning!

I found a book that had this warning: "Long-term reading will lead to wisdom" - GOOD NEWS, I think!!! This is one sure warning that I better heed. God wrote a Book and it's considered the Operator's Manual on Life. As the author of life, God wants nothing more than to impart wisdom on His breathing, thinking and reasoning creation - the human being. I love the truth found in His Holy Book, it tells me about His faithfulness and lovingkindness. It teaches me that God is in control and has the ultimate answer to life's unfathomable mysteries.
One of my favorite verses can be found in Psalm 23 - the Lord is my shepherd...

Mercy of a Loving GOD

I see the globe from where I'm lying and start to think of God's mercy.
What if, with His mighty hands,
He smites the whole earth until it's nothing but a pile of ashes,
or hurls it into the abyss because He is done with it,
He is done with the human race?
...
But HE is MERCIFUL... his justice is tempered with mercy.
Though this world will end, I know that His Word will reign forever and ever.
May Scripture remind me of the truth that He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last.

From www.todayintheword.com for Aug.3rd:
Peter wrote, “the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:9-13; cf. 1 Thess. 5:1-6). Though it sounds fearful, this will be a day of great rejoicing for Christians because it heralds the return of Christ. We long for this day and cry out, “Maranatha,” or “Come, Lord” (1 Cor. 16:22; Rev. 22:20).

Desire = Behavior

Jeremy Camp, one of my fave artists, sings "My Desire" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04wLNGk8xxg, its chorus reverberating in my ears... one has to take a listen. In my day-to-day meandering, it's not what I think of but I ought to. As one author said, the flesh and the Spirit operate on the level of desire. What I want dictates what I do, and until what I want begins to change my behavior will not change. If I make it my desire to please God and be used by Him, then my hope is that my heart will be transformed. And if what I really want is to live according to His will then I pray for that desire in my heart to translate into thoughts and actions... it's never easy but it's worth the energy!

My Little Nook

All it takes is a couple of white see-through panels and "Voila!" - a small corner in our bedroom converted into something I can call a space to myself. After agonizing over what to do with what was left behind when our baby's crib was moved to his big brother's room three nights ago, I finally got my little nook (thanks to an Ikea catalog). I must say that - with my husband's patience - it's good to look around for creative ideas to solve spatial problems. It would be nice to find some really fine designer's items on the dime, but everything seems to be inflated no matter how much one tries to save. Where can we get deals nowadays?
At any rate, I am satisfied to have a niche that is serene, quiet and undisturbed...at long last!

Spurgeon

After stumbling upon "Morning and Evening" devotionals, my curiosity grew about the man who wrote these prayers in nineteenth century English. Just to post a piece of it, let me quote:

"Behold the Emperor of Woe who had no equal or rival in his agonies! Gaze upon him, ye mourners, for if there be not consolation in a crucified Christ there is no joy in earth or heaven. If in the ransom price of his blood there be not hope, ye harps of heaven, there is no joy in you, and the right hand of God shall know no pleasures for evermore. We have only to sit more continually at the cross foot to be less troubled with our doubts and woes. We have but to see his sorrows, and our sorrows we shall be ashamed to mention. We have but to gaze into his wounds and heal our own. If we would live aright it must be by the contemplation of his death; if we would rise to dignity, it must be by considering his humiliation and his sorrow." http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/today


Intrigued by the author, I googled Charles Spurgeon and clicked on this one in particular http://www.spurgeon.org/aboutsp.htm. Here's what it says about this preacher:

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861 the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.
Spurgeon's printed works are voluminous, and those provided here are only a sampling of his best-known works, including his magnum opus, The Treasury of David. Nearly all of Spurgeon's printed works are still in print and available fromPilgrim Publications, PO Box 66, Pasadena, TX 77501.

Stormy Weather

It's summer and I hear thunder claps... there's going to be another storm, my husband points out.
I find it almost comforting, albeit scary, to see a flash of lightning and hear the rolling thunder that follows. It's comforting because it makes God more real, for who creates such a scene? It looks as though He's giving us a free fireworks event. As long as we're sheltered from it, the storm hardly affects us save our senses. But when we are in the eye of the storm, I wonder if we will ever survive.

This year marks our 10th wedding anniversary. Our mutual bliss has produced 2 young male hybrids, both under age 5. This year also marks our first time to see some turbulence in the forecast. God has somewhat sheltered us from the economic crisis this past decade. But we are not immune, and so the sky seems to be getting darker as lightning flashes across it, the din louder as we head into the eye of the storm...

I know that God did not promise a day without trouble, a life without extreme weather conditions. I can only pray that God will keep us strong and faithful in the midst of it.

Dust

As this is the beginning of my blog, I have no better way of starting it than by quoting a passage in Genesis.
Genesis 2:7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.


"... for dust you are and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:19
Indeed, I am nothing but dust - nothing glorious or mysterious, just made of inanimate "particles of earth or waste matter" - without life, without form... 


but I have been made new by the Living God who breathed into my life and said, "Believe" and I did. I accepted Jesus Christ into my life as my Lord and Savior ... He is no mere man, He is God-made-man. Through this blog, I will proclaim my faith in Him and pray that I can write about my faith with boldness. Jesus is my hope and salvation, and I can look forward to life after death through Him, because of Him.
1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.