Today's HomeWord: Like Honey for the Soul

Like Honey for the Soul
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24

“Cancer” is just one of those words. It evokes different reactions in different people. For the most part, it is a scary word. No one ever hears cancer and thinks “Great News!” So what do you say to someone when you learn they have this disease (or any for that matter)? Do you say anything at all? It’s tough to know the right thing to do at these moments. But, sometimes when we decide not to say anything, we miss an opportunity to encourage someone.

My dad was recently diagnosed with cancer and it has been interesting to watch people do the dance of trying to decide if they should say anything…or what they should say! We all have been faced with this challenge. How do you let others know you are praying for them and thinking about them, without making them feel inundated with worry, concern and questions? Where is the balance? On one hand, we want them to know we care, and on the other hand, we know that they want to continue on as normally as possible without having to be constantly reminded of their sickness, or defined by it.

I love today’s proverb that addresses the concept of words. This verse tells us that kind words are like honey. Honey is smooth and sweet and good for you. If we consider the opposite, unkind (or bad words) are like daggers to the gut, slowly tearing our spirit and soul down.

When I am faced with a situation where I have an opportunity to encourage someone or let her know I am thinking about her (or him), I remember that one cannot go wrong with kind words. Yes, we need to think through timing and location, and the need to choose carefully what we say, but it’s unlikely that anyone will be angry with someone who has good intentions. Let me encourage you to take every opportunity to share with others words that are kind. They are like honey for the soul.

GOING DEEPER:

1. How do you feel when someone shares a kind word with you?

2. With whom can you share good words today?

FURTHER READING :
Proverbs 15:4; Romans 13:11; James 3:2

HomeWord
Encouraging Parents…Building Families

HomeWord provides bottom-shelf, real-life, practical resources ranging from 411 (information) and 911 (crisis resources) to help parents.

My Request

"Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:"

"Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."

Proverbs 30: 8, 9

Ask Yourself Again...

Is Your Music Still in You?

Dan Miller

48Days.com

Oliver Wendall Holmes once said, “Many people die with their music still in them.” I think that captures the fear of about 99% of the people I see who come in for career coaching. Either they know exactly what gift or talent they have that they are not using or they are just afraid they have somehow missed finding their real authentic and fulfilling path.

What is that area that is lying dormant for you? I recently had a pharmacist approach me at the end of a short presentation I titled Hold Fast to Dreams. He said he had been in his profession for 17 years and could not think of any dreams he had. In his description of his “responsible, predictable” life it became clear to both of us that his dreams had become buried along the way. All those childhood passions had been put aside as one responsibility led to another. At this point he was so desensitized that he couldn’t even bring them to mind anymore. He began weeping in the 3 minutes of our conversation as he identified his current life.

You know the symptoms: as a child you loved singing but now you haven’t sung in 20 years. Or every time you see a news item about the starving people in Africa it brings you to tears - but you’ve never done anything to help. Or when you see a beautiful painting you remember how much you loved that second grade art class. You may recognize that whenever you are around old people you are energized by the compassion and wisdom they have - but you only go there once or twice a year.

Change - even when unwelcome or unexpected, often wakes up those dormant dreams. I have seen physicians move to the country to take up organic gardening, pastors who switched to fulfilling careers as artists, and housewives who emerged from the years of raising children to release their gifts in writing and counseling.

“Many people die with their music still in them. Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live…Before they know it….time runs out.” Oliver Wendell Holmes.

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Dan Miller is President of The Business Source, founder of "48 Days" and author of 48 Days To The Work You Love, 48 Days To Creative Income and the recently released No More Mondays. He is the growing authority for creating effective life plans that are achieved by integrating natural gifts, unique personality traits and one's own values and passions. His unique clarification of how God gifts us will introduce you to a new sense of freedom and fulfillment of your life's calling. For more information, visit http://www.48days.com/ .

The 5 Love Languages of Children

A must-read for parents!!!

About Samuel Morse

Our Plans and God's Plans

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Have you ever heard of someone who spent years of preparation for one vocation only to end up doing something completely different? Perhaps this could be said of you. Quite often we have in our minds what we believe we want to do only to have a course correction. Often the course correction comes through a major crisis that forces us into an area that we would never have considered.

Such was the case for Samuel Morse. Born in 1791, Morse grew up desiring to be an artist, and he eventually became very talented and internationally known. However, it was difficult to make a living as an artist in America during that time. A series of crises further complicated his vocational desire when his wife died; then his mother and father also died soon after. He went to Europe to paint and reflect on his life. On his return trip aboard a ship, he was captivated by discussions at dinner about new experiments in electromagnetism. During that important occasion, Morse made the following comment, "If the presence of electricity can be made visible in any part of the circuit, I see no reason why intelligence may not be transmitted by electricity." In the face of many difficulties and disappointments, he determinedly perfected a new invention, and, in 1837, applied for a patent that became what we know today as the telegraph. He also created Morse code. It was only later, after many more setbacks and disappointments, that his projects received funding.

Samuel Morse later commented, "The only gleam of hope, and I cannot underrate it, is from confidence in God. When I look upward it calms any apprehension for the future, and I seem to hear a voice saying: 'If I clothe the lilies of the field, shall I not also clothe you?' Here is my strong confidence, and I will wait patiently for the direction of Providence." Morse went on to create several other inventions and can be recognized today as the father of faxes, modems, e-mail, the internet and other electronic communication. ["Glimpses," Issue #99 (Worcester, Pennsylvania: Christian History Institute, 1998).]

God's plans may not always seem to follow our natural inclination. Perhaps God has you taking a path that may not lead to His ultimate destination for you. Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all you do, and He shall direct your path (see Prov. 3:5-6).

Source: Marketplace Meditation

Daily Devotional: Write As You Read Your Bible

Write as You Read Your Bible

Have you ever read a portion of Scripture - perhaps even several pages or chapters - only to realize that you have no idea what you just read? Your eyes may be reading words but your mind is thinking about the phone call you just received or your day's schedule. If you wish to know God, you must know His Word, advised C. H. Spurgeon.

How to make the Word come alive within you:

• Write out portions of the Word. Do you remember in elementary school when the teacher would instruct the class to copy a list from the blackboard? The teacher knew you were more likely to grasp and remember the concepts if you copied the words. God knew how prone His people were to forget what He had told them. Over and over, He challenged them to remember Him, to remember His law, to remember what He had done for them. Taking time to write out specific passages from the Word forces you to think about what you are reading and to observe the details of the text more carefully. You could begin by writing out paragraphs of scriptures on index cards, then meditating on or memorizing those passages.

• Write in your Bible. Underline verses you find particularly meaningful to you. In time your Bible will tell a story of your personal journey of faith during a specific period of time. Circle repeated words or phrases. Write cross references in the margin as well as noting the meaning of specific words or phrases.

• Record insights. When John was in exile, he was given a vision of heaven. The Lord appeared to him and said, Write on a scroll what you see...Write, therefore, what you have seen (Rev. 1:11,19). Likewise, you can write what you have seen in scripture. Use journals to record your observations and insights that the Holy Spirit has shown you while reading and meditating on the Word. Each time you write, record the date and passage you are reading.

• Record your responses. Ask yourself, What should I do? God told Ezekiel that the problem with His people was that They sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice (Ex. 33:31). How does this truth apply to my life? What changes need to be made in my life?

• Record milestones in your spiritual pilgrimage. When the Israelites were attacked by the Amalekites, God used the occasion to teach the eager Joshua to rely, not on his natural strength or ability, but on the power of God revealed each time Moses raised his arms. Not wanting Joshua ever to forget that the Amalekites were his eternal enemies and that He alone had the power to overcome them, the Lord said to Moses, Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered (Ex. 17:14). This is perhaps the first Biblical illustration of what we call journaling. When you have spiritual achievements (understanding the death of a loved one, coming to terms with your frailties, learning about obedience), write them down as a reminder of the providence of God.

From A Place of Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, copyright (c) 2000. Used by permission of Moody Press, Chicago, Ill., 1-800-678-6928.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss is director of publications and women's ministries for Life Action Ministries in Niles, Mich., and editor of Spirit of Revival magazine. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Nancy produced the national TV program, America: You're Too Young to Die.

Kingdom Love

by Margaret D. Mitchell

“Love never fails.” ~ I Corinthians 13:8

In order for something to never fail, it must be strong. It mustn’t wear out. Ever. It must endure through every test, every trial, every season of time, every hill, every valley, every personality. Only God is this kind of love.

Kingdom love begins with an outpouring from God to us, then through us to others. In this way, the process of love is cyclical and is the foundation and motivation upon which and through which every Godly thing is built.

I am amazed at what God can do with a clean slate—a desperate and surrendered heart. Have you ever noticed that when God gives us a directive, the first thing that comes is fear?

This is because the directive or mandate He is giving us is bigger than we, our knowledge bank, our previous experience, our vision and the current capacity of our hearts. It’s bigger than anything we know at that moment. Indeed, we serve a very big God who has very big plans. And the enemy tries to use fear to thwart those plans on earth so that he can reign.

When we turn to God with a willing heart, He showers His love upon us and restores us. It is from His infilling of revelation, instruction and joyful power that we accomplish new things for God. When fear comes to arrest us, we must choose which master we will serve.

God has rescued me many times from irrational fears and has taken me to heights that I could not imagine on my own by simply giving me a willing heart and a resounding “Yes” in my spirit.

When He first called me to begin to minister to people in my workplace, I felt terrified. Sharing the love of God was the most frightening thing He could’ve asked me to do at that time because I had such a bad case of fear of man.

But God was about to break that bondage in my life and restore me to love. He opened my eyes to see that the reverential fear of God He placed within me was greater than the fear of man within me. This overwhelming reverential fear rose up and catapulted me into the new move God had for me.

As I journeyed through this new calling and saw this new level of God’s amazing love consistently, I also saw that fear of man become extinct within me. In time, I came to understand the process of Kingdom love.

How about you? Have you noticed that just when you feel accomplished in any particular area, like in your career or certain relationships, God soon raises the bar? When God calls us out of our comfort zones, the familiar areas that reside within us—whether good or bad—it’s not for the purpose of harming us. It’s to prosper us and others and Him.

When we step up to God’s divine callings, laying down all encumbrances, including self, and thereby receive more of Him, He gives us increased opportunities to sow and receive more love. The more we get from Him, the more we can give to others. And the more we give, the more we get. God’s abundant love never runs out.

In this way, Kingdom love is not selfish. It is a generous and perpetual process of sowing and reaping, of nourishing and replenishing for the purpose of building God’s Kingdom on earth.

Kingdom love pivots our hearts, fills our lives and elevates our spiritual walk. May we choose a resounding yes to trusting God in this journey so that His love will captivate us and enable us to build His Kingdom on earth.

~o~o~o~

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Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God’s Love at Work for Women, a Christian ministry purposed to cultivate the hearts of women in the marketplace through sharing God’s powerful love.

Then and Now

"Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy Word."
Psalm 119:67

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."
Psalm 119:71

"The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver."
Psalm 119:72

"Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction."
Psalm 119:92

"I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me."
Psalm 119:93

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. --Author Unknown

True Freedom

If you're like me, helplessness and dependence on others could be extremely difficult. I don't always enjoy being on the receiving end of things; I'd rather be the one "giving" than the one "receiving". While this can easily be interpreted as selflessness, it can also take on a completely different form, that is, a disguised form of pride. By not giving others the opportunity to help and serve you, you are preventing them from receiving God's blessing.

God used the following article to speak to me today; it's definitely something worth sharing:

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YIELDING CONTROL

During a visit with a friend suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, I asked what lessons God was teaching her as she traveled down this difficult road. Her immediate response was, "Loss of control."

She had always been a highly organized, independent person whose corporate job involved long hours and frequent travel. Now she had to depend on others for everything from getting dressed to brushing her teeth. Unable to move her arms or legs, she had control over only what she thought and what she said. She knew that soon she would even lose her power of speech. "I used to stress over my job," she said, "and never really gave it to the Lord. Now, with almost all control gone, I can stress about [my physical limitation] or surrender it to Christ."

The question facing each of us is, "Will I retain control of my life or yield it to the Lord today?" To live only for what I want is to be controlled by the sinful nature. Paul said that this leads to death, "but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

To one degree or another, we will all lose control of our lives as we grow older. Yielding control to God is a choice we can make every day—starting today.

Although I may not understand
The path You've laid for me,
Complete surrender to Your will—
Lord, this my prayer shall be.
© 1978 William F. Sherbert

True freedom comes not from choosing our way, but from yielding to God's way.

Author — David C. McCasland, Our Daily Bread

Moving Again

I can see God directing my steps once again! It looks like we will be moving again; but this time, it's pretty much down the street!

About 2 weeks ago, I suddenly felt that I was being moved out of my comfort zone, yet again. I ended up being emotional about the matter, but through the the aid of friends and God's Word, God reminded me to simply trust in Him. Proverbs 3:5, 6 says:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

It also wasn't very long ago, when I started noticing that I've put a lot of things on hold, simply because I was unclear how to proceed. After sensing God's direction last night, and after reading His Word this morning, He clearly spoke me to me in Proverbs 27:23-27. Specifically, verse 23 states:

"Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds."

For one thing, I know I have been putting off doing my 2007 taxes. God has reminded me to make that a priority this week, especially since it was due April 15th, and I had to file an extension! Doing this will help me obtain even a better picture of "the state of my flocks", and I know that God will give me the wisdom on how to proceed with the stewardship of what He has blessed me with.

After the realization of such, God brought yet another message to my attention. Hebrews 2:1 states: "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip."

I know I must act on this, immediately! In addition, I know that God wanted me to speak to me this morning concerning this matter. He used the office pager to wake me up! Instead of complaining, I decided to pick up my Bible and start listening to what God had to say. I'm so glad I did that!

Daydreaming: What Is Your Heart's Desire?

Somehow, I think the Arabian Nights dinner show is much better than Hawaii's Paradise Cove Luau! My kids think so, too! But, both dinner shows have equally allowed me to appreciate God's creation: breathtaking paradise and beautiful horses. Combine those two together, and it sounds like I'm already dreaming my way to a nice retirement on the Big Island of Hawaii: Waimea Ranch!!!

It's okay to dream! It's free...besides, the sky's the limit! Contrary to what Disney says, dreams don't always come true, because they change from time to time! Most times, we can't even remember what they were! So, this brings me back to reality--to something that's more important--something that's eternal vs. temporal. As Colossians 3:2 states: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

In this world, we work so hard to make ends meet, get ahead, or find happiness. Whatever your purpose is, if it is not Christ-centered, then "all is vanity", as spoken by the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon. Also, Matthew 6:19-21 states:

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

If you could name one thing that your heart longs for, what would it be?

Humanly speaking, I could have easily answered as a 6-year-old child: horses!!! My little dreams were shattered upon learning that my great grandfather was murdered in one of his stables, by a thief. See, all is vanity! Today's society has been promoting materialism stronger than ever, in an attempt to satisfy an insatiable human need. When John D. Rockefeller was asked: "What is enough?" He replied, "Just a little bit more." Clearly, "this is not only vanity, but vexation of spirit", as King Solomon puts it. Even Proverbs 27:20 says, "Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied."

So, what should our answer be? Let's see what the Bible says:

"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4

This was an answer from King David. Imagine this king--who in our eyes could have easily owned anything and everything he could have ever possibly imagined--instead of asking for more fame, power, or wealth, he chose to come to the Lord to humbly (and wisely) ask for just this "one thing". What a great example!!! Even so, God called him a man after His own heart, regardless of his past failures! King David always sought the Lord, first! Matthew 6:33 says: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

When we finally learn to seek God first, our desires will be in line with what He wants. And when that happens, you will see that He will always give you the desires of your heart!!!

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
Psalm 37:4

God is a very gracious God; He is always pouring blessings along the way! The question is, "Are you ready to receive them?" Open your heart to Him, and come see for yourself!!!

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11

Perfect Love

The last few days have been quite intriguing. Out of the blue, my son asks, "Mom, do you have to be a grown-up to start liking someone?" I certainly was not prepared to be confronted with such a question, especially if it was coming from a 6-year old! The very next day, he asks, "What's it like to be on a date?" I was totally dumbfounded! He eventually divulged that his older friend apparently liked a girl in school.

While this may sound cute and funny, it is no joking matter. It's more like a wake-up call! Because "love" is a topic that I had always chosen to avoid, ignore, and dismiss myself (before marriage and after divorce), I had forgotten that it is one of the most important things that I should pray about, especially for my children. It is important to note that praying for the right spouse is not sufficient; as in the case of my children, I must fervently pray that they also grow up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord", to become that right spouse as God had intended. And, it is my heart's desire and responsibility to raise them accordingly. What I had just experienced with my son is called a "teachable moment". I must diligently teach them to put God first and love Him above all (Deuteronomy 6:5-7).

Then comes God's "love triangle", a lesson that I had heard (and failed to heed) numerous times as a teenager. Let's establish the 3 different points of the triangle, where (a) is for God as He is at the top, while the man is at the bottom left (b) and woman at the bottom right (c). Using this model helps facilitate the process of elimination. Here are a few scenarios:

• If the man decides to deepen his relationship with God (b moves towards a) but the woman decides to primarily focus her attention on the man (c moves towards b), their paths will not meet.
• If both the man and woman decide to solely focus on each other without building a relationship with God (b moves right towards c, c moves left towards b), their paths will eventually meet. However, the risk of not connecting with God (a) eliminates the bond that holds the relationship together. Chances are, b will keep moving right while c will keep moving left. As the man and woman go their own way and leave God out, they grow farther and farther apart. Hence, the relationship does not last.
• Meanwhile, if both the man and woman decide to seek God first, they will both head towards an upward direction, eventually meeting at point (a) where God is! Upon marriage, this clearly demonstrates: "What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." Matthew 19:6
  

So there I was, thinking that the teachable moment was solely for my children. Then, I opened up my Evening Devotional, and of all topics, it was again about the 4-letter word that I have developed a severe allergic reaction to (a similar reaction when exposed to the color "pink").

PERFECT LOVE
by Max Lucado

Have you ever gone to the grocery store on an empty stomach? You buy everything you don't need. Doesn't matter if it is not good for you--you just want to fill your tummy. When you're lonely, you do the same in life, pulling stuff off the shelf, not because you need it, but because you are hungry for love...you find yourself searching for love in all the wrong places. But all this changes when we discover God's perfect love. And "perfect love casts out fear." (1 John 4:18)

It has been over 3 years since God had removed me from an abusive relationship. Many others have approached me about the thought of remarrying, and my instant reflex action would be to raise my eyebrow and shake my head incessantly! I have surrendered this to the Lord, too, because I only want what He wants, and I completely trust that He knows what's best for me...no matter how unimaginable it may seem.

Whereas my struggles have never been with loneliness (hopefully not ever), it has been with wanting to be left alone (from time to time, this desire still consumes me). While growing up, I had taught myself to take control of my own destiny and not rely on others, especially since they will only hurt or disappoint me in the process, not to mention, attempt to take advantage of me. After my dad passed away, I thought I had found people to look up to; they, too, have severely broken my trust enough to traumatize a young teenager! Such circumstances led me to set aside my emotions and become fiercely independent. Sadly, our society has programmed our minds to strongly value a sense of independence, autonomy, and self-sufficiency, versus a strong dependence on God followed by full surrender and obedience. By not surrendering my will (and emotions) to God earlier on in my life, I ended up making very poor decisions that have already affected and will continue to affect my life (including my children and others), forever.

The Challenge:

• If you are a parent, continue to seek out "teachable moments" with your children, especially in the areas of serving God, serving others, and becoming a Godly spouse. Allow God to work in you and through you so that you can be a good example to them.
  
• If you are in a relationship, or long to be in one, apply the principles found in God's "love triangle".
  
• If you are lonely, accept Christ as your Savior, if you haven't done so already. If you have already accepted Christ in your heart, remember to seek Him first (Matthew 6:33), cast your burdens upon Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7), delight yourself in Him (Psalm 37:4), and know that He will meet all of your needs (Philippians 4:19). Christ is all you need!!!
  
• If people have disappointed you (including your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, etc.), remember that true joy can only be found in the Lord and that your dependence should be on Him, not on yourself or others (Psalm 118:8). And, forgive them, as Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).
  
• If you are frustrated about your surroundings and feel a need to simply run away, remember that your problems will follow you, wherever you go. You can only hide under the shadow of God's wing (Psalm 17:8), because only He is your Refuge and Strength; indeed, He is a very present Help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
  

As a Christian, I have already discovered God's perfect love! Now, I want to continue to experience it, every moment of my life!!!

Who I am now is only because of God's amazing grace.

A Point to Ponder

"He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Author Unknown

About Leadership

Each time I need to study for a test, I tend to "procrastinate" by searching for other avenues to inspire and motivate myself. I was able to find my Leadershipworks Binder from 2003, and found some interesting stuff...

How to make "musts" happen? Throw your "hat over the fence..."

• Verbalize
• Pre-pay
• Make appointment

About Leadership:

1. Know Thyself.

"To lead without first having a clear understanding of oneself is foolhardy and sure to bring disaster and defeat."

2. Increase Sensitivity Towards Others

Leader As Linebacker: Read and respond appropriately.

3. Know the Magic Potion

BUILD

• Rapport
• Dialogue
• Synchronicity

GAIN

• Endorsement
• Respect
• Support

Speak to people in the appropriate voice.

About Versatility:

Versatility

• Know thyself
• Read others
• Do "arithmetic" on your behavior to get in sync
  - Add behaviors
  - Subtract behaviors
• Check for tension

Versatility verse

• "Do unto others as they would want done unto themselves."
• Treat people the way they like to be treated.

When to be versatile

• Not always...be yourself
• When something important is at stake
• When the other person is stressed
• To get off on the "right foot"

About Change:

EMBRACE CHANGE!!!
There are 2 kinds of companies--those that are changing and those that are going out of business!

Key 1. Strategic Anticipation
"It wasn't raining when Noah built the Arc." Richard Cushing
"I skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been..." W. Gretzky
"Ride the horse in the direction it is going. If the horse is dead, get off the horse." Werner Erhard

Key 2. Take a BRUTALLY HONEST look in the mirror
Strengths vs. weaknesses

Key 3. Bifurcation
Refinement
Incrementally improving

About Clarity:

Clarity Check:

• People will listen more attentively, if you do clarity checks consistently.
• Keep clarity checks open ended.
• When 2 people are arguing, follow this rule:
  The receiver cannot make his/her counter point, until he/she has restated the sender's message to the sender's satisfaction.

Source: Leadershipworks, 2003

My Lawn

My lawn taught me a very valuable lesson today:

The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence.
The grass is greener where you water it.

Anything But Pink!

What is your favorite color? I'd always roll my eyes each time I'd hear this question; it's simply too girly. As a kid, I would reply:

Let me tell you what color I DON'T like: pink!

This year, I added 2 more colors to that list: red and blue. These 2 colors never seemed to have any effect on me, until very recently, when I looked up at my rear view mirror while driving on Central Parkway, and saw some nice, bright, red and blue lights flashing right at me, accompanied by a very annoying sound that can only be produced by a police car!

Once again, the month of April marks yet another significant moment in my life: I got my very first traffic (speeding) ticket on April 7th! For some peace of mind, I decided to attend traffic school this past Thursday, for 4 straight hours!

That same afternoon, I received a call at work from our Corporate Office. I quickly picked up on da kine...pidgin' accent from Hawaii! I also found out that we both attended the same Christian school in Guam (Harvest Christian Academy), and had the same teachers from Kindergarten through 2nd Grade!!! It's a small world, after all!

Then, I remembered the school anthem...let's see if I still know it by heart:

Red is the color of our dear Savior's blood
and White symbolizes purity
Blue is the royal color
That speaks of the land
that He has prepared for you and me

These are the colors of the school I attend
Harvest Christian Academy
And, I hold my banner high
Lift it up into the sky
For I'm thankful to be in a Christian School!

I believe in the Bible for it is the Word of God
And I know that His promises are true
I will study to show myself approved unto God
For I know that's what He has for me to do

Now, I pledge my allegiance to the country that I love
And the school that I'm willing to attend
And, I hold my banner high
Lift it up into the sky
For I'm thankful to be in a Christian School!

Yes, I hold my banner high
Lift it up into the sky...
For Im thankful to be in a Christian School!

After remembering this song and knowing what the colors red, white, and blue symbolized, I quickly changed my perception of those colors. Plus, it made me become more thankful to my parents for sending me only to Christian Schools, while growing up. In addition, I am very grateful that God has enabled me to also enroll my son in a Christian School (Diego graduates Kindergarten on May 29th)! I certainly do not have anything against Christian parents who have chosen public school for their children; it is just sad that the public school system has decided to leave God out.

On a personal level, however, we still have a tendency to leave God out, regardless of our environment. We leave God out simply by not seeking Him! How much do you seek after God?

As noted earlier, this week has been very troubling for me. Once again, my spirit is broken, I'm needy, I'm exhausted, and I'm so desperately in need of the Lord! As I sought Him this morning, He gave me His Word: Psalm 42. Dear Lord, "my hope is in Thee"!!!

10 Pounds Later!

God gave me a "day off" today!!! I'm so grateful! My 2 college friends (below) surprised me with a brief visit to Orlando with free tickets to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure and free fast passes!!! I have not seen them in 8 full years, and this is a current picture of the 3 of us, ten pounds and 2 kids later!!!

I also met Sheila and Rhoda ("Thing 1" and "Thing 2", below) in the process. They live locally, and offered to take care of all 4 kids so that my friends and I could catch up on a lot of stuff... including tricking them into riding all of the rollercoasters (yeah)!!! Oh, and getting us all soaked in those other crazy rides (nevermind the messy hair)! Loved it (now, they don't trust me)!


I'm glad I showed up; it was totally worth it. It's nice to finally get to hang out with friends within the same age group...and not to have to worry about my parents or kids, for a change!

Another Powerful Message

Wow, one more! I believe God is truly telling me to stay in Florida! The one and only friend in Hawaii whom I confided in, Lisa, wrote me the message below. She's an awesome friend and mentor, and she is like a mother to me. Thanks, Lisa!

Think about this situation Jasmine. Just be sure not to act upon your emotions. Actually, your mom may be doing you a favor. Perhaps there's lots of opportunity in Florida with a lighter load. Try it out first. Too much moving may not be good for the kids, whacha think?

At this moment, be still.

New Friends

Which do you prefer?
a) Many friends with brief contact
b) Few friends with lengthy contact

My answer would be A, naturally. I typically ignore my email, snailmail, text messages, IMs, and phone calls (if it's urgent, call my mom or my brother). I don't believe I'm anti-social, uncaring, or indifferent. I'm simply too lazy or too busy. I'm just grateful that my true friends don't get offended; they simply understand...thank you!

This week has been quite different, though. God knew this was a week when I would need a friend--actually, 2 friends--to help clear my mind and put things in perspective.

Many changes and surprises took place in the last 90 days:

1. I re-enrolled in Bible College
2. I almost passed out and got rushed to the ER
3. I reconciled and broke up with my ex
4. I joined another ministry, Puggles (2-year-old's), during Bible Study on Wednesdays
5. I teamed up with Allgen Financial Services while still working for AppleOne
6. I got my first speeding ticket
7. My mom's health worsened (high blood pressure)
8. My aunt and uncle arrived from Seattle to stay with us for an extended period of time
9. My stepdad collapsed, stopped breathing, and was rushed to the ER (by God's grace, he is okay now)
10. My mom announced that she and my stepdad will be leaving

During a very short period of time, I have not only decided to add even more stuff to my plate... A lot of other things came landing on top of everything else, involuntarily! I believe I have finally reached my breaking point this week! I have been coming home late every night, keeping up with all the added responsibilities and catching up with other commitments that had been put off as a result of my stepdad's recent emergency.

The more tired I feel, the harder it is to ignore and pardon certain things that just simply get on my nerves. I felt like I was being pulled in so many different directions all at the same time, and I could barely find time for myself...yet, I decided to set my emotions aside. I was awarded a free day off after giving the most creative answer during a meeting, and I was hoping I could use that day to relax somewhere with my 2 boys. I was appalled when another "special" request came in that threatened the remote possibility of finally having some peace and tranquility on a day that hasn't even happened yet! And, the thought of my parents leaving after honoring their request for me to move all the way to Florida only made things worse. As usual, these things like to happen while I'm driving (I refuse to get another ticket)!

Well, God knew exactly what I needed this week: 2 friends. Since moving to Florida, I never felt the need to confide or simply vent my feelings in front of anybody. In the last 90 days, however, God allowed me to meet 2 new friends, Alissa and James, who seem to have a very special ability to get me to "talk"...and each time I do talk with them, I get "talker's remorse" for hearing myself talk too much! The weird thing is, one talks a whole lot more than the other, but they both seem to have the same effect on me, anyway. Truthfully, I'd rather be the listener, and I don't particularly like to be the one to call just because I need something.

God knew exactly when I needed to talk with someone, even when I did not want to pick up the phone. Thanks, Alissa, for listening to God when He wanted you to call me out of the blue, and for letting me get all of my frustrations out! I'm glad that I was able to make your day simply by revealing the "human" side of me (great). What were you implying? Oh, and thanks for reminding me that God will bring about good things, and that I need to keep trusting Him to see me through this stage of my life.

James, thank you for letting me vent when I was frustrated about work. Thank you for asking the right questions that helped me identify the underlying problem. God then provided an immediate answer to this prayer! So, thanks always for your prayers.

Isn't God great? He's the greatest Friend anyone could ever have! There's really nothing to complain about, and so much to be thankful for. I never asked God for friends...but, He chose to bring them my way, anyway, because He knows best.

Thank you, Lord, for yet another humbling experience!

God is truly moulding my character. I wonder what He is preparing me for, next?

"A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

"Hurry Up, God!"

Yesterday, I got goosebumps (in Hawaii, it's called "chicken skin") after browsing a job application form with the birth year, 1990. At first, I thought it was a typo; then, I realized that this person had just turned 18, and is therefore now old enough to legally work!

I can't say I wish I was 18 all over again. That was the year I made very poor decisions!!!

Exactly 2 months ago, I turned 27 (don't laugh, I am not ashamed)! So, I'm a late bloomer (ouch)...and, my wisdom teeth are just finally surfacing (bigger ouch)! All of a sudden, I realized I had foolishly stopped setting goals for myself as soon as I hit 25! I had reached my "comfort zone", which is quite dangerous, as that is usually when growth stops. Note the following short-sighted, worldly goals:

1. Secure a stable career
2. Purchase a home
3. Get my MBA

I had met all of these goals ahead of schedule as well as exceeded them. "Exceeded expectations" happens to also include the following (without limitation):

1. Got married
2. Got 2 kids
3. Got divorced

From a worldly perspective, I can't say if I was either on the fast track to success or failure.

I now have only less than 3 years left before I hit the big 30!!! What are my goals? Quite frankly, I need to get on my knees and ask God for direction. This time, I want my goals to be Christ-centered. One of the goals, by default, is to finish Bible College. Only 3 more semesters to go!!! I still don't know why God moved me to pursue this, but I know that it continues to spark a revival in my heart every week! I'd explain to my kids, "I need it so I can be a better mommy."

I don't know about you, but I can't set any goals without first identifying what direction I would like to take. Ultimately, the direction is Heaven-bound, but right now, I'm still here, so...What is my purpose on this Earth? To narrow it down even further:

What is my purpose here in Florida???

I still don't know, and it's been over a year since we had moved from Hawaii. I cannot see what lies up ahead, but at least, I can completely trust that God knows best and that He has a perfect plan for me...He promised!!! It will all make sense in His perfect time, whether it were to occur here on Earth or in eternity. Here's the challenge: to be able to wait on God with hope.

I have to stop bullying God; I have to quit telling Him to "Hurry up!"

Good Bible illustration: Abraham and Sarah waited many years for their promised heir. Their story exemplifies the blessings of waiting and the consequences of running ahead of God. Sarah thought of "helping" God along; as a result, we can still feel the repercussions to this day (Genesis 16:1-6). So, do I really want God to hurry up???

Here's an article worth sharing...

From Becoming a Woman of Purpose, by Cynthia Heald:

Many years ago our family made a major move. Jack, my husband, sold his veterinary practice and we relocated to another city to receive training with The Navigators. For years, I had been leading Bible studies and now that we had moved to learn to do the ministry full time, I thought that I would probably be leading several studies! As time progressed, I began to realize that God was impressing on me to do nothing concerning ministry. I couldn't understand! Here we had left all that we had known for ten years and now that we were in a position to minister, I was to wait. No, Lord, You don't understand--now I'm supposed to teach and meet with women!

Yet very clearly and firmly God began to teach me what it means to wait on Him. As Murray says, God wanted me to "maintain the place of humility and stillness, and surrender." What other way could God encourage me to totally depend on His guidance, His way, His timing? How else could I really learn that my hope was in Him, and not in my abilities?

When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The Israelites did not move until the cloud moved, they waited for God to guide.

This waiting is so essential to comprehending God's purpose for us. It is in waiting that we are able to sense God's prompting to do something or to just keep waiting. I like what Oswald Chambers says:

"The reality of God's presence is not dependent on any place, but only dependent upon the determination to set the Lord always before us...If our common sense decisions are not His order, He will press through them and check; then we must be quiet and wait for the direction of His presence."

It is only in being still before Him that we can sense His presence and direction; it is only in placing our hope in Him that we can wait expectantly.

When I Grow Up...

I found another old picture taken during my students' Christmas Musical Presentation (2007)--half of them were on stage while the other half were patiently waiting their turn, as seen above. (My son, Diego, is the second one from the left.)

In Junior Church yesterday morning, I asked my K4-K5 students a very familiar question. Some answers were:

When I grow up, I want to be a:

Doctor or Nurse

Firegirl with a Maltese Firedog (interesting!)

Missionary

Policeman

Ambulance Driver

Teacher

Football Player

Soldier

I feel so privileged to be impacting the lives our next-generation leaders! God has promised that "His Word shall not return void", and I am counting on that! I only have very little time with these children--just an hour every week--and I hope I can make every second count, by God's grace.

An AWANA Youth Director presented some very troubling statistics not too long ago. While many children grow up in church, a big chunk of them actually don't return shortly after graduating high school. A small percentage of them stay (status quo), and very few heed God's calling to serve. 20 years from now, what will become of my students? A few months from now, many of these kids, including my son, will be leaving my class as they get promoted to the next level.

Kids grow up so fast, and we could never buy back time! We really need to rely on God for wisdom as we strive to raise positive kids in such a negative world. One thing I definitely need to add to my To-Do List: read Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World by Zig Ziglar. I could still remember, as a stubborn 10-year-old child, our Pastor recommending the parents to read this book. Wow, time sure flies!!!

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. " Proverbs 22:6

Grandpa's "House"

It's my Grandpa's birthday today. I miss visiting my grandparents as a little child, although my grandpa would always trade in his not-so-delectable chocolates for the ones I had. I never really liked chocolates that much, anyway, so I learned to just buy him some of his favorite goodies before stopping by. Besides, I got to keep the change every single time :)

Last night after church, I took my kids to their Grandpa's "House" ... well, at least that's what my 2-year-old, Gabriel, calls it. He's still in the Progressive Care Unit @ Florida Hospital - Altamonte.

Exactly a week ago, my stepdad fainted and was rushed to the ER shortly after he stopped breathing. It's hard to believe that the doctors still are unable to explain what just happened! Once again, God revealed Himself to us through miracles (praise God, and thanks to all of you who prayed).

I did not plan on coming home for lunch that day, but after paying $200 for my first speeding ticket, I decided to "detox and chill" at home for a while. I greeted my stepdad as he happily played with Gabriel in the living room. Just before heading out, my mom calmly asked me to call 911...and she pretty much stopped talking from there (she has been having problems with her blood pressure lately).

None of us thought he was going to make it. 24 hours later, he regained consciousness, jokingly saluted me, and asked that I tell my 2 boys that he loved them very much. Today, they are thinking about sending him to Rehab for Physical Therapy for 21 days.

I feel so humbled each time I come to God with a request! Time and again, He has showered us with a wonderful church and family support group, including great friends (near and far) who faithfully prayed for us during this great time of need. I could not have made it through without God's provision. He truly knows my every need; I am completely nothing without Him!

Happy Mother's Day!

I've been greeted "Happy Mother's Day" for the last 6 years now. You would think I'd be used to this greeting by now. While I sincerely appreciate the gesture, there is just something about it that makes me feel, well,...old. I'll always be a kid at heart!


Here is an outline of a powerful message that mothers/parents must take to heart. It's something that I know I'll need to revisit more often than I think I should.

It contains the 7 P's of Parenting:

A Mother’s Greatest Gift
by Charles F. Stanley
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

A. Introduction: Mothers are givers by nature, so throughout life, there are all kinds of things they offer their sons and daughters. But the most important thing a godly mom can give her children is the motivation to believe in God and know Him intimately (Deut. 6:1-3, 5-7).

B. To pass your faith on to children and grandchildren, give them:

1. Principles: If you want your children to survive the secular society in which we live, teach them biblical principles. Most important is, “Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him.” Teach children the truth, and they will recognize lies.

2. Pattern: Children must see you consistently live out your faith, or they will think you are a hypocrite. Children often follow in their parents’ footsteps (e.g., Eve and Cain, Rebekah and Jacob, and Jochebed and Moses).

3. Persistence: Even if kids don’t “get it” the first time, keep teaching, disciplining, and exemplifying faithful living. When your family faces hard times, use adversity as an opportunity to demonstrate faith by praying together. It’s through difficulties that kids learn how to live out Christianity.

4. Participation: Get involved in your kids’ daily lives by doing the things you want them to do. (e.g., Dr. Stanley’s friends’ parents didn’t go to church with their children, which sent a message that it wasn’t important.)

5. Praise: Encouragement is more effective than condemnation. (e.g., Dr. Stanley’s mother never shamed him for bad grades if he had done his best.)

6. Prayer: Children need to hear you pray for them, call their names before God, and make specific requests for them. Nothing you do for your children is more powerful than prayer. Also, be sure to pray with them.

7. Planning: If you want to pass your faith on to the next generation, you must set aside time to read the Bible as a family and talk about spiritual truths.

C. Closing: Parents, it’s your responsibility to raise godly children. Thankfully, you are not alone. The Father sends the Holy Spirit to enable, strengthen, and encourage you.

Ask Yourself

The following questions were shared with me this morning:

1) Are you satisfied with your prayer life?

2) Do you always pray with confidence, expecting God to answer?

3) When someone asks you to pray for him or her, do you actually do it?

4) If you were asked to name four or five specific requests you asked of God this week, could you do that?

5) Is your time in the Word of God balanced with meaningful prayer?

I don't know about you, but I find myself guilty of answering "No to All", a big majority of the time. It's an area that definitely needs improvement in my life.

I have found the use of prayer journals to be extremely helpful. This year, my church in Hawaii started sending me Bible Reading and Prayer Journals every quarter. If you would like to receive one yourself, please let me know.

Hawai'i Dreaming!

I'd like to log a prayer request: the family is planning a trip to Hawaii and Canada in August 2008. Of course, I'd love to join them!!!

The picture above was taken days before leaving Honolulu, during a mini dinner cruise with my church family.

Reconnecting

To my very close friends, I'm an open book. Everyone else thinks my life is a mystery--more like, they think it's a mystery how I've always managed to stay away from the radar! While I have always sincerely loved and cared for my closest friends and family, they all know (and hopefully understand by now) that I tend to disconnect and vanish every once in a while. The cool thing is, each time we reconnect, we pick right back up where we left off.

My first major vanishing act was when I got married in 2001. I had moved to a completely different place and pretty much knew no one except for my cousin who happened to be the matchmaker whom I ended up alienating (by God's grace, our relationship had been restored). I told no one in my past that I had gotten married; I just never felt a need to tell anyone because I did not want to "hear it" from them! Deep down inside, I knew something bad was going to happen. I convinced myself that if ever I were to fail, it would not matter because nobody knew. An obvious by-product of my sinful, prideful, and spontaneous nature.

A year later, I finally agreed to tell a few key people that I had gotten married. After all, I was getting ready to give birth to our first son, Diego. By then, the marriage had already fallen apart, but I decided to keep that to myself. It took me a while to seek help from my mom and Pastor. From there, I began to re-establish my walk with the Lord even in the midst of daily adversity at home, in the years to come. While it truly was not easy, I found complete shelter under God's wing and managed to face the last few battles with joy in my heart. Four years later, God removed me from such harsh conditions and allowed me to experience His love, mercy, and grace along the way.

This was 3 years ago. I've detached myself once again since that time. Many of my close friends and family have not yet been informed of my divorce. While I don't intend to conceal the matter, I just never thought there was sufficient reason to share my life story, unless asked. Even then, I'd find myself ignoring and deleting such email "inquiries" whenever I'm not in the mood. My poor mother and brother would always have to put up with redirected phone calls and emails about me. Thank you, mom and Jacob, for (almost) never complaining.

Last month, a friend encouraged me to start blogging. Great, now I'm sharing my life story with the world wide web!!! As a result, I've learned to start opening up a bit to others. Baby steps!!! This is certainly a new facet of my life that I've just begun to explore. Indeed, it makes me feel weird at times, but for the most part, it has been "healthy".

As I now begin learning how to divulge information to my closest friends and family beyond "what's up", guess what I get?! I get laughed at, I mean LAUGHED AT, with all caps: "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA" (especially from my brothers)! No wonder why I had never told them anything "deep" when I was growing up! I hated it each time they made fun of me, because that was actually MY job :)

Needless to say, I found myself laughing out loud with them today. It's not so bad after all! Besides, I know they're just laughing because they're simply adjusting to a different side of me which I had never revealed to them before. What can I say, it's just part of relationship building! They're just happy to be a part of my life again, and that they can finally be a "big brother". So, laugh it up, guys! Hopefully this time, I'll stay in touch.

To-Do List

I found an old picture taken shortly after Diego's 4th birthday on 5/29/2006. While looking at this picture, I'm already missing the beach, the breeze, and the tradewinds of Hawaii. This picture was taken at Ala Moana Beach.

More so, I can't believe how quickly time has flown by. It was just like yesterday!!! We really ought to start thinking about how we spend our time each day.

"So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom. "
Psalm 90:12

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:16

Then I remembered that 2006 was the year when I turned a quarter of a century old. It was a big deal: I could finally rent a car on my own without having to pay the underage premium, and my car insurance premiums dropped dramatically! See, there is a reward for getting old!

That was also the year when my mom shared a very important article with me on my 25th birthday, The Dash. It's an article that in essence, reminded me that my significance on earth is not merely represented by my year of birth and year of death. What's truly important is what I did with my life from the time I was born until the time God calls me home.

What am I filling my life with? I then remember Glenn Furuya's challenge once again during a 6-week Leadershipworks Seminar at the Pearl Ridge Country Club in Hawaii (the food was excellent, by the way). He talked about big rocks and tiny pebbles. He challenged us that there is a way to fit them all into a reasonably-sized jar. The big rocks and pebbles represented people and things, while the jar represented our life.

We can only fit so much into our "jar". Too often, we fill our lives with the seemingly urgent things, first. We fail to realize that urgent things are not always the most important, but we tend to give them top priority, anyway, hence filling our "jar" with the tiny pebbles, first. As we go along, we try to squeeze in time for the other "bigger" things in life, i.e. people, who are truly important to us. We therefore fill our jar with the big rocks second, third, or sadly, even last. As a result, the jar ended up being filled with many tiny pebbles which left no room for the remaining big rocks. This is when you realize that you've left out the most important things and people in your life, due to focusing on the wrong priorities. By this time, it may be too late.

Meanwhile, Glenn took another empty jar. He filled it with all of the big rocks first, then poured in the tiny pebbles afterwards. Amazingly, he was able to fit them all into that one jar, with ease! A big lesson can be learned here.

Such a lesson has struck me more today than it did back then, because I am now responsible for my 2 children. It is very easy to get distracted and mind all the other "urgent" things on my To-Do List.

What's on YOUR To-Do List? Re-evaluate it. Is God on there? What about your family?

Remember, when we die one day, we will only be remembered by "the dash". We are but stewards of this one life that God has entrusted with us. Remember to live it faithfully for Him, and to place our priorities on what truly matters most. Have you been a good and faithful steward?

"The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot." Proverbs 10:7

2 Answered Prayers

I received great news from friends concerning their prayer requests that I had blogged about earlier (click here to read blog).

It was great to see how my friend's face lit up this morning when I asked her about the results of her ultrasound: the baby is fine, by God's grace. What a relief!

As with the other prayer request, my friend said that his mom's knee replacement surgery went very well. That, too, is a blessing to hear!

I got another email today from one of my relatives. A malformation has been found in his wife's lower cerebellum. Aside from this condition being a real threat to her health and life, a rupture is possible if she is subjected to any stress, including child bearing. They do not have any children yet, and I know that it has always been their heart's desire to have one. My heart was crushed upon hearing the news.

I don't know what to say right now. I'm just glad that through God's Spirit, He knows what I need to pray for, and He knows exactly what they need, and He has promised to supply our every need way before we knew it. We may not understand what's going on, and why such things are happening. But, I know I can rest in Him and His promises...that His plan is perfect. Always.

Which Dwarf Are You?

This is how I felt earlier today.
I certainly hope it's not how I look!!!

I never really liked Snow White...but I liked the 7 dwarfs, except for the one in the picture.

I must be getting old. I keep waking up the exact same hour every single day, including Saturday! Gone are the days when I could sleep in until noon (well, with 2 kids, a miniature schnauzer, and cockatiel, I don't think so).

While tossing and turning, our dog "knocks" at my door begging that I let him out to relieve himself. This gave me a brilliant idea: it's time for the dog to go bye-bye! But then, I thought to myself, this dog can sometimes be easier to train than my 2 boys, and he never answers back, so I guess I'll keep him :)

At this point, I could no longer go back to sleep. All I wanted was to have a worry-free day (no plans, no trips, no nothing)! The "no-nothing-plan" led to lots of last-minute errand requests and the need to go to the office to end someone's contract...not to mention wait in line for an hour at the post office. Oh, and my executive decision to put off studying for finals (again) until tomorrow!

I then try to squeeze in a power nap in the afternoon. Didn't happen. I'm now feeling grouchy as ever!!! So, I decided to take the kids out for a ride and then get a car wash. A few minutes later, it started to rain. Don't you just love it when this happens???

By this time, I clearly knew that I was being put through a test. Call me crazy, but I managed to laugh it off as soon as it started pouring. It felt great! I immediately asked for forgiveness, thanked the Lord, and started to feel better about my day.

"A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
Proverbs 17:22

I thank God for giving me self-control today. I tend to hold back a lot of emotion while biting my tongue so as not to offend others and say things that I don't mean. After all, emotions easily come and go...so I might as well do the right thing by allowing the Lord to fill me with His Spirit, instead.

Then, I remembered what I had read from Scripture this morning-- Psalm 34.

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth. v1
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. v4
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. v5
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. v7
O taste and see that the LORD [is] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him. v8
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing]. v10
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. v13
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. v14
[The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. v17
The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. v18
Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. v19

The entire chapter was a blessing. Actually, all of God's Word is a blessing! I'm so glad we have been given the freedom to have Bibles in this country. It's so easy to get all grouchy about the smallest little things when in reality, there is so much to be thankful for.

I thank God for using His Word, circumstances (in my case, the rain), prayer, and others to remind me of where my focus ought to be, that is, I should "bless the Lord at all times!"

So, which dwarf are you?

The Waiting Game

Have you ever been at a point where you've been waiting on God's deliverance or answer, and it seems like it's taking forever? We have become so accustomed to instant gratification that we forget that patience is a virtue. Isaiah 40:31 says:

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint."

The "waiting game" is never fun! Who ever said we should do nothing while waiting? I'm sure you've heard this before: "An idle mind is the devil's workshop". It is best to therefore renew your mind and fill it with the following things, instead:

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 KJV

An old parenting tip: If you take something away, make sure you replace it with something better! Get rid of your worries and replace them with "better" thoughts!

Worrying while waiting never helps. Wouldn't it be easier to simply "pass the buck", lay all of your burdens at Jesus' feet, and allow Him to fully work through you, instead? Easier said than done! Losing control is never a good feeling, and Satan always wants us to foolishly think that we've got everything under control. He wants us to feel depressed whenever we feel that we have lost such control.

On the other hand, Scripture teaches the exact opposite: we ought to let God's Spirit take control. It is only after you surrender your will fully to the Lord that you can experience the joy of demonstrating the "fruits of the Spirit".

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22,23 KJV

If not, the Apostle Paul clearly warns about the "works of the flesh":

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21 KJV

So, whenever I feel discouraged, I remind myself: While waiting, rest in the Lord and "fret not". Otherwise, I'll only get myself into trouble.

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

I'm so thankful God gave us His Word!

Friends

"A friend loveth at all times." Proverbs 17:17a KJV

I received an email from 2 friends today: Gracie and Ryan. God has always used them to be an encouragement to me and others.

I met Gracie at Youth Camp when I was 13. She was there when I fell off a cliff, got 17 stitches (thanks to whomever left that broken bottle there), worried more about my hair and getting bloodstains on my new pair of Nike shoes (how vain)...and talking about the McLaren F1 while hallucinating on my way to the ER! (Gracie, if you're reading this: I failed to tell you that I went to see a plastic surgeon and I ended up paying for a scolding with no results, ha!)

Gracie now serves as a missionary to Cambodia with her 3 beautiful children (#4 on the way) and husband. It's such a blessing to see her grow in the Lord as she demonstrates unconditional love towards the locals. Sadly, many of those who attended the same Youth Camp(s) have turned their back from the Lord, and they publish it publicly on MySpace! :(

Ryan is one of my best buddies back in college, the pseudo-boyfriend who kept all the (blind) stalkers away! We were both extremely sarcastic and vain; as a result, he is the only friend who has experienced my utter wrath (location: UTMT)! I'm still tempted to this day to say that he totally deserved it!

Today, Ryan, together with his wife, actively serves and reaches out to the Youth in Northern UAE. It is so refreshing to hear of his updates on how God has worked greatly in his life. He is like a dear brother to me.

I praise the Lord for great friends like Gracie and Ryan! They are among the few in our generation who have chosen to serve the Lord.

"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the labourers [are] few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37,38 KJV

I may not be in such countries like Gracie and Ryan; however, I can choose to make any place my mission field, be it at home, at work, or Altamonte Springs. Am I making a difference in my own community?