A Great Investment

Too often, we complain about our problems to almost anyone who will listen but then we praise God only in private. Shouldn't it be the other way around??? Shouldn't we rather complain privately and praise God publicly? Shouldn't we complain less (better yet, not at all) and praise God more? Obviously, the latter is a much better investment emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The more you give praise to God, the less you'll have time to complain. It's about knowing where to best allocate your limited resources, i.e. time, energy, and emotion. Remember, God expects us to be good stewards of the resources He has entrusted in our care...and that includes TIME.

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

"And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." Psalm 35:28

When was the last time you praised God openly and profusely? Praising God has always proven to be a great investment for eternity. God's Word guarantees it!

"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." Matthew 6:19-21

Prerequisites for Answered Prayer

Though it is clear from Scripture that God always answers our prayers in some manner (as we mentioned above) there are also some guidelines for effective praying. Certain practices or attitudes can hinder your prayers and, in such cases, God will not respond to them. The passages below help us understand that we must be in a right relationship with God and with others in order for our prayers to be effectively heard by God.

1. Harboring unconfessed sin will put a barrier between you and God (Ps. 66:18).

2. God hears the prayers of those who obey His commands (1 John 3:22-23).

3. God will not hear prayers that have wrong or selfish motives (James 4:3).

4. We are instructed to pray according to His will, not according to ours (1 John 5:14-15).

5. When we pray, we are to ask in faith. Unbelief is a barrier to answered prayer (Mark 11:22-24).

6. An ongoing abiding life in Christ (having regular fellowship with Him) will allow your prayers to be heard. When fellowship is broken, so is communication with God (John 15:7).

7. Sometimes we don't have answered prayers because we do not ask. We are to pursue appropriate requests regularly and bring them to God (Luke 11:9).

8. Prayer in the Spirit (that is, under the control of the Holy Spirit) is also a prerequisite. This verse instructs us that we must also persevere in our praying. Prayers offered in the flesh will not be heard by God (Eph. 6:18).

9. If you are unable to forgive someone for something that person has done to you, then God says He will not forgive you. Restored and right relationships are essential for open communication with God (Mark 11:25).

10. We are to pray with thankful hearts. Those of us who come before God without a spirit of thankfulness will find our prayers are not heard (Phil. 4:6).

Bill Donahue, Leading Life-Changing Small Groups, (Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1996), p. 58

Most Important Words for Getting Along With People

The SIX most important words: 'I admit I made a mistake."The FIVE most important words: 'You did a good job."The FOUR most important words: 'What do you think?"The THREE most important words: 'After you, please."The TWO most important words: 'Thank you."The ONE most important word: 'We" The LEAST important word: 'I"

Source unknown

Charlie Brown

The late Earl Nightingale, writer and publisher of inspirational and motivational material, once told a story about a boy named Sparky. For Sparky, school was all but impossible. He failed every subject in the eighth grade. He flunked physics in high school, getting a grade of zero.

Sparky also flunked Latin, algebra, and English. He didn't do much better in sports. Although he did manage to make the school's golf team, he promptly lost the only important match of the season. There was a consolation match; he lost that, too.

Throughout his youth, Sparky was awkward socially. He was not actually disliked by the other students; no one cared that much. He was astonished if a classmate ever said hello to him outside of school hours.

There's no way to tell how he might have done at dating. Sparky never once asked a girl to go out in high school. He was too afraid of being turned down.

Sparky was a loser. He, his classmates...everyone knew it. So he rolled with it. Sparky had made up his mind early in life that if things were meant to work out, they would. Otherwise he would content himself with what appeared to be his inevitable mediocrity.

However, one thing was important to Sparky,drawing. He was proud of his artwork. Of course, no one else appreciated it. In his senior year of high school, he submitted some cartoons to the editors of the yearbook. The cartoons were turned down. Despite this particular rejection, Sparky was so convinced of his ability that he decided to become a professional artist.

After completing high school, he wrote a letter to Walt Disney Studios. He was told to send some samples of his artwork, and the subject for a cartoon was suggested. Sparky drew the proposed cartoon. He spent a great deal of time on it and on all the other drawings he submitted. Finally, the reply came from Disney Studios. He had been rejected once again. Another loss for the loser.

So Sparky decided to write his own autobiography in cartoons. He described his childhood self,a little boy loser and chronic underachiever. The cartoon character would soon become famous worldwide.

For Sparky, the boy who had such lack of success in school and whose work was rejected again and again, was Charles Schulz. He created the 'Peanuts" comic strip and the little cartoon character whose kite would never fly and who never succeeded in kicking a football,Charlie Brown.

Bits & Pieces, Vol. T/No. 17, pp. 9-11

!!!

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...A time to weep, and a time to laugh..." Ecclesiastes 3:1a, 4a

I'm not sure if this ride at Knotts Berry Farm will make you "weep or laugh"!!! I was 5 months pregnant at the time, so I was unfortunately unable to experience it for myself. I hope God will allow me to put it on my agenda one day, though!

Girls vs. Boys

This video clip was taken at Knotts Berry Farm in 2005. How true is this? :)

I hate to burst your bubble, my fellow females...although the video clip will mostly likely make you laugh (there is a reason why I captured and preserved it), the truth is, male and female are the same in God's eyes. That's a good thing! Galatians 3:28 says,

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

B.U.S.Y.

Before you tell someone you're just too busy, think again! There's actually another way to define "B.U.S.Y." Here's a great reminder for all of us.

K.I.S.S.

After attending a Leadershipworks Workshop in Hawai'i, I was enlightened about my social style, that is, Driver-Expressive. On the "driver" side, I agree that I do not enjoy being presented with way too many options; you'll only get my attention if you were to present me with the top 3 viable options.

Recently, I've been presented with at least 3 good choices. It's very easy to fall into analysis-paralysis mode, or at least default to choosing the most comfortable alternative. At the same time, I must be cautious to make decisions responsibly, but more importantly, I must be fully surrendered to what God wants, not what I want.

The thing is, God does not always immediately reveal His plans. As a result, our faith and patience are tried. If we want what God wants, but we couldn't figure out what He wants just yet, then what? Don't act. Wait. And wait patiently and prayerfully.

While waiting on God, we may seem and even feel indecisive, and that's an uncomfortable feeling...especially for someone with my social style. Sometimes, I feel pressured that many people are counting on me to make a decision and that prolonging the process would only affect their lives negatively, of which I take responsibility. This typically causes undue stress.

As I found some quiet time with my Heavenly Father last night, He reminded me of how He walked me through a similar process in January 2007, as I was getting ready to leave my comfort zone. I had followed God's leading, leaving behind the comforts of home/paradise (Hawai'i), family, church, and career, and not completely knowing what was up ahead or what was coming my way in Orlando, Florida. All I had was God, and I kept His promises very close to my heart. As I look back, that was truly all I ever needed. He took care of the rest, including the hearts of those He has placed in my care or sphere of influence.

Now that I'm faced with a similar situation, I must remember how God took care of me back then amid the uncertainties. I may be uncertain about many things, but I'm so glad that I can be certain of my Father and Who He was, is, and always will be. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! It can't get any simpler than that! I do not need to complicate things. I need to remember to keep things simple. K.I.S.S. --> Keep it simple, stupid!

I thank God for:

• Who He is
  
• His Word
  
• Placing people in my life - then and now - to give me Godly counsel
  
• Bringing to remembrance His wonderful works
  

Now that He has revealed His plan to me, I can act upon it confidently, because my confidence comes from the Lord!

This morning, He gave me the following passage for reassurance.

Psalm 36:5-11

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

Love, INC.

Source: Our Daily Bread

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." —Colossians 3:17

When I heard about the service agency called Love, INC, I assumed that meant Love, Incorporated. But it actually means Love—In the Name of Christ. The organization’s goal is to mobilize churches to reach out to a hurting and needy world in the name of Christ.

Throughout history, people have said they’re acting in Jesus’ name, when in reality it was for their own advantage. During World War II, the horrors of the Holocaust were sometimes rationalized by those who labeled the Jews “Christ-killers.” Today racist groups dare to use “Christian” in their name or literature while using violence and hatred to intimidate people.

The Word of God is so saturated with the word love that it’s hard to imagine how anyone could justify doing hateful acts in the name of Christ. Love is at the core of the gospel: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was motivated by God’s love. “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).

As grateful followers of Jesus, we are told to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). When we represent Him to other people in word and deed, they should see love, in the name of Christ. — Cindy Hess Kasper

Teach me to love—this is my plea;
May all the Spirit’s graces shine through me;
Tear from my heart all hate, foolish pride;
Help me to live like Christ the crucified. —Peterson
© 1968 John W. Peterson Music Company.

"Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, . . . but have not love, it profits me nothing." —1 Cor. 13:3

Sound Familiar?

Sadly, the old joke—with more than a hint of truth to it—goes something like this:

She: I need to know that you love me.
He: Well, if I didn’t love you I wouldn’t have married you.
She: But, that was twenty years ago.
He: If my feelings changed I would have told you.

Or, how about this version:

He: I need to know what you would like from me to show you I love you.
She: Well, if I have to tell you, it doesn’t mean anything to me. If I have to ask you for flowers and a dinner out, I’m not going to do it. It doesn’t mean anything to me.

Ouch!

Love requires action – thoughtful action. It is not enough to feel it.

Devotionals

Here are 2 websites that I usually visit for devotionals:

Crosswalk: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/
Our Daily Bread: http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml

99 Balloons

Words cannot express how much watching this has impacted me today. I hope you will allow God to freely speak to you in a powerful way.

Two Weeks Notice

Yesterday, I gave my 2 weeks notice to my current employer. As I look back and read my past blogs, I can see how God clearly paved the way for this transition, way before the thought even crossed my mind. He also orchestrated when and how I would give my notice, while re-confirming what He would have me to do. I'll always be grateful for all the friendships, business relationships, experience, etc. that I've gained while at AppleOne. I've truly learned a great deal.

August 2008: My family will be in transition, and so will my career. New beginnings. What's next? It will be a very interesting journey. It's great to know that God is always with me; better yet, He has already gone before me!

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9

Transitions

Disaster or Opportunity? You Decide

At 44 years old Phil had attained an amazing level of career success. Growing up in a family without TV he had developed an early appreciation of books. Now after 25 years in the publishing industry he was head of an $80 million division of one of the world’s largest and most respected publishers. He knew that being there was part of his calling. And yet he recognized a “growing dissonance” with the pressures from New York stockholders on the bottom line at the expense of product and customer focus. However, he assumed he needed to “suck it up, and stay – out of fear and a sense of responsibility.”

His unrest was addressed on a fateful day in 2004 when, rather than receiving an expected promotion, he was given a severance package and the invitation to clean out his desk. While that experience was “scary and humbling,” Phil says his thought was, “You’ve answered the prayer of my heart – not my lips, but my heart.” He says he would never have taken the “risk” of leaving on his own.

Today Phil has capitalized on an exploding trend in publishing – downloadable audio books. His company, eAudioSource.com is a leading provider of audio books and Bibles. You may notice that he is one of 48 Days recommended businesses. He simply found a new, innovative and fitting opportunity with even more potential for time, freedom and income than anything he had experienced in previous positions. In place of the challenges of a traditional publishing house, his “store” is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no employees, no physical inventory, and no limits to expansion. He is using every bit of his background, his valuable relationships and his unique expertise. He is still in publishing and, more importantly, is still fulfilling his same mission and calling in his life.

What a great example of taking one of those unexpected yet inevitable transitions that life brings us and using it as a springboard for even greater success – personally, in relationships and in creating balanced, fulfilling, purposeful and profitable work. Many of you are walking through similar transitions right now. Was losing your job or business a tragedy or a blessing? Are you expecting to use your background to create a more fulfilling new season in your life – or are you expecting less? Remember the Biblical truth: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

Author: Dan Miller, 48Days.com

Faith vs. Foolishness

While we thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Seattle, a big part of me longed to be in Hawai'i, instead...especially when I found out that we were in Seattle the exact same week that Ohana Baptist Church (OBC) was hosting a nightly revival, where Evangelist Rich Tozour was the guest speaker. OBC invites him every year for this event, and God had used him immensely in my life since 2001 to further my spiritual walk.

Last year, God gave me the privilege to serve him and his family; I hope that God will again provide an opportunity where He can use me to serve His faithful servants.

I absolutely miss the revivals at OBC (Pastor Wayne Surface typically arranges for such events 2-3 times per year). Thankfully, we now have the internet where we can listen to/download recorded sermons.

God's message for me today is about Abraham and how his faith may have seemed foolish to many others, hence the sermon title "The Foolishness of Faith". Click here to listen.

Sermon Outline:

Abraham believed and obeyed God concerning:

A Strange Country

• Disrupted Routine
• Departure from home
• Departure from a luxurious life to living in tents
• Destination Unknown
• Discouraging Discovery

A Seed of Promise

• Waiting on God
• Witnessing the Impossible

A Seemingly Senseless Sacrifice

• Perseverant Obedience
• Persuaded Obedience (God will bring Isaac back)
• Prepared Obedience (wood, fire, knife)
• Plenary (Total/Complete) Obedience

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." George Mueller

Simply put:
We start worrying when we stop trusting.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7

Time To Take A Risk?

A Sweet and Successful Error
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder

“Taste and see that the LORD is good;” Psalm 34:8

I have a new hero. Okay, maybe “hero” is a little overstated, but Ruth Graves Wakefield is credited with inventing my favorite comfort food of all time, the chocolate chip cookie. The story goes that she and her husband purchased a toll house that had been built in 1709 for the purpose of housing weary travelers. In the 1930’s, they built on to the house and began serving travelers at the Toll House Inn, where Ruth’s incredible desserts were well-known. One day, while making Butter Drop Dough cookies she realized she was out of one critical ingredient, baker’s chocolate. Whether she made the next decision out of necessity or ingenuity we may never know, but she made the now-famous decision to chop up a bar of semisweet chocolate and drop it into the batter thinking the chocolate would melt into the rest of the cookie. Lucky for us the chocolate didn’t melt. Instead, it held its shape but with a wonderful creamy texture. Voila! The chocolate chip cookie was created.

The truth is, many of the world’s best inventions started out as a mistake. What turned these mistakes into successes? Much can be attributed to the attitude, perseverance, and creativity of the person behind it all.

Playwright and Nobel Prize Winner, George Bernard Shaw, says of making mistakes,

“ A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.”

And Dale Carnegie said, “The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way,” which is exactly what Ruth Graves Wakefield did. She later began a professional partnership with Andrew Nestle, the candy maker who agreed to place her recipe for Toll House Cookies on the back of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Following Christ is often a series of sweet and successful errors. Some of these errors will seem more bitter than sweet, but if we can understand that we are on a journey with Jesus, following closely to Him and reaching for the dream He has placed in our hearts, then we are right where we belong. Yes, we might make a mistake or two along the way, but I believe the old adage is true,

“It’s better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all.”

Going Deeper:

I am suggesting that far too many of us never step out beyond what is “safe” in order to taste what is “sweet.” Psalm 34: 8 says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good;” Maybe today it’s time to take a risk and try something new; begin to seek the dream God has placed in your heart.

Further Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 30:21

Leslie Snyder is a youth and family ministry veteran currently serving in the Kansas City area with her husband and three kids.

Job Placement God's Way

Finders Keepers

Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. —Matthew 25:40

People who find something of value are generally eager to keep it. In such cases, the notion of “finders keepers” seems like a good thing. But what if the thing we find is a problem? In that case, we’re eager to give it up.

While working for the US Justice Department, Gary Haugen discovered a big problem. Someone needs to do something about this, he thought. He looked around for someone who could take on the injustice and abuse of authority he had uncovered. But then he realized that God was looking at him. In 1997, Haugen founded International Justice Mission to rescue victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery, and oppression.

Just as Moses was God’s answer for the slavery of His people in Egypt (Ex. 3:9-10), so too Haugen and his team are becoming God’s answer for those in slavery today. As Haugen says, “God doesn’t have a Plan B. His plan is you. You are the answer.”

God places us in unique circumstances where our abilities match the problem He wants to fix.

Jesus said that what we do for those in need, we do for Him (Matt. 25:35-40).

Have you found a problem? How might you be God’s solution? God may want you to be an answer to someone’s prayer. — Julie Ackerman, Our Daily Bread

By God’s design, there lies in wait for you
Important work that no one else can do.
Just as the planets find their paths through space,
You too must grow to fill your proper place. —Thayer

When God shows you a problem, He may ask you to be His solution.

Fun or Blessing?

The Time Of Anyone’s Life

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. —Galatians 6:9

What am I getting out of life? That’s a question often asked by those who focus only on themselves. But as believers, we need to ask: What am I putting into the lives of others?

Years ago, Dr. Wilfred Grenfell served as a medical missionary in Labrador. On a recruiting tour, he challenged nurses at Johns Hopkins Hospital to join him for a summer in his difficult ministry. He promised them hardship and discomfort. He warned that instead of earning a salary, they would have to pay their own expenses. But he also promised them they would experience joy because “it’s having the time of anyone’s life to be in the service of Christ.”

A nurse who accepted that challenge wrote this after her return from Labrador: “I never knew before that life was good for anything but what one could get out of it. Now I know that the real fun lies in seeing how much one can put into life for others.” If we change that word fun to blessing, we have the key to Christian self-fulfillment.

Take the apostle Paul’s encouragement: “[Do] not grow weary while doing good . . . . Do good to all” (Gal. 6:9-10). Put yourself into the lives of others for Jesus’ sake. You’ll experience a fulfillment beyond compare. — Vernon C. Grounds, Our Daily Bread

Make me a channel of blessing today,
Make me a channel of blessing, I pray;
My life possessing, my service blessing,
Make me a channel of blessing today. —Smyth

We are at our best when we serve others.

Uncertain?

When You Have Two Good Choices
Ray Pritchard
Keep Believing Ministries

An email arrived from a friend with a question that came up during a discussion time with some young women–most of them in their early 20s. All the young women are single. Here is the question that came up during the discussion:

“How do you make decisions in life when both roads seem to be good?” We were talking about having a “willing spirit”, and I asked them if there was anything God was asking them to do and if their answer would be yes to whatever he was asking of them. Some of them are faced with future decisions and not sure how to come about with making those decisions, especially like I said before that both roads seem good. I think they just don’t want to make a “wrong” decision. Thoughts?

This is a nice kind of question compared to a lot of things people ask me. The real answer is that with the Lord, when your heart is truly willing and open, there are no “wrong” decisions. The truth is, you can’t know in advance how your decisions will turn out. Sometimes (often) we choose to go in one direction only to find out later that it didn’t work out the way we expected. And sometimes we seem to foul up only to discover that God uses that difficult time to deepen our walk with him and ultimately to get us where he wants us to be.

The only thing God wants from us is an open heart to do his will. And if our hearts are open, when faced with two “good” choices, and when we have prayed, meditated, studied Scripture, considered the circumstances, weighed the pros and cons and sought godly counsel, when all of that is true and both options still seem good to you, well then, just close their eyes, take a deep breath, and then go and do whichever one you prefer. After all, God is perfectly able to lead us forward when we are willing to be led.

Sometimes we waste enormous energy seeking something God never promised. We want a guarantee. We want to know it’s all going to work out. We want all the uncertainty taken away. After preaching on this a few years ago, a man came up and said, “What you’re saying is, ‘We’ve still got to choose.’” Bingo! We’ve still got to choose. It’s going to be Wisconsin or Washington, dental school or the Army, Georgia Tech or Wheaton, Mike or John Mark, an SUV or a Mini-Cooper, a Mac or a PC, buying a new house or fixing up the one you have. You choose this doctor and that treatment and not some other doctor or some other treatment. And so it goes through all the decisions of life.

Knowing God’s will can never remove the uncertainty—nor should it. The uncertainty is good for us because it keeps us trusting and praying, it keeps us from being overly self-confident.

When your heart is right and you are faced with two good choices, take either one you like. And trust God with the result. If the heart is willing, the decisions of life will take care of themselves because God will direct your steps exactly where he wants you to be.

Final word. It all goes back to your view of God.

Is He sovereign?
Is He good?
Can I trust Him?

It’s not about your decisions, and it’s not about your future, and it’s not even about you. It’s all about God. When we start from that perspective, we can make our decisions even in times of doubt and uncertainty, and we can sleep well at night knowing that our God will put all the pieces together in exactly the right way.

Dr. Ray Pritchard is the president of Keep Believing Ministries and author of And When You Pray. He has ministered extensively overseas and is a frequent conference speaker and guest on Christian radio and television talk shows. He has authored over 27 books, includingCredo, The Healing Power of Forgiveness, An Anchor for the Soul, and Why Did This Happen to Me?

D.A.R.E.

Washington State: only 5 hours away from Hawaii, and 2 hours away from Canada. I left my passport at home, so Canada is no longer an option. If God allows me to find some really great travel deals to Hawaii, I'd be super-obedient!

What I've enjoyed about the trip so far:

• The opportunity to minister to a close friend about Jesus on Day 1
• The privilege to listen to a great message on Sunday (on my "To-Blog" list)
• The nice, cool weather
• Getting re-introduced to Korean long rice, imitation crab poke, and furikake!
• Something to look forward to: Jamba Juice (Hello, West Coast!!!) and Ivar's (I love their clam chowder!!!)
• Making a difference through the D.A.R.E. program

I was so happy to find a Safeway store here (we simply had to stock up on bottled water for a picnic at the park, that's all). It was great to find out that my discount/membership card still works :) In Hawaii, all of the clerks at Safeway were always so cheerful and friendly - like, they never had any bad days! I had the same experience here. I was greeted with a big smile on my way in and out of the store... which made it so easy for a group of fundraisers to get me to buy a $10.00 water bottle to support the D.A.R.E. program.

The boys and I staring at a school of fish at Ilihe Park.

The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program is the highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence. It is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. For more information, go to dare.org.

It's amazing what a simple smile can do. I say this because I normally would be complaining by now about how expensive the water bottle was compared to a Jamba Juice fundraiser where you'll not only get a really cool water bottle, you'll also get a nice big smoothie of your choice!

Showing off the DARE water bottle in front of a Safeway store. LOL.

The day's not over yet. Don't forget to smile. Besides, it keeps the wrinkles away! As someone once told me: It'll cost you more to get those wrinkles removed :)

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance." Proverbs 15:13

A Shopper's Remorse

Perfecting the art of traveling with small children: endless (not priceless). This is when red-eye flights become oh-so-desirable because that's when they're most likely going to be sleeping through the entire flight. And what about baggage? A timeless rule of thumb: pack less, shop more!!!

My excuse: I've only got 2 hands to use to hold each kid. That pretty much leaves me with nothing left to hold on to any additional luggage. And no, I don't check any baggage in each time I travel. Why? High risk + high effort = high stress. It's simply not worth it. Enough said. There is always a price to pay for safety, convenience, and a dose of sanity.

Within the first 24 hours of my arrival, we found ourselves shopping tirelessly...and enjoying it! No looking back. The plan is to mail these items back home. It's all about a seamless process.

After spending what I would have otherwise spent on our airfare at a nearby mall, I needed some reassurance that I wasn't going crazy. As I read my Bible, God gave me a very important message which I'll always hold on to whenever I go on a shopping spree (of course, "in moderation"):

"There is nothing better for a man, that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God." Ecclesiastes 2:24

"And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:13

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:1

Bye-bye, shopper's remorse! And, off to the mall, again! LOL.

Conclusion: "This too shall pass."

The Truth About Seeking After Knowledge

"The more we know, the more we see of our own ignorance."

Question: What are you going to do about it?

"For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow." Ecclesiastes 1:18

Where Was This Taken?

I think this picture was taken somewhere in Washington, D.C. in February 2003. For some reason, I can't remember. Help me out!

I was hoping to visit my niece and nephew (above picture taken in March 2003) in New Jersey this weekend; but, God had other plans, though it's been 5 years since I last visited them.

I found some hard evidence: my brother, Jacob, was flying a pink Care Bear kite @ Kapiolani Park with our kids in January 2007! I miss my brother! I miss Hawaii! Perfect weather. Perfect sky. Perfect breeze.

I found "my precious" at the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2008! LOL!

Ok, enough procrastinating...time to pack up (do I really have to?)...plane leaves in 4 hours.

Off to Seattle!

Happy 4th of July!

My Children, My Mission Field

God's purpose for my life is simply to glorify Him in all that I do. I have 2 major roles as a Christian and as a mother.

• As a Christian, I am very clear that I must follow Him in carrying out the Great Commission to help win souls for Christ.
  
• As a mother, I have a duty to fulfill. God has given me 2 very precious gifts, my children, and it is my duty to raise them up responsibly while giving God the glory. They are my biggest responsibility.
  

It is possible to sometimes overlook the need to see your own children as souls that must be won for Christ. My children = my "mission field". Next to God, they are my purpose, my life, my all. I may not show it as much, I may not say it, I may not talk about it,...but, I hope they are able to see, know, believe, and trust that I love them with all my heart...and that I always will, no matter what.

I do not wish to spoil them, and I may probably give them a lot of "tough love". I may not always give them what they want so that they could learn how to pray, set goals, look forward to something while waiting patiently, and see God move and provide! A no-brainer: their "wants" only get bigger as they get older! I want their faith and patience to grow as their needs and wants grow! I want them to learn how to be thankful!

Yes, they do have needs as well. As a parent, it is my responsibility to provide for their needs...physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I have a deep desire to make sure that they are well-provided for, especially when they ask directly or even, indirectly...especially if the request is "reasonably legitimate". It hurts me when I know that it is not/will never be within my ability to provide for certain needs...

It's a comfort to know that our Heavenly Father knows our every need, and that includes the needs of our children...He knows them before we even ask! He will provide for their needs when I can't. That's His job!!! That's His promise!!! I am but a channel of His blessings, His many blessings. I have to teach my kids to trust Him, not me, to meet their every need. Therefore, I must live by example. I must live by faith, every moment, every breath, every step of the way.

"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:7

Patience, My Dear!

God knows that one of the areas that I need improvement on big time is PATIENCE. Lately, my faith in Him has been "tried". Now, I know why. He wants me to learn patience.

"Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1: 3, 4

All Smiles!

Truly, God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform! I can clearly sense God's leading, step by step. I still don't know the final destination. No matter what and where that will be, as long as He is there, I'll be as joyful as can be!

Today, He led me to engage in very open conversations that, to others, could have been quite risky. In the end, I'm so grateful I followed God's leading. The results are not even close to what I planned and/or expected them to be, but they're much better! With God's help, things are falling into place. They are starting to make sense. Although it's not over yet, it's exciting to see His hand in all of this! I'm so glad He is in it!

Certain plans today may have been postponed, but I have peace that God knows best. I can trust His timing on this one, as with everything else (past, present, future). This, too, will make sense later on.

As I'm typing this, I just received another unexpected phone call. To others, this could very well be a great source of irritation. By God's grace, I was able to smile the entire time and just laugh it off. It's amazing what God can do...it's just so wonderful when you're able to see what He's trying to show you every step of the way!

Today's been very interesting, but it's been great! Why? Because I knew that God was holding my hand the whole way through! And, He still is! He always will!

Being still...holding on...with a smile :)

For now, He has also provided for another need: a need to get away! Yeah! God knows me soooo well! Unless He tells me otherwise, I'll be out of town starting Friday!!! Talk about perfect timing! This came as a pleasant surprise! God is great! Sweet dreams...

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." James 1:17a