Growing in Faith Through Christian Workshops

Biblical workshops and training programs can be a wonderful way to touch on matters of the heart. Learning from people with strong Christian faith can help ease the pain and loneliness that often go alongside poverty and other types of adversity. Christian workshops allow individuals to fellowship with others from similar circumstances and can help ease the feelings of discouragement, hopelessness, and powerlessness that are so damaging to anyone hoping to better their circumstances.

Christian-based workshops allow individuals to see themselves as God created them, strengthens and helps grow their faith, and provides them with the peace and comfort that Jesus can provide. These workshops also challenge many negative matters of the heart that hold people back. Working to rethink perceptions about yourself and others, dealing with pride and selfishness, and developing a humble spirit are all part of the process of becoming a warrior for Christ. While the process can be challenging, developing into the person God meant for you to be your reward.

Of course, matters of the heart are only one part of the process of developing into a strong and resilient Christian. In many areas, just having basic needs met is a challenge. Participating in and supporting programs that provide needed services such as food and water is a strengthening process for both the giver and the receiver.

Vocational training programs to teach women how to start and run their own businesses are another way Christ-centered programs can improve other's lives. With a source of income, these women become valuable, and valued, members of the community. Programs that provide start-up funds for these businesses, as well as training, is a gift to the entire community.

Whether someone is interested in taking part in a Christ-centered workshop, or giving or receiving aid, involvement in these programs provides a very real way to impact lives. While you may think you are too much of a sinner to have anything of value to offer, nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone has value, and through the work of Christ-centered programs, everyone can see their worth.

Christmas Morning 2012

I really hope that each year, we would have a Christ-centered Christmas. At breakfast today, we prayed to Jesus and gave thanks for blessing us with so much, even trials that keep us trusting in the Lord, trials that keep us together. We also sang the birthday song to Jesus. Elle blew out the candle. Afterwards, it's time to open the gifts. This is our Christmas tree.

The gifts represent blessings and the people who remembered us. I helped Elle make "ornaments" which showcased her interest as of the moment.

I had these for breakfast: pizza and chocolate drink with chocolate mint candy canes.

May your Christmas be more meaningful with Jesus' peace, hope and love filling our hearts!

On Mining and Wisdom

With the negative impact of mining on the environment and on the livelihoods of the inhabitants near the mining site, it is not surprising that #NoToMining was trending on Twitter in the Philippines. I wonder how this issue will affect the mining stocks. I wonder what Tim Sykes, a trader, will say about that.


While reading the Bible, I stumbled upon a chapter in Job about mining and wisdom. The timing was perfect since the news and Twitter were abuzz with the issue on mining. I will paste all of it here so that we could all gather insights.

Job 28 (NIV) 

Interlude: Where Wisdom Is Found 

 ¹ There is a mine for silver 

   and a place where gold is refined. 

² Iron is taken from the earth, 

   and copper is smelted from ore. 

³ Mortals put an end to the darkness; 

   they search out the farthest recesses 

   for ore in the blackest darkness. 

⁴ Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft, 

   in places untouched by human feet; 

   far from other people they dangle and sway. 

Receiving End of God's Love

A blessed new year to you, guys! The holidays have come and gone by quite fast. So, what did you receive last Christmas? Did you accept the greatest Gift God gave to mankind?

source

Now that 2012 is here, have you decided to open your arms to something new that God is going to give you?

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Here's to a more peaceful and prosperous new year ahead of us, for we are always at the receiving end of God's unconditional love.

A Sudden Christmas-y Feeling

You know how Christmas is associated with merry-making, gifts, and an over all happy, expectant feeling; I actually felt glum and not very festive. The reason has to do with the financial aspect of my life. I know that it's wrong to equate celebrating this season with money, but that's just how it is in this world. Even with deal sites like Ensogo, Pakyaw, Yipit, Buyanihan, Deal Grocer, Groupon, etc., I wouldn't be able to take advantage of stuff like Chicago daily offers and purchase gifts for family and friends. I even have a wish list of material things that I know I wouldn't be able to afford in years or maybe even decades.

Before I make you all depressed with my rant, it is under these circumstances that God shows me what's truly valuable in life. Sure, I have a long list of wants, but I also have all that I need. He also pointed out to me that I won't be able to bring any material thing with me when I die. Everyday, there sure is something I could be thankful to Him for, especially the intangible stuff like good health for me and my family, God's protection, love of my family, cherished memories, etc. 

That wish list could be my motivation for striving to generate income for my family and myself. But, I want to do something that I love, my kids will love, and most importantly, something that God will love and will bring Him glory. 

This realization made me feel like a kid again, anticipating the arrival of Christmas as celebrating the Lord not with what I wish to have, but with what I have now.

Not Just A Mother

Giving birth to a son/daughter doesn't just make a woman a mom. She also has to take on other roles and responsibilities at the same time, too. Some moms even have to be dads to their children. To my 4-year-old daughter, I see myself as a/an:

• Guide - not just a tourist guide, but the mentoring kind. This is a big responsibility, for what I teach, not just through words but also through actions, is etched deeply into her mind, thus she reflects how I am as a person. I really need God's help on this one as the immensity of molding another person is quite overwhelming and challenging, a really big job! It must be done right.
• Stylist - having a daughter is sometimes fun for the moms to dress up, not just with t-shirts and pants, but with dresses, hats, hair accessories, cardigans, girly socks and pretty shoes. But, I am not into dressing up little girls as mini adults, it should be age-appropriate.
• Entertainer - kids really do get bored very easily so I need to devise ways to keep her occupied. Also, during car rides to far places, it is hard for her to stay still so it is wise to keep toys, picture books and imaginations handy.
• Teacher - the one in school is not enough, at home, I need to help her do her homework. Elle calls me "Mama Teacher" sometimes. 
• Referee - as early as now, Elle and her baby brother Caleb fight like cats and dogs already. Aside from breaking them up, I need to be objective, too. But sometimes, they said it's OK to let them resolve conflicts on their own, I just don't know if it's applicable at this stage.
• Nutritionist - for someone who doesn't really watch what she eats, this is difficult as I need to come up with dishes that will be beneficial for my kids. Plus, I don't really cook before I got married!

How about you, mommies? What other roles do you take on since becoming a mother?

http://www.zulva.com/images/mother/images/1-mom.gif

Moms: Purposefully Make Time For God

I'd like to share this article to Christian moms like me who are too caught up in a busy mommy life that devotions with the Lord come very rarely. It is entitled The spiritual life of a busy mom: Carving out time with God when there's no time to be had.

http://www.ctk-nola.org/Biblehomepage.html

Here are some practical solutions that I could do in between cooking for my family and spending time with my little ones:

•One mother recently started spending devotional time with God during the first 20-30 minutes of her twin daughters’ nap time. She views this time as a spiritual act of worship in which she can literally trust God to help her accomplish everything she still needs to do that day. “I find that time alone with God is especially crucial to re-set my priorities and refresh my heart on the days when it feels like I don't have time to be alone with God today. Those are the days when devotional time with God is most life-giving for me, my husband and my children.”


•Another mom said, “I love to listen to the local Christian station or to Christian CDs in the car. Right now, my favourite is the CD my church's choir put together last year. It's full of the praise music we sing every Sunday, so I feel like I'm sitting in my regular worship service every time I listen to it.”

•“I try to make time for Christian books occasionally. And, whenever possible, I look for a women's Bible study at my church to join. That has always been a blessing, as I'm able to fellowship with other Christian women and moms while finding a quiet hour away from the kids and the constant needs at home.”

•“I keep a weekly prayer journal that's divided into three parts: thanks, confession and requests.”

•“Surprisingly, I find that moments when I am simply sitting, watching and enjoying my daughter, are moments when I am more aware of God’s presence than ever. That’s when, in my heart, I thank Him for her, recognize how blessed I am and utter quick prayers (two-sentence pleas) to Him for her, for me as her mom, and for my husband.”

•Pray while in the shower or when you’re getting ready for the day.

•Write reminders and memory verses on sticky notes around the house.

•Set a reminder on your phone or computer to remind you each day to fit in some quality time with God.

•Read the Bible with your kids, even if they’re playing on the floor and don’t seem to really be listening. By doing so, you’re setting a good example – and they might even surprise you by how much they absorb!

•Purchase an audio version of the Bible (some websites also offer these). Listen while you cook dinner, fold laundry or do other household tasks. Also great while in the carpool lane!

•Set your children up with a craft project (something that needs minimal supervision) or institute an “alone time” each day when everyone plays or relaxes in their own room. Use this time to study Scripture, read a devotional book or simply pray.

The Bad, The Good and The Ugly

The Bad.
When I thought that everything was already good to go, something goes wrong to cause stress. After all, the plan was simple. Around 11am was supposed to be baby Caleb's dedication, and afterwards, to the birthday lunch venue. No programs, no clowns, no etcetera.
But...

• The person from the parish office told me that my schedule was 9am and that the reverend had already left.
• The other pastor needed to attend some anniversary gathering and cannot substitute.
• He had lots of excuses when I have already called twice to confirm!
• He suggested we re-schedule.
• Then, we were a bit late for the lunch party. Guests were already waiting for us.
• I was reprimanded because there were more tables than guests.
• I was reprimanded for letting the nanny go on a day-off that day.

The Good.
In hindsight, even with the setbacks and the emotional rollercoaster that I have gone through, there were many things to be thankful to God for that day. Like...

• My hubby who talked with the person from the parish office.
• Accompanied by my friend who was bent on making the dedication happen, the person from the parish office had to make a way. Thanks, Beth!
• It didn't rain, praise God!
• My daughter Elle who looked so pretty as a little princess and she seemingly enjoyed the party playing with lots of kids.
• Aunts who were concerned about me and my children are blessings.
• Thankfully, Caleb did not cry at the sight of many people. Family and friends were able to carry him.
• I'm grateful for the guests who did attend and I think it was not right to worry over those who should have come.
• I was the one excited for Elle to open her gifts, teehee!

The Ugly.

• The grown person who was weeping: ME!

Borrowing or Lending?

Polonius:

Neither a borrower nor a lender be,

For loan oft loses both itself and friend,

And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 75–77

I don't know how my parents did it, but I was raised to "neither a borrower nor a lender be." As much as possible, I didn't want to borrow money. And, lending money makes things awkward between friends as it would be hard to ask them to return it when the time comes. 

Except for credit cards, which I pay fully to avoid incurring charges, I find myself having an aversion to loans like personal loans or VA Home Loans. When I was working at the bank, I always receive calls from various banks and companies asking me if I want to avail of loans, which I believe have scary interest rates, so I always decline. Until now, when I have already resigned, I still get text messages of loan offerings, which I of course, ignore. 

I would wonder, at times, what if the day comes when I would have nothing at all? Wouldn't I be forced to borrow cash from anyone, just so I could feed my children? Would anyone even lend money to me? I shudder at the thought. By then, I would have to need something like FHA Streamline Refinance, I suppose, if it's applicable.

It really is sad to think that the world thrives on having money. But, as always, God promises that He will never leave us, He won't forsake us. And I have this promise to hold on to, even if I may have nothing.

Thankful on Valentine's Day

What better day than today to be thankful for God's unfailing love for us? Valentine's Day is not only for couples, but for everyone experiencing LOVE in their lives - the Lord's love, love of family and friends, and love for strangers who are in need. 

The year 2010 was a year that I saw God's love in action (but then it always is). There were answered prayers around me. The Lord granted the desire of my hubby Rix's heart and mine to have a baby boy for our second child. I delivered Caleb safely through C-section and I was recovering rapidly. I am thankful to God for this. Rix's friend's wife became pregnant and God also gave them a baby boy this time after having two girls. One of my friends wanted to have a baby after a year of being married and God answered her prayer. My good friend is enjoying her life now after getting her heart broken. 

I am also thankful for God's continuous provision even if there are times that I worry about the future. There are also some luxury we could still afford and with that I feel blessed. 

Last November was nightmarish for our family because our daughter Elle almost had Dengue fever. One helper that we had, tested positive for Dengue fever and was even confined. I worried (which I should not do), I cried and prayed to God a lot. I even stayed at my parents' house with baby Caleb just to be sure that he won't get it, too. Rix was here at home tending to Elle. It was hard being apart and we missed each other so much. I am thankful that God healed Elle and what she had was Dengue-like fever. Her platelet count did descend but not as fast as the real thing. I am so glad it was over and I know that the Lord made it so. 

This post was inspired by Mommy Ruby who has so much to be thankful for.

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A Grateful Heart's Poem

There's so much to be thankful for.
I cannot list them all!
First is the One who
Catches me when I fall.
Not literally, of course!
He is Jesus Christ.
The love He has for us
Shouldn't leave us surprised.
Next is my husband
Who understands and cares
All about me,
Even wears and tears.
Third is my daughter,
Who's sweet and strong-willed.
Lets me learn patience
In the mommying field.
Fourth is my baby boy
Whose smiles I treasure,
So cute, lovable. Brings
Happiness I cannot measure.
Fifth are my family
And friends who really
Are there to inspire
And support me.
Lastly, I'm thankful
For each blessing received,
For each morning, a chance
That dreams may be achieved.

What Lies Ahead

I welcome the year 2011 with God's grace, mercy and blessings! A new year entails a new and revised set of goals, some milestones to achieve especially with children.

• Caleb is going to start on solids already, so my goal is to get him to eat veggies so it will become a habit. I do not want him to be like his sister who loathes greens and orange-colored vegetables.
• Speaking of habit, I want praying to become our family's habit. Also, reading the Bible again and again I will incorporate in my everyday life.
• Financially, I need to be careful with spending and peruse sites like Savings.com. I hope I make good use of deals that could help me save money in the long run. Also, I need to market Human Nature aggressively. I am starting with that by giving the products as gifts for any occasion. I wish they would like them and order from me. 
• De-clutter, a word I dread but is a must! Our house is as chaotic as it can be. Practice being ruthless is what I should do when it comes to cleaning out shelves, toy boxes and closets. I have to keep in mind that the more I give out or give up, the more space I'll have for new stuff.
• I aim to teach my daughter more on the alphabet and to write letters and numbers better. Did I mention that she started junior nursery already last November? I was proud that she didn't cry on her first day and first week of classes. And it's heart-warming to see that she has a zeal for school since she likes to answer her assignments.
• I also have a new blog, which I call: 

Please click here to learn more about it

I didn't include it anymore, but this is the first story I wrote for my blog. The new blog was created on impulse, actually. So I decided that my fictitious stories be stored in one place. I hope to write more and share my inspirations, thoughts and stories woven from my loom of a mind. I also hope that some people will bother to read it. :-)

By the way,this is my first ever entry to Mommy Moments hosted by Mommy Chris.

Meet Caleb

His first name was chosen by his daddy, I chose Caleb as his second name. Why Caleb?

• I wanted a name from the Bible.
• But not a super common one here in the Philippines.
• He was mentioned by God, as in the verse in the picture above
• He was faithful to God.
• He knows and declares God's victory. (He was one of the spies sent to the promised land of Canaan.) "Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said,'We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.'" Numbers 13:30
• Know more about Caleb here and here.

Fear? Or Faith?

I am glad I chanced upon a channel on cable showing the sermon of Joel Osteen in Lakewood Church. The topic he was speaking about was Replacing Fear with Faith. This is perfect for me because I sometimes worry too much, and think too much of my fears.

Nowadays, it is easy to be negative. We have the news to thank, telling us to expect the worst of the economy, the worst of the year and sometimes the worst in people. We are also influenced by the people around us, even our own friends who think or react negatively. Remember that fear is faith in reverse. Joel Osteen suggested that we surround ourselves with more positive friends, we guard our minds from the power of suggestion (the negative ones) and that we must not let anyone talk us into mediocrity. This is because fear, worry and negativity are contagious.

As are faith, victory and hope, using our energy to believe, to declare God's blessings over our lives. The amount of energy taken to say,"I am never going to get well..." is the same as saying,"I am going to live a long, healthy and happy life!" Why not choose the latter and make good use of that energy? Expect the best from God, from the year. Do not watch the fear channel, the worry channel, the negative channel. If these come on, change the channel! What we meditate on will come to pass, so we must keep thoughts of victory in mind. Do not let our imaginations run wild in the wrong direction, let us activate our faith.

Matthew 9:29 TNIV

"Then he touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith let it be done to you'."

Daddies - God's representatives

Below is a lovely AND yummy-looking cake I'd love for my dad or my hubby. Don't you find all the icing irresistible?

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Does your father or hubby like ties? And not just the ones around the neck. There are more Father's Day tie cakes over here.

God's Word is Precious

It sure is nice to go back to those times when we were happy, ecstatic, and filled with positive anticipation of what life has to give. But when things do not go the way we wanted them to, when the people we thought would make us happy didn't quite meet our expectations, we are weighed down with sorrow. It seems as if there is nothing but despair to look forward to, it seems life does not go on for us. But God says there is hope for all. There is light at the end of the dark and damp tunnel we are going through. He gives His word on that, we can rely on His precious and great promises written in the Bible. Even if the people we love seem to desert us in times of great need, God will never ever leave us. Trying moments are there to teach us to trust in Him, in His goodness, in His love. To be close to Him is what He desires. In time, I will see the reasons and the lessons for the difficulties I am going through.

New Year Brings...

In an instant, it seems things have changed
In an instant, our lives rearranged
Into correct perspectives
Thinking over our objectives
Another chance to start again
To mend the ways we had back then
To reach the goals as we hope
Courage for trials to cope
Easier said than done
Challenges make a strong one
Stronger faith in the Lord
To keep as we gave our word

Trusting and Entrusting

photo source

As I sat contemplating on my gall bladder and liver problem after my lunch, our church's head Pastor's message came to my recollection. I have already heard him mention this twice on different services. Where do we put our trust? We entered the building, which houses the church and we trust the architect that the cement ceiling wouldn't fall down upon our heads. One of the band members sat under one of the speakers and he trusted that it wouldn't crash down upon him. As I sat on one of the pews, was I not worried it would give under my weight? Of course, it is not his intention to let us become paranoid! Pastor just wished to call to our attention the fact that these things are made by man, and we feel secure using them, what more that which is made by God?

How is this connected with my maladies, you ask? Well, I admit I haven't been praying much recently. And I know it is indecent of me to be starting on it again now that I am in trouble. The doctors I went to said that I should undergo surgery and have my gall bladder removed. I really do not want to be cut open again. And would my liver be cured by removing my gall bladder? Maybe not. I wouldn't want to be at the mercy of doctors with scalpels. That's the reason I tried the Apple Juice therapy, so the stones would leave the natural way. and the reason I am now taking Chinese herbal medicine. But the ones who introduced and made, respectively, are also humans, prone to making mistakes. And I know I needed God. I know that only He has the power to heal me, to make me well. It is Him that I needed to trust. I was made by Him, and He knows my anatomy more than I do.

Now that I have resolved to trust Him once more. I need to entrust myself to Him, too, along with all my problems and cares. Entrusting means fully handing over to God something that I cannot do anything about. It is beyond my capabilities. Worrying about it is unequal to entrusting. Sometimes I think too much about a challenge and it is admittedly quite unhealthy.

Typing it here makes me more decided to follow through: I am trusting God to heal me, and I entrust to Him my illness and all other worries.

Note: I am not saying I will escape surgery altogether. If the alternative ways fail to work, and if it is absolutely necessary, I am willing to undergo the ordeal.

Promoted!

Effective 1st of August of the year 2008 is my promotion from S1 to S2. Yippee! After 2 years and almost 5 months of working with the company, it's nice to see that my efforts are rewarded. Although there are bonuses and increases, a promotion is still a promotion, an advancement in rank or position. Several superiors and colleagues called and sent e-mails to congratulate me. There will of course be an increase in my salary, I just don't know when it will be credited. I know that this is just a minimal increase, in comparison to some who are earning much, but it is not right to compare. This is still a blessing from the Lord that I should be grateful for. The glory does not belong to me, but to God who makes "all things work for the good of those who trust in Him." Maybe this is God's way of telling me to stay with the company. There are many people who jump from company to company when they are slightly dissatisfied with the paycheck or the colleagues. Like what my husband had stated, when I get to other workplaces, will I be sure that there won't be a person there that I dislike? So that isn't a valid reason to tender resignation. It also pays to invest time and effort in one's work, even if it seems that no one is paying attention to your labor, God always sees and knows who are giving their best.

Baby Talk

My baby seems like he/she cannot wait to be born. It's a funny idea, though there is nothing funny about pre-term labor and a baby born prematurely. Last night, I read in a book called God's Way for Mothers, about a mother who had her baby Caitlin born prematurely. When she took Caitlin home, she was apprehensive for the care of such a fragile child. Then she noticed that the baby wouldn't look at her face and kept her eyes tightly shut. As a mother, she didn't even know the color of her baby's eyes. It was sad and lonely for the mother to be rejected by her baby. The pediatrician said this happens because the baby has associated her caretakers with pain, as she had endured that in the hospital. Now, the baby was ignoring the mother. I wouldn't want this to happen to me, which mother would want to be ignored by her own baby? What she did was, she saw her past pain in new perspectives, saw how God was working in her life even if she was hurting. She said that the baby was like her, closing her heart to God as if He was the one who caused her wounds not to heal completely. Then one day, by God's grace, Caitlin looked at her directly, and now, she could see that her eyes were green with gold specks. It was a miracle and God's love worked in her life.