Key to Success

I found this video on a friend’s timeline that talks about “Keys to Success” in life.  It was interesting because what she shared were actually what Jesus taught us in the Holy Book.

Angela Lee Duckworth reiterates that successful people have “grit”, described as one with passion and perseverance for very long term goal….working really hard to make that future a reality….living life like it’s a marathon and not a sprint.  Grit is never giving up…and the acceptance of failure.

God invented “GRIT” and is taught to us as evidenced in the following scriptures:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Prov.14:23.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” Heb 12:1

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Gal 6:9

“"Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up.: Prov. 24:16a

In Angela’s studies, some questions were raised, and to quote:

“How do I build “grit” and how do I get people motivated for the long run?”

“I don’t know!” was her honest answer.

But I know the answer to that.

Jesus. Our knowledge and faith on our Lord Jesus, our Saviour.

Jesus Himself is the main motivation to keep running.  The main way to “run with endurance the race that is set  before us” is, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (12:2-3)

You have to remember though that you can’t run the race if you’ve never entered it.  If you’ve never put your faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, you aren’t even in the race.  If you don’t enter the race and run with endurance, you wont’ get the prize.

Getting the prize is freedom! Finishing the race is success!

It's Called Integrity

from the word integer, which means ONE..

I have integrity when who I am at home is ONE with who I am outside of my home.. When it is not ONE (inside and outside the home) then I am living in pretense... Jesus calls it "hypocrisy".

I could have deep respect for people outside my home, but if I am unkind to my own family, that is hypocrisy.. It is not ONE.. It is not integrity... it is called hypocrisy. (Celebrate Recovery)

"If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." 1 Jn 4:20

Photo by CJ

God 
Will
Redeem, Restore, Rebuild!

My heart cries out to see the devastation in areas greatly affected in my home country, the Philippines. So far, 10000 deaths found in Tacloban alone. The whole province is wiped out. I am grieving for my fellow countrymen. I thank God for Australia, my adopted country, for extending help financially. Filipinos here in Perth are pulling resources together to send relief goods to be shipped to the remote areas.

Countless have lost their homes and the humble possessions have been wiped out by the merciless, “Yolanda”. So many little children lost their parents, their families! Being so far away, I can only gather and put together as much resources as possible to send home.

Bim and I were contemplating about the turn of events last night. God allow these circumstances in our lives for a reason– just like the life experience of Job in the Bible. He lost everything that he had. When Job made a sacrifice in faith, at the end, the Lord turned Job’s captivity and gave him twice as much as he had before. Suffering had been an expansive, faith-demonstrating opportunity for Job. God had grown much bigger; Job had become smaller in his own eyes.

The Filipinos will come out of this with greater faith, to see God as much bigger than all the struggle and suffering!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, please continue to pray for those people in the Philippines greatly affected. Our ultimate help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth!

God will redeem, God will restore, God will rebuild! God save the Philippines!
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Shot taken at Silay, Negros Occidental, July 2013
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http://jensnursingchronicles.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/thank-god-i-am-filipino.html

Fearfully
And
Wonderfully!

Beautiful Sunday morning, whilst driving back home after church service:

Bim: “That was an awesome message, wasn’t it kids? I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Listen, what does ‘fearfully’ mean to you?”

We were all silent. I couldn’t think of anything to say.

Jed: “Hhhmm… I know the answer but I just can’t express it!”

CJ: “Yeah right, Jed!”

Bim: “Sure, we all know what ‘wonderfully’ means – it means unique, beautiful, different, striking, remarkable—outside of the power of human comprehension! But what about ‘fearfully’? It wasn’t explained very well at preaching today?”

Still and silence dominated the atmosphere.

Then Bim continued on, “Fearfully means: to stand in awe, deep reverence, respect, honor! God created us with awe, with reverence, with respect and with honor! And the best part is, God ‘fearfully and wonderfully’ created us in His image! Imagine that! Isn’t that amazing?” Then he continued on to explain further. I found myself taking notes!

May we be enthralled by this thought and encourage us that we were remarkably and uniquely created by the Creator in awe and reverence in His own image!

Wouldn't that blow your mind away? Praise be to God!

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

'Tis 
Beyond
Measure!

Immediately after the night shift was a side trip to the hardware store to buy some lights, a few more potted plants and a short picket fence to install around my herb garden. 

Just when I was about to pay at the cashier, this lady said, “You’re a nurse, aren’t you?”

I quickly replied, “Yes?”

And then she continued, “And you just got out from work. How was the night shift?”

I said, “It was very busy. And how did you know I’m a nurse?”

She pointed to my ID. And just when I was about to say something, she interrupted by saying, “You nurses are a gem! You guys are beyond measure! You work very hard, oftentimes unappreciated. You save lives and you always wear a smile. Just like you now. Your eyes show you’re tired but the smile never left your face.”

I was left bewildered.

And then she said, “Because of that, this, this and this (pointing to some plants, the lights and other little things that I bought) is on me!”

I was shocked! She offered to pay half of my bill!

Wow, totally unexpected. I had so much joy in my heart way beyond measure! What a treat. Indeed, the joy of the Lord is my strength!

Thank you amazing God!

So Is A Smile!

Just as sweet as the flow’rs in bloom 

of spring array’d

So is a smile, such lovely portrait

of a semblance portray’d.

Just as the mountains beamed

to gape on spring

So is a smile, as light as feather

refreshment it brings.

Just as fresh dewdrops glisten

like glass beads pearly spray

So is a smile, a glimpse

of heaven’s matchless display!

Just as lovely blossoms beam like

the morning sunshine

So is a smile, momentary troubles

Compel to unwind.

Just as the nightingale seranades

her lullaby by sunfall

So is a smile, of a little child’s

who hears its mother’s call.

Just as the bees kissing the soft

velvety petals of a rose

So is a smile, inequities are forgiven

and silences the opposed.

An ORANGE day at the backyard.
Enjoy and watch a favourite song of mine. I love, love this video! Trust me, you’ll be left grinning the whole day! 



Blessings from Perth!

Shall be Opened!

A friend once asked me, “When is that “ideal”, prince-charming coming into my life, Jenny?”

I had no answer to that query simply because I do not know the answer. 

People desire so many things:  a husband, a wife, a house, a car, a child, a university degree.  But it stops there.  A desire.  It only sums up to a “desire”.

The Holy Scriptures say, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  Matt. 7:7

Ask.  The main condition.  Is it God’s will?  Are you entrusting yourself to God’s loving authority, praying in line with God’s Word, and being led by His Spirit?  Do you surrender to His precepts and discerning to misleading choices and deception?  Is it God’s priority for you?

Seek.  Do you ask the Holy Spirit to lead your steps, to direct your ways, and to guide you with your decisions?  Do you go out of your way to find what God has in store for you?

Knock.  Are you "persistent and bold" enough to walk in faith (Luke 11:5-8), willing to wait and persevere?  Do you believe that God will provide what you desire and need?    He may not answer right away but He notices you!  Now, go and tag on His robe.

Our faith and prayer exposes our belief in our all-knowing, all answering God who gives good and perfect gifts to His children.  The key is knowing our Heavenly Father and knowing we are His, He will not withhold anything from us. 

In His perfect time….

It will be given you,

You shall find

It will be opened to you!

A beautiful weekend to one and all! 

This is an old door knocker from my aunt.  Thank you Tita Pynky! It’s now on our door!

The Master Potter

These earthenware are called “burnay”. The industry that has grown from the making of burnay dates back to pre-colonial times when immigrants from China came to settle in Vigan, Ilocos Region, the Philippines. They practiced the craft of making earthenware using the grade A clay that was found in plenty in the Western area of Vigan. 



The making of burnay is done with just the use of the potter’s skillful hands and use of pottery wheel and kiln. Fine sand is used to temper the clay, which once fashioned into the desired shape is placed inside high-temperature ground kilns made from brick and clay. Compared to terracotta, people say that the burnay is hardier, and definitely sturdier.

 (the potter's hands skillfully forming a uniquely shaped vessel)

 (pots are now being air-dried before they are being baked in kilns)

 Burnay jars were first introduced to me by my mother-in-law, oh way back in the early 90’s.  Since then, I have always been fascinated by its unique shape and make.  So when my family visited the Philippines in July this year, it was such a privilege and interesting to witness how they were made: firstly, a slap a lump of clay placed firmly on the potter’s wheel followed by some human “kick power” to get the potter’s wheel turning at a pretty impressive speed whilst a pair of expert hands started to form a uniquely shaped vessel.  These pots are then air-dried before they are baked in traditional century old kilns fired up by wood. 

 (the end product product - heavy, sturdy, dark jars ready for the market)

I am so happy to be able to hand-carry a few miniature pots back to Perth, now my home.  These pots are about 3 inches in height and barely 2 inches in diameter. Yes, they are old, each weighing about 220-250 grams.

(the century old kiln fired up by chunks of wood)

Amazing how each of us were fashioned by the hands of God Himself.  We are uniquely crafted, and perfectly designed by our loving Father in Heaven.  The problem for people has always been sin.  Sin seeks to redesign our hearts and minds through lies, deception, and temptation.  In Christ, our sin is paid for, and we are offered the chisel of the Holy Spirit who resides in us!  

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”  Isa. 54:8

My prayer: “Holy Spirit, please lead us and change our hearts to be for God.  Lord God, re-shape us and make us new once more.  You are our master potter after all.  If we are broken in some way, You can most surely make it right!  Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Color: Dark Clay

The pictures taken here are the traditional pottery making in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.  July 2013