Enjoy Harmony in Your Home - Part V

Build teamwork among your family members. Give every family member in your house the opportunity to express their goals for your household. Then do whatever you can to work together to pursue common goals. Avoid nagging or yelling when trying to motivate family members to pitch in with their share of the work around the house; realize that nagging and yelling never motivates people and creates negative relationships with them. Instead, identify expectations clearly (define what your family considers to be a clean house, and how certain chores should be done to be done successfully) and negotiate with kindness and respect. Use incentives like praise and rewards to positively motivate your family members – especially your children. Remember that you’re doing your kids a favor when you require them to help with household chores; you’re helping them learn valuable life skills they’ll need when they live on their own, and you’re giving them opportunities to invest in their home to increase their sense that it belongs to them, too. Be sure to thank each of your family members for the chores they do, even though they’re expected to do the work. Let them know regularly how much you appreciate their contributions to your family’s household.

“Crossroads” - I didn’t see it

The last few days have been pretty grueling. Three of my children stayed home from school because of the flu. I’m physically exhausted for I have to get up at 3 in the morning to give my daughter her dose of medicine. And every time I tried to return to sleep, I’m more likely to toss back my head with eyes wide open. And if I did, I wake up the next day, groggy.

One evening, after a disappointing night from my IELTS class, I turned to my husband and told him that I was not getting up at 3 in the morning to give Caila’s dose of medicine. Instead, I suggested to alter her medication therapy by getting up early the next day and give her dose at 6. It was a lousy plan but having to cut my sleep was the last thing in my mind. I was just dying to get a full straight sleep.

My husband thought otherwise. He volunteered to get up at 3 am to give Caila her dose while I was catching my much needed rest.

That morning, I got a message from him and this was what he wrote:

“Last night just before sleeping, God impressed to me something that changed my view of things and made the task much lighter. He reminded me of SERVANTHOOD "see others first before you see yourself." when you said that you would give Caila's meds in the morning instead of at 3am, I knew you were not up to it because you were feeling down and needed rest. I understood that and so I volunteered but my flesh was also tired and wanted to agree with you to give the meds in the morning. But I felt Caila's cough needed attention and that those meds would help, yet, getting up at 3am would interrupt my comfort zone. So God impressed those words to me and I immediately felt the burden leave me. I felt that I would now do the task for the benefit of Caila even if it meant cutting my rest.

“This morning I felt a burden of handling my small group of rowdy school boys. They are just so difficult to handle and they drain me out. But the Lord reminded me again just like last night "see others first before you see yourself," and just like last night, the burden immediately went away.”

“I share this with you because this might help you out too. love you babe.”

I didn’t see this. In my heart, I knew I was capable of going the extra mile. I have the ability and strength to get up in the wee hours to give my daughter her dose but I decided not to do so.

Upon reading my husbands message, I was reminded by Philippines 2: 3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

I was convicted by the Holy Spirit. As I was going through the study of this verse, I realized the full meaning of it. It says:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…. It was necessary for me to point out those undesirable attitudes. Possessing an attitude of “self-centeredness” will destroy me, my relationships, and the unity in the body of Christ. God brought me back to my desert experience and reminded me that this was the very first thing He wanted me to break. Instead, humility should be my priority in all that I do. It should be uncomplicated to maintain if I kept in mind my own faults and weaknesses and my vulnerability to sin. When humility is lived out, God is glorified.

“Consider others better than yourselves”…. Again, I was reminded to look WITHIN and see my own heart condition with all its faults. I cannot keep looking at the faults of others when I, myself, is loaded with unpleasing attitudes. (Romans 12:10b “in honor giving preference to one another)

“but also to the interests of others”….. If I look at the good side of other people and how valuable they are to God, this should eliminate my problem of "selfish ambition”.

God is continually cutting branches that are not bearing fruit…. It’s painful but I know it is for me to grow and mature so I can bear much fruit for His glory. I thank God for my husband who has shown and reminded me this truth.

Passage reference: Ephesians 4:1-32

I KNOW THE MAN

This poem is dedicated to

my ever true

and loving husband,

Bim

I know of a man
hardworking and strong
whose hands are busy
and works day long.
He stands with a good name
with integrity, not fame
to his children he leaves
a legacy, unblemished.
To model a life of wisdom
for Christ, as he gets older.
I know this because
He is a father.

I know of such a man
who shares the pain
and rejoices when
a sibling has a gain.
He lends a hand
when trouble comes
and will always
be there to understand.
He sees first the other
before his very own.
I know this because
He is a brother.

I know of that man
reflects the heart
of his love for Christ
Who walks in faith
And trusts so deep
His words he always keeps.
He loves the Lord
for Him to hold his dreams
and hopes unfold
and trust His plans.
I know this because
He is a Christian.

I know the man
from God He gave
to one who loves him so.
His words are gentle
and loves so warm
his touch is always fragile.
A best friend, forever
a wise mentor,
and a mysterious lover.
He treats me grand
I know this because
He is my husband.

Crossroads - "The Dash"

This video was forwarded to me by my friend, Loreen. I hope it will bless you too!



I hope you enjoy this as much as I did, and maybe it will help you take life a little slower and with more meaning.

In July 2006, a short 3-minute movie was launched on the Internet called The Dash. Since then, over 40 million people from around the world have watched it; and over 20,000 a day continue to watch it as a result of people passing it along.

The movie has been more successful than we could have ever imagined. More importantly, however, it has inspired many, many people to reflect on their lives and ask that all important question, 'Are my priorities where they should be?'

I hope you enjoy this movie and share it with those who are close to you.

Live the Life You Have Imagined!

Lunch Delight

I have prepared a quick lunch: a combination of green salad with thousand island dressing, chops in hickory sauce and sweet corn soup.

Chops in Hickory Sauce

For the chops, just boil until tender (about 1 hour) in a large pan:

1 kilo port chops (about 8 slices)
1 sprite, 8 oz.
¼ cup barbeque sauce
¼ cup hickory barbeque sauce
1 head red onion, sliced

8 cloves garlic, crushed

freshly cracked pepper
brown sugar
salt to taste

Garnish with fresh oregano and chopped chives.

Viola!

Langka Preserve

Common Names: Jackfruit, Jakfruit, Jaca, Nangka, Langka

Our Jackfruit tree in our backyard has more than double the fruits this year! Last Friday, it so happened that my friend, Tito Manny, also arrived at Ikthus with a basketful of langka fruit for desert! There was more left so I volunteered to make something out of it.

I thought of Langka preserve. I would have wanted to make candies (candied langka) but the weather has not permitted for it will entail sun drying.

The preserve turned out to be really good. Try this recipe:

4 cups shredded langka
4 cups water
4 cups white sugar
1 piece lemon
grated rind of 1 piece lemon
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon

In a large pan with lid, combine sugar and water and let it boil for 10 minutes. Add in the langka, and the juice of one lemon, vanilla and rind. Simmer for another 10 minutes.

Let it stand overnight.

The next day, drain by separating the caramelized sugar and langka. Put the langka in sterilized bottles. Boil the caramelized sugar then add it in the langka preserves and fill up to almost the rim of the bottle.

Let it cool. Line the bottles with wax paper before sealing.

Refrigerate. The preserve is good for 2 weeks only. Great as ice cream topping or mix in special halo-halo, filling in homemade waffles or spread unto buttered toast..

Just Give

Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (NIV)

I have learned that giving is such a fulfilling thing! It was modeled to us by God Himself when He gave His only begotten Son to us to save the world from eternal condemnation. Giving is not dependent on the condition of our checkbooks or the balances of our savings account. Giving is dependent on the condition of our hearts.

Giving shouldn’t be expensive or entail expense. There are many ways to give. Let me share some creative ways to give gifts that are straight from the heart:

1. A homemade gift. Giving something you make represents time and effort invested on the recipient's behalf. Each year, I always make it a point that I make something for Christmas as gifts. It has become a family tradition and we just love the thought of giving something that my family makes. (Whet Your Appetite)

2. A treasured gift. Give something you already have, something that is of special value to you. Not your junk, but your treasure. Don't ask the question, "What can I buy for Anna?" Ask the question, "What do I have that would mean a lot to Anna?" I happen to one time weed out my closet and found treasured curtains that I sewed myself. I asked the Lord to whom I should be giving them and He impressed in my heart the names of people to whom I should give the curtains to.

3. A gift of encouragement. Tell someone what they mean to you. Write it down so they can read your encouraging words several times. Writing it down can help you say it better and requires more time and thought. You can also make a tape or CD of encouraging words and thoughts for those who can't see well or for that hurried mom who spends much of her life in a car. In my journal, I have several notes tucked as bookmarks for special verses; notes of encouragement from my daughter and friends that have kept me on my feet during difficult times. (Daisy’s letter to me)

4. A blind gift. Give a gift to someone you don't know; a gift that is given in Jesus' name, just because you love Him. I recently read an article about a millionaire who sets aside large sums of money at Christmas. Dressed in a disguise, he then walks the streets, pressing $100 bills into the hands of the needy. "It makes my whole year," he says. As for my experience, I am always encouraged to receive a surprise gift like a bar of chocolate from an anonymous giver. My heart just bloats to know that someone thinks of me.

5. A secret gift. Give a gift to someone you know without them knowing who gave it. Give with no hidden motive and with no possible benefit to yourself. Like most families in the ministry, Bim and I are on an extremely tight budget. At several occasions, we had no money for groceries, a fact we shared with no one but God. We wanted to see what He would do. And just as when we needed it, an anonymous giver sends us either bags of groceries or an envelop with money or check in it. God is awesome! We don't know who gave us the gifts but every time I remember them, I ask God to bless them for their secret gift. (“Do You believe in Santa Claus?)

6. A gift of time. When we give thirty minutes of time, we are giving thirty minutes of life. My mother is in her old age and as often as I possibly can, I see to it that my family visits her. Along with Bim and the children, we spend a few hours with her. Our presence means a lot to her and I can see it in her eyes that she treasures our visits.

May you find real meaning in giving by sharing a part of what you are blessed with!

Maranatha,

Enjoy Harmony in Your Home - Part IV

Communicate wisely with your spouse. Share the workload around the house. View each other as the equal partners you are, and seek to bless each other when you do chores, rather than resenting the work you have to do. Forget tradition when dividing household responsibilities; instead, divide them by who’s most gifted to handle what and how much time you each have at home. If your husband is a better cook than you and has the time to cook, encourage him to do so. If your wife can perform house and car repairs and is available for it, invite her to do so. Figure out how you and your spouse’s strengths and weaknesses complement each other. Expect that you’ll each sometimes fail to complete chores on time or well; whenever that happens, forgive and help each other. Whenever you disagree about a job that needs to be done around the house, pray for God to help you resolve the conflict with wisdom. Discover projects you both enjoy and can work on together to strengthen your bond.

Crossroads - "My cup is filled"

It's a cool
clammy morning
I feel the air
breezing,
smell of green grass
my eyes look up
with my empty cup.
A lovely day -
blue skies amass
I lay my Bible
on my lap,
to drink of living waters
to bath in showers
that never rans dry -
pools of streams
refreshes a neck that's wry.
Holy Spirit, it's me, You leadeth,
like a dance
in the heat waves,
my spirit will not waives
or in the desert
my well pollulates.

You bring truth to emptiness

to overflowing

from barreness,

my heart bestowing.

In Your presence

so infilling.

My cup runneth over
surely I drink

and am satisfied -

yet no one knows!

Into my depths

purport sinks.

And so I dance and sing

With my soul, I cling

Unto You, O God

Precious love, You bring.

Living waters,

a real thing.

O glorious God

I wear Your ring

I wish they knew

You are my King!

Enjoy Harmony in Your Home - Part III

Write a family mission statement. Sit down with your spouse to think and pray about setting priorities for your family. Why does your family exist? What is God’s purpose for your family, and what’s your basic approach to achieving that purpose? What are you trying to accomplish as your family’s manager? What core values guide your decisions? What type of atmosphere do you want to create in your home? What type of memories do you want your children to take with them once they grow up and leave home? Realize that if you fail to set clear priorities and build your decisions around them, your family life will likely end up quite different from how you’d like it to be. So write a family mission statement that explains what’s most important to your family, and why. Then keep that mission statement in mind when you make decisions every day, so you can build your choices around what’s most important to your family. Whenever your plans are interrupted by something unexpected happening, pray for God to help you put those interruptions into perspective so they don’t cause you unnecessary stress, and to give you the wisdom you need to respond to them well.