Thank God for Grace!

What is HOPE?  According to Wikipedia, Hope is the state which promotes the belief in good outcomes related to events and circumstances in one's life.

But what if HOPE is no longer an option? 

There is Grace.

Grace is God's unmerited favor.  It is kindness from God we don't deserve. There is nothing we have done, nor can ever do to earn this favor.  It is a gift from God.

The grace of Christ is sufficient;  sufficient to cover our debt, sufficient to transform us, sufficient in the most trying times, and sufficient to help us as long as that transformation process takes.

Grace is not the absence of God’s high expectations.  Grace is the presence of God’s power. God’s grace is sufficient.  Jesus’s grace is sufficient. It is enough. It is all we need. Don’t give up.  Don’t quit.   Keep trying.   Don’t look for escapes and excuses.  Look for the Lord and His perfect strength. Don’t search for someone to blame.  Search for someone to help you. Seek Christ, and, as you do, you will feel the enabling power and divine help we call His “amazing grace”.  We surely need the reminder that whatever we require, however big our lack, how so very great our sin, there is GRACE.   

Grace that is greater.  

Grace that is free.

Grace that saves.

Grace that sustains.

Grace that is sufficient.

Grace that is amazing.

Because Jesus is more than enough and He is able to make all grace abound to you and me.

“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”  2 Cor. 12:9




Color: Purple Wax

When everything else dies in winter, this purple wax flowers in my garden takes grand entrance!  That is GRACE made manifest.  Thank you, Lord!

Of Rainbows 
And 
Sunrise

Winter clouds may appear gloomy and grey
Yet no, that will not ruin my day.
For it no longer usher rain or storm
Enough of the sadness, weary and mourn.

Hello sunrise! You bring forth light -
Oh my, you are such a wonderful sight!
Etched on the sky, the colors of the rainbow
I stop and took you all in, what a view!

In the heavenlies, God’s HOPE is displayed
Oh how pleasant it is, with my heart at ease.
Of rainbows and sunrise or by moonlight skies
Your splendor spread out, O Lord, as You please!

My friend, your sky may be heavy and impervious
Your trials may be lonesome, crooked and mischievous
I pray that may your mountains rise above the clouds
And know no limits, God’s GRACE and LOVE abounds!

I dedicate this poem to a very good friend of mine, JM. This was the view coming home from night shift. The sunrise on the east tells of God's hope and the rainbow westforth portrays of His amazing grace. You are in my thoughts and in my prayers, dearest friend. Be strong. Know that you are not alone in this journey. God be with you!

The
Crazy Things
We do!

Have you ever done anything bizarre for the sake of obeying God?  I have.  In fact, many times I have done mind-boggling things just because I am prompted to do so.

Most often, people think that the out-of-this-world things we do for God may be unacceptable, objectionable  or simply just “crazy”.  However, we haven’t considered the purpose of the instruction.  Have you ever thought that the “crazy” thing could be someone’s MIRACLE?

“Then Mary, taking a pound of perfumed oil of great value, put it on the feet of Jesus and made them dry with her hair: and the house became full of the smell of the perfume.” John 12:1-11.

Jesus is only days away from His crucifixion, and he stops at the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany.  While in this home, Mary came to Jesus with a very expensive jar of perfume and poured it over his head as He was reclining at a table.  In John’s account of this story, she also poured the perfume on Jesus’ feet and washed them with her hair.

The disciples were not happy about Mary pouring this perfume on Jesus, as it was very expensive.  In fact, the disciples point out that the perfume could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money could have been given to the poor.

Jesus, however, was pleased with Mary’s gesture, and said, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”(Vss 10-13)

Mary poured a very expensive perfume on Jesus feet and used her hair to wipe them.  In a common person’s mind, that’s crazy!  But not in Jesus eyes.  Mary did not seem to care that the perfume was costly nor did she mind people criticizing her.  Jesus confirmed that Mary had her priorities straight.  The important thing is, she followed her promptings to obey and serve the one true Saviour!

And God was honored.

Same goes with us.  I hope you wouldn’t mind doing “crazy” things for Jesus.  As we spend more time with Jesus, we will continue to grow and mature in our faith, and we will find that we are better able to serve Him in all that we do.

Color:  Mauve

My flowers blooming in winter! A miracle unfolding!

Dust

In Your

Eye.

A little over three weeks ago, a staff at the workplace offered me a promo of her very own “falsies” business.  “Falsies” is a short term for “false lashes”.  How can I resist a bargain which is a third of its trading price? I thought it was  something I will enjoy.  After all, I work hard.  I deserve such a treat.  At  least  my hubby thinks it’s “sexy”!  

Just yesterday,  I noticed the “falsies” are starting to fall off, one by one.  One got into my left eye.  It was the most agonizing feeling!  I had to shut the affected side as it felt like it was cutting into my eye’s surface!   The one effective trick I learned during  my youth and that is to take the speck out by burying the whole face in warm water. And while my face was in the state of complete submersion, I flicked my eyes open and close several times until the speck had been douched out.

This experience brought me to one of Jesus’ amazing “sermons in the Mount”.  Jesus reminded me that we often pass judgment on others to keep from examining our faults, shame and weaknesses.  Jesus emphasized that before we start removing someone else's sawdust, we had better get our own “blinding plank” out of the way. We spend so much time finding all the little things that are wrong with others while we ignore our own inconsistencies.  Too common, but true, am I right?

Matthew 7: 3-7 says, "Why do you notice the small piece of dust that is in your brother's eye, but you don't notice the big piece of wood that is in your own eye? Why do you say to your brother, 'Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye'? Look at yourself first! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye." You are a hypocrite!  First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your brother's eye.” (ERV)

I pray for the Almighty’s special anointing to convict me and produce in me a holy character and not find the faults of others to keep from dealing with my own.  I hope that is your prayer too.

Keep those eyes looking up, expectant of what God can do in your life today!

Color:  Ash

Video presentation of Jesus at the Mount:

My Women's Small Group

(From left to right:  Irene and Baby Bella, Faith, Jannie, Ysa, Tara, Me and Grace.  Plus the little monkeys:  Bianca and Marge)

Always a blessing to fellowship with my beautiful and lovely women of God!  

Missed those who couldn't make it--- Gel, Tracey, Elim!  See you all girls next meeting!  

Remember:  "Expect the impossible from God!"

On Things Eternal

These are just a few of my spectacles, some bought from different convenience stores, others are prescribed multi-focals or bi- focals.  Why so many?  Because I lose them all the time!   I lose a lot of reading glasses, which means I buy a lot of them as I consider them my one important possession of surpassing utility.

I keep them around the house in various rooms, in all places, so there will always be one handy no matter where I am. I have one by my bedside, one at the car, one in my work bag, one on my computer table, one lying around somewhere, and mostly one suspended above my head!  The moment I reached the age of 40, my eyesight started to dwindle.  I felt like I’m losing a limb.  I feel so disabled not having my reading glasses around.  I am literally blind without it.  Sounds familiar?

I hope not so in our spiritual walk with our Heavenly Father.  I pray that we do not lose hope and sight of HIM.   "Faith is the evidence of things not seen". There are unseen things, as well as things that are seen. There is this vast difference between them: unseen things are eternal, seen things are temporary.

I pray that all of us grow in our walk with God, and that we keep our minds on things above, on things eternal instead of temporal.

2 Corinthians 4:18 says,
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Color:  Glass

The Spring of Winter

The winter comes; I walk alone, 

No bird in sight that  sing; 

For me to keep my heart my own 

The winter is "my" spring. 

No flowers to see--no bees that hum-- 

The coming spring's already come.  

I will love the cold, the slippery road 

 I’ll keep warm in my abode.  

All sacred gifts sent unto us 

Are made by God's own hands - 

And always, they are precious ones 

To love just as He plans! 

While lillies in the valley rest, 

And clad are crystal trees... 

A lifeless day revives the soul 

Through coldness on a breeze. 

These heavenly troves to come our way, 

So beautiful, big or small... 

Will touch our lives through each new day - 

God's gifts... they're best of all!

Head On!

Head on! Quite a mouthful there.  Need I say more?

Australia, the land of dreams and possibilities!

(with the City of Swan Mayor, Charlie Zannino, 

who swore as in as Australian Citizens)

Excitement was building up towards the date:  9^th of April, the day that I will officially be sworn in as an Australian citizen, along with my two girls.  It is a special day, I thought.  So, me and the girls made a whole lot of effort to look our best.

We have been anticipating this day for the last four years, so to say I am excited is an understatement. For some reason ever since I set foot here, I feel at home. I want to live in Australia for good. But when the day came to swear in, along was a striking sense of finality that I now have to relinquish my Philippine citizenship.  Yes, I know I can acquire  dual-citizenship.  But I find this Australian citizenship ‘thingi’ deeply unsettling.

I had asked my second-born son to drive us to the venue as I was a bit stressed out as we were running late.  As I walked into the venue, I felt tears welling up. In my mind, I felt like turning my back and ran away.   My hands were clammy and sweaty, and my feet, wabbly.   I assured myself that I was not going to cry. Before the main ceremony began was a choir of elementary kids from my village in Ellenbrook singing some familiar Australian songs I only hear at school programs and at the local radio.

The simple ceremony began with an introduction of the City of Swan District Officials.  Followed by a short speech by one of the officers who was  previously a naturalized citizen  from Italy in the late 1950’s.  He was recounting his sentiments and something from that speech resonated with me and helped me reconcile my inner turmoil.

I could see clearly that my love for the Philippines is likened to what one feels for a parent or parents? Without them, I am not borne into this world. I owe them my life and I will fight for them! I feel a strong sense of responsibility for them.  That is what I feel when I think of my home country, the Philippines. Yes and true, there’s pollution, poverty, crime, political unrest, among others, but that doesn’t discourage me nor does it change how I feel about my beloved country. Had I not been exposed to all of this, I would never have appreciated what
 I have now.  I choose the Philippines for its colors, exuberance, resilience, culture, spirituality, and most of all, relationships.

Australia, on the other hand, is like the love you feel for a partner or spouse.
 You marry this person and choose to commit to spend the rest of your life with.  God brought us here.  Australia is our portion, our land of inheritance, a land that opened its doors of unlimited possibilities and opportunities I would have never dreamed of.

As I swore in with my right hand on the Holy Scriptures, there was sadness in my heart but I was happy!  Is there such a thing as ‘joyful sadness’?

I am Filipino by descent, The Philippines is the archipelago of my affections. Australia is where I am now and it is where I want to be. 

They say, ‘home is where the heart is’.  I embrace you, Australia.  You have my heart.  I am committed to serve and honor you, and I will partner with you.  Thank you for looking after me and my family. 

Thank you, Lord, for Australia.

Thank you, dear Australia.  The land of dreams and possibilities!

He's got a plan

This is what my side of the woods look like this morning.  A thick fog  was blanketing the main roads with a visibility of about 50 meters.  I had to take a slow ride home.

Then, after a quick brekky, I walked  Little P to school.  The wind was calm and cool.  I can only hear the birds chirping along the way, and a few logs that barricaded our path which posed as a hazard with very limited visibility.  As I started to head home, the fog started to lift up and the horizon, clearing up.  I saw the clouds moving east uncovering the most amazing sky! Then as I glanced towards the valley revealed the lush greenery.  I can see the birds now hopping from one tree to another!  It was a lovely sight!

God’s will is like that.  There’s nothing mysterious about it really, although knowing God’s will takes a bit of understanding and patience.  But I know five things that lead us to the Father’s will for our lives:

Firstly, God leads us through His written Word (Ps 119:105).  You will never, ever go wrong in consulting Scripture.  God’s word doesn’t beat around the bush… it gives you direct instructions where to go.

Secondly, God leads us through the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit (Phil 2:12-13).  Discerning can be a bit tricky  because much of the time we just can't figure it out.  The Holy Spirit leads, prompts, nudges, steers, and all the more compels you to walk on the right path.

Thirdly, God leads us through the counsel of wise, qualified, trustworthy people. No, I’m not referring to palm or card reading, nor am I gearing towards getting advise or hint from the zodiac signs or some guru from Tibet.  I am talking about a person who has proven himself or herself wise and trustworthy and, therefore, qualified to counsel on such issue or matters at hand.

Fourthly, God leads us into His will by giving us an inner assurance of peace
 (Col 3:15).  Doing God's will demands a decision. And that decision requires faith and action. You can't see the end, so you have to trust Him in faith and then step out. You have to act. Faith and obedience are like twins; they go together.  However, I always advise people that if decisions are drawn up without peace, then, most likely it is not from God.

And lastly, Wait.  God’s message could be one of two things, “no and not yet”.  Believe that He will make your paths straight.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jer. 29:11

Color: Fog

iPhone shot.

Foggy this morning.