Today's Scripture
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
God’s system works on the principle of sowing and reaping. Simply put, if you are kind to others, then others will be kind to you. What you sow, you shall reap. When you refresh others, you yourself will be refreshed. That word “refresh” means to restore or revive. When you reach out to others to restore them or offer strength to them, you are planting seeds for your own future. And there are many ways to refresh others—a smile, a kind word. You might buy someone a tank of gas. You could pay for someone’s groceries in line at the grocery store. You could make a special meal for a friend in need. If you ask God to show you how to refresh others, He will. Get in the habit of looking for ways to be a blessing to other people. Have a generous attitude, step out and refresh others. As you do, you’ll reap an abundant harvest in your life, and you will live the life of blessing the Lord has for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for being a blessing to me so that I can be a blessing to others. Show me ways to refresh people in my daily life and help always to honor You in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Refresh Others
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Fight Drug Addiction
My best friend’s son was addicted to methamphetamine. She spent a large amount of money fro the treatment but it failed. In my quest to help her, I browsed on the internet and found this video about Orange County drug abuse treatment. The video is of a former drug addict whose life has been completely changed by the Orange County drug abuse facility. He said that he has been clean for the past five years. He said that upon his graduation from the program his relationship with his family went from bad to best. He was able to put his life into order and is currently doing great. Take a look at his video.
Run by Narconon Vista Bay, a premiere drug and alcohol treatment center, the Orange County drug rehabilitation centers are servicing areas in Fullerton, Anaheim, Brea, La Habra and Tustin in Orange County California. I might as well inform my best friend about this by asking her to watch the video.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Help Others Succeed
Today's Scripture
“Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you” (Ecclesiastes 11:1 NLT).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
God’s system works on the principle of sowing and reaping. What you pour out will come back to you in increased measure. When you give generously, a generous harvest will return to you. When you help others succeed, you will find abundant success on your path, too. What are you investing in the lives of the people around you? Are you helping others get ahead? There are people in your life who hold the keys for you to reach your full potential. These are people that God has placed in your life for you to help along. The higher they rise up, the higher you will rise up. When you give generously of your time, talent, and resources, you are setting yourself up for greater success. People will come across your path that will help you grow and reach your full potential. But you have to do your part to step out and sow the seed. Be on the lookout for ways you can help others. As you give of yourself to help others grow, you’ll rise higher and live the abundant life He has in store for you.
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, I open my heart to Your heart. I invite You to use me to be a blessing in the lives of others. Show me where to invest my time, talent, and resources for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
A Father's Love
I went about my usual Saturday errands when it suddenly hit me. July 19 here is July 18 in the US. Juliana's tatang died on the exact same day as my papa. What a coincidence I said to myself, then I cried. I so miss my papa, imperfect as he was. But I cried more for other fathers out there whose children will have nothing to say or reminisce about when they leave the world.
I stumbled on this video. It is a story of a father's undying and unconditional love for his son. The son told his dad that he wants to join a 5 K run. So they did. Then the son and father gradually progressed to 10K, 26K, 42K then ultimately the nightmare of all triathletes, the Ironman Triathlon. No big deal you might say. Great father-son bonding. Please watch it and be touched.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
In Memory
My 27 year old niece-in-law died. It was a shocker for she was not sick the last time I saw her. According to some hasty reporting, my niece-in-law died of dehydration. She had been experiencing vomiting and LBM. I was so sad for her orphaned little girl, Bianca. She just turned six, slightly older than Ethan. May I ask my dear readers to please pray for Bianca and her dad Benbol. They need peace and acceptance in this very trying time.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Pastor Bob
Pastor Bob has been gifted by God the ability to preach in simple yet powerful Words. Believers young and old can listen to Pastor Bob’s sermons and actually apply the teachings in their lives. Pastor Bob has a series of Sermons called I Want A Better Marriage. The Sermon series is designed for you -young, old, single, married, and divorced- so that you may be prepared to understand God’s plan and purpose for marriage. There are sample sermons downloadable from the site. As a matter of fact, the site is pretty cool what with its MP3, Podcast, Real Audio and Webcast choices. At present, Pastor Bob is the CEO of Horizon Prep and Preschool and currently is in the advisory board of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism. He also hosts his own radio show Testify on KWVE 107.9 FM and KPRZ 1210 AM.
If you are looking for a caring congregation where the word of God is first, you can
find a Church in Rancho Santa Fe - Horizon North County Church.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Strange but True
Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to the church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?
Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?
Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying but..
you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?
Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but
how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or a Harry Potter book?
Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit near the last row in Church?
Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events at the last minute?
Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?
Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say but...
we question the words in the Bible?
Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven but... they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?
Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away, but
when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?
Strange but True. Now what are you going to do about it?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
My Son's Eyeglasses
My son lost his pair of eyeglasses again. This is the nth time he had misplaced it and I'm really getting annoyed. Teenagers! Since he is presently staying in an apartment near the university, I asked him to just visit ZenniOptical.com to browse on incredible stylish new frames from Zenni. My son said he still has the prescription from his last refraction. Great! He can just fill out the prescription form , choose from the variety of Zenni Optical $8 Rx eyeglasses. This would basically save me a lot of time and money. Take a look at the frame my son chose. It's of pure titanium and available in three colors. The company is truly a great find for Zenni Optical was on FOX news! Check it out.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Of Golfballs, Sand and Coffee
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar . . and the coffee .
A professor stood before his Philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed! it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the
jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table
and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty
space between the sand.
The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to
recognize that this jar represents your life.
"The golf balls are the important things - your God, family, your
children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions - things
that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would
still be full.
"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your
house, and your car.
"The sand is everything else-the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first! ," he continued, "there is
no room for the pebbles or the golf balls
"The same goes for life.
"If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will
never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
"Play with your children. "Take time to get medical checkups.
"Take your partner out to dinner.
"Play another 18.
"There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
"Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter.
"Set your priorities.
"The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee
represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.
"It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may
seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
Saturday, July 5, 2008
God's Art
Call it a freak of nature, coincidence or what-have-you. I am simply amazed by these natural formations. God's hand? In all probability!
The Croc
The Bear
Read More......
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Paid in Full
After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.
As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor.'He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.
I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney,a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.
The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him.
As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.'
The prosecutor rose and said,'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman belongs in hell.' He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others Satan told of other horrible Perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.
I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.
As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not Offering any form of defense at all.
I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?
Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This woman belongs in hell, she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.'
When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.
As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty.
I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.!
He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'Hi, Dad,' and then He turned to address the court.
'Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations.
And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished.'
Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and she has accepted Me as her Savior, so she is Mine.'
My Lord continued with, 'Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.'
As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said,
'There is nothing else that needs to be done.'
'I've done it all.'
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down.
The following words bellowed from His lips..
'This woman is free.'
The penalty for her has already been paid in full.
'Case dismissed.'
As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one.' I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?'
Christ lovingly smiled and said,
'Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them
has received the same verdict as you,
~Paid In Full~
