Times Of Refreshing

Dear God,

Please forgive me (everyday). I don't want to do the wrong things, yet most of the time I sin. I'm so sorry, Lord. I feel like I'm Paul in the Bible -- who said he did the things he didn't want to do. Because most of the time, my sins are unintentional. Honestly Lord, I do not want to think that sin is so much embedded in my system, that I automatically start or end my day with it...

Am thinking of those times when everyday, I would give my DS and DD a bath when they were little, because they didn't know yet how to do it. I don't just wash off the dirt and grime I see on their tiny bodies. But as I soap, scrub, and clean them up, I teach them to wash off the unseen dirt and germs that may be left in their bodies, so that they will be totally clean and refreshed.

At the same time, I also remember the times when I often taught them that when we pray to You for forgiveness, it should not only be for the wrong things we know we've done, but also for the things that we may have committed unintentionally.

I realize, Lord, that when we repent and turn to the other way completely, You blot out our sins, our heart burdens are lifted, and we are truly refreshed. Our tired spirits are lifted and renewed. Thank You, for the opportunity You have given us to repent. You never grow tired and impatient, and You are our understanding Father who is always ready and willing to accept and take us back, no matter where we came from.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord
Acts 3:19

★★ The Circle Of Friends Award ★★

I received my very 1st Award from Ruth @ Celebrate Friendship. I am truly honored to receive such an award, and thank God for the blessing of friends even thru cyberspace.

By accepting this award, I will have to share 5 things about myself:

1. I am married for almost 13 years, and am a Mom of two kids -- an intelligent boy aged 11 and a sweet girl aged 7.

2. I love to read books, write in my diary, and maintain a blog in Multiply and Blogger.

3.I like to bead crystal and freshwater pearl bracelets, and give them away as presents to friends.

4. I have Type II Diabetes and am trying hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle -- especially in my diet.

5. I aspire to be beautiful in God’s eyes by praying to Him for help so I can be like the Proverbs 31 woman someday.

May we all continue to share in the bond that God has allowed us to enjoy with one another. To my friend Ruth and the rest of us in The Circle of Friends – Let us all remember, that friends in Christ are friends forever!

I have placed the award in my sidebar, and share the blessing to some of my friends in this blogging site:

Doylene @ A Gracious Home
Ann @ The I-Sisters
Peggy @ The Simple Woman
Kathy @ Blooming in Suburbia
Mama Bear @ Bears in Exile

Give Me A Pure Heart, Lord

Dear God,

I always keep in mind that I am still Your work in progress. By this, I realize also, that I need to have pure thoughts and a pure heart. Only with Your help is this possible. On my own (just between us, Lord), I know I am (most of the time) full of wickedness. I harbor grudges, think ill thoughts about another person, wish someone bad fortune... This is not the kind of Mom I want my DS and DD to see. I want them to see a Mother who has a heart and a mind just like Jesus.

There are days when, I feel like I am experiencing a "spiritual high", and it's easy to think pure, pleasing, good, and upright thoughts, and to walk closely in Your ways. And on some days when I am having some spiritual struggles -- like when DH and I have a fight -- I think of discouraging thoughts, and frustration fills my heart and mind. Isn't it Lord, just the other week, I cried out to You and blamed You for having a not-so perfect marriage... I'm so sorry, Lord. My actions and eventually my words and attitude on things and people around me become affected. I also suffer a lot as my relationships crumble down. I know I can share all my grievences to You because You are my best friend, but forgive me for dumping all the blame on You.

I do not like it when emotions control me, Lord. Please give me the strength to be pure in every situation. I would like to be controlled by Your spirit, and be able to become a light, especially to my DS and DD. Use me to become an example of purity to them, and to be an inspiration in their eyes on how they should be as they grow up and face the world.

The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
Proverbs 21:8

My Guardian Angels

Dear God,

Every time I do my quiet time, Your promises give me a secure and safe feeling. I know I am surrounded by Your love and protection. Sometimes I think of the moments, especially when my DS and DD were still little -- of the times when they felt afraid... Perhaps of being in a new school, or dealing with a rough classmate, or maybe even a strict teacher... I immediately come to their rescue, hold them tight in my arms, and whisper words of assurance and comfort. They snuggle up close, or never leave my side, and their fears disappear. They begin to calm down and relax as their worries fade away. My heart overflows with love and is filled with assurance as I realize that You love me in the same way.

I can never count the times when I have been afraid, or weary, and You sent Your angels to surround and watch over me... I just know that they are there. You were my comfort and protector.

Because I know that You surround me and care a lot for me, I can do the same for my kids. Someday, I also know that my DS and DD will do the same for my grandchildren! What a big, blessed heritage for my family. Thank You, Lord, for the tremendous peace this heartfelt promise brings.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Psalm 34:7

The Simple Woman's Daybook #7

FOR TODAY... Dec. 14, 2009

Outside my window... The sun is shining brightly and the wind blowing gently

I am thinking... Of what spiritual and material blessings we will receive for the year 2010

I am thankful for... The big blessing that DS received yesterday in his Chess tournament -- a Silver medal, praise the Lord!

I am wearing... A pink printed Mickey Mouse shirt-dress

I am remembering... The days when we celebrated Christmas last year, and is ultra excited this year because my Mom is coming home from NJ for a visit!

I am going... To prepare gifts for relatives and friends today with DH

I am reading... My yearly Christmas Gifts tickler to help guide me on what to give DH's relatives this season

I am hoping... That DS will win again in his next Chess tournament

On my mind... A big, rich, cheesy Lasagna for Christmas dinner

From the learning rooms... The kids are starting to relax a bit on lessons because Christmas vacation is on Thursday already

Noticing that... Traffic in the city is getting worse as Christmas day is nearing

Pondering these words... And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. -- Isaiah 40:5

From the kitchen... Beef Mechado, Picadillo Soup, and Sauteed Mung Beans

Around the house... DD is busy preparing surprise Christmas artworks for me and DH (We are not allowed to see it until Christmas day, she said!)

One of my favorite things... Just like I mentioned up there -- a big tray of Lasagna oozing with cheese in between layers and on the top. Yummy!

From my picture journal...


Thanks to Peggy for allowing me to take part in The Simple Woman's Daybook. Blessings and have a great week, everyone!

Plans That Were Based On My Own Strength

Dear God,

Two years after marrying DH, I still remember clearly when I planned on having children of my own. I thought I would be a perfect Mom. I knew I had to make a lot of sacrifices, but that time, I was pretty sure that it would just be easy, because I knew I would love my kids completely. I thought of being super consistent, so that my kids would be the perfect angel kids wherever they would go. On top of that, I had planned too, that I would be the prime example of a loving wife.

Over the years that went, I found out that it was easier said, and easier dreamed than done. In all my prideful and purposeful, and perfect planning, I completely forgot that it takes more than my own strength and self-will to do all those things so well -- especially when a lot of things in perfect parenting are contrary to my very nature! (Yes, Lord, I admit I am still very far from Your vision of what I ought to be, and that I am still a big, big work in progress)

Lord, please forgive me for not turning to You since the beginning... For not asking You to lead me, and for being so confident in taking the reigns solely in planning my life. I definitely need Your assistance if I am going to be a good, but not prideful Mom to my DS and DD. Please help me become more obedient, in allowing You to take the lead, to be my driver and decision-maker in everything I would do. And to trust You more in the blue print that You have prepared for me.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
but rather think of yourself with sober judgment,
in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Romans 12:3

God Is Always Available

Dear God,

Thank You so much because You are never too busy for me. You are always there for me -- ready, waiting, and available. Sometimes that is a bit hard for me to understand, because at times, I can hear myself say to DS and DD, "Wait first, am just gonna finish this..." And it's true, Lord. I really can't be totally available to both the kids every minute every day.

But Lord, You are always willing to hear my requests no matter what the time of day. It doesn't matter if gazillions of other people are bringing their requests like me before You at the same instant. You are God, and You will hear and answer each one of us.

Lord, please remind me that You really do want me to come before You all day long. And please help me to be more available to my own children like You...

Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
Psalm 55:17

The Fruit Of My Lips

Dear God,

Am so sorry for what I have done. Last night in my anger, I said something I shouldn't have. At that moment, I felt right, correct, and justified. But now that I have calmed down and slept it over, I know better. It was a wrong response.

You have said in James 3:10 that blessing and cursing should not come out of the same mouth. How can I praise You in front of my DS and DD after they heard my angry words last night? Forgive me, Lord! I have also asked my kids to forgive me. Please give me the courage to apologize to those I wronged. And please give me a bold heart and an opportunity to do that whenever I do something not pleasing to Your eyes.

Lord Jesus, make my praise a sacrifice to You. Instead of speaking in anger or frustration, I want to fill my mouth with words of continual praise to You. I pray in Your mighty name, that everything I say will glorify You, Lord.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Hebrews 13:15

Nothing Is Impossible With You

Dear God,

Sometimes, I cannot fully imagine it -- in all my short, finite, incapable self... I cannot begin to understand, and comprehend Your powerful hand and unfathomable, mighty ability.

There are many times in my life, when I can see and feel the impossibility of a problem or situation, and in those times, I forget that You are the God of the possible. But why do I have to doubt...? And why do I have to worry and fear...? When all I really need to do is to turn to You alone? In my mind, and as I have my quiet times with You, I picture my DS or DD holding out a hand to me and realize that this is what I need to do: I need to have child-like trust in You.

You know, Lord, when I see how You have lifted me up, and made things work so many times in my life, I want to kneel down in our room, fall on my face before You, and cry out to You in thanksgiving. My prayers have always been answered in so many miraculous ways. In those many times too, when all I could see was darkness and uncertainties, You have provided light, and power, and hope for DH and I. Thank You so much, Lord. I want to always keep that not only in my mind, but in my heart as well, and teach my children that in You, nothing ever is impossible.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible,
but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26

The Simple Woman's Daybook #6

FOR TODAY... Dec. 7, 2009

Outside my window... The sun has set and the cool December breeze fills the room

I am thinking... Of what to give DH's family this Christmas season

I am thankful for... The provision God gave us to be able to shop for gifts this holiday season

I am wearing... A printed pink shirt-dress

I am remembering... What I gave friends and family last year so I won't have the same gifts for them this year

I am going... To complete my Christmas list this week with DH

I am reading... Bait by Karen Robards

I am hoping... To buy a good priced Christmas tree this week because my 13 year old one finally gave up this year

On my mind... Is when I'll be able to go and visit this place in Manila called "Divisoria" to purchase a nice green tree with DH

From the learning rooms... Some Math exercises for DS, and Filipino vocabulary words for DD

Noticing that... The air is getting cooler, making the surroundings feel more like Christmas

Pondering these words... Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. -- Genesis 5:24

From the kitchen... Chicken with Peas, Sinigang Soup, and Mixed Vegetable Saute

Around the house... I can hear my DD finishing her bath in the shower

One of my favorite things... Is sitting on my computer and feeling the cool December air fill up the whole room

From my picture journal...


Thanks to Peggy for allowing me to take part in The Simple Woman's Daybook. Blessings and have a great week, everyone!

In The Midst Of Affliction

Dear God,

Eversince becoming a Christian, I always try to be joyful in the hope that I have found in You, and I have been faithful in prayer, Lord. Yes, sometimes, I do fall and fail, and forget about Your goodness. But always, I go back to You, in Your loving arms, and long for Your welcoming kindness and grace...

It's having to be patient in affliction that is hard, Lord. When I hurt, or feel discouraged, I want the pain to stop immediately -- not after I learned the lesson I need to learn... not after I said or committed the wrong things... Affliction may mean a lot of different things to one person. It may mean despair, hard times, hopelessness, or even sickness. I want to learn how to be in the middle of these things without cracking up, Lord.

Like for instance, I don't mean to snap at the kids. You know that, Lord. Their enthusiasm for life sometimes becomes an irritant to me. Especially that I have Diabetes. Admittedly, having the Type 2 kind can also be very debilitating and limiting. Even their little accidents make me grit my teeth and bite my lips to keep me from yelling. That shouldn't happen, but it does at times.

As I learn to rest in You, Lord, please, please, please renew me. Please, in the mighty name of Jesus, give me the ability I need to be patient, no matter what trouble is around me, and no matter what ails me. Let my joyful hope and my faithful prayers build up my patience as I strive to become the Mom You intended me to be.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Keeping His Commandments

Dear God,

I know that in this life, what really counts is that I have great respect and reverence for You and that I try my best to obey Your commands. If I do that, I won't go wrong, and that includes being a great Mom to both my DS and DD. Lord, You have given me a lot of instruction and guidelines on parenting, and it makes me feel confident to follow You because I am certain that You know what is best for me and my kids. Thank You for constantly seeing the need to include parenting in Your word. Moms like me can always look back and get the assurance that what we apply to our children is right.

You law is fully packed of other ideas that are not specific to parenting, but they can (and should!) also be used in how we raise our kids. Please help me, Lord, to fear and obey You in all areas of my life, for that is in truth, my whole duty in life.

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13

A Mom's Comforting Arms

Dear God,

You have made a mother's tender, loving comfort to be a beautiful and clear illustration of the comfort You extend to Your children. My desire is to live up to that picture...

All these years, and throughout my growing up days, I cannot really begin to count the many number of times You have wrapped and enveloped Your loving arms around me. You have calmed me in the middle of so many fears. A lot of times You have drawn me near to You when I am faced by sorrow, loneliness and tears, and You have given me lasting assurance when I experienced great disappointments in life.

Lord, I want to do the same for my DS and DD. In this harsh world, I know that there will be many opportunities to offer comfort to my children. Please help me to always be there for them to comfort them as You comfort me.

As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.
Isaiah 66:13

Help Me To Be Meek

Dear God,

I believe that You offer a wonderful reward for meekness; but to be honest, I do not know, much less understand, what meekness is. To me, it sounds like it goes over and above so many other character traits like patience, graciousness, gentleness, and many more. But once, I have heard from somewhere that meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control. Restraint. All of these traits seem to fit into the category of gentle strength. I fondly remember using those words 13 years ago, when I was in my own bridal shower, and was asked by one of the ladies to describe my husband-to-be. I described him in only two short words…

Over the years that went by, DH still lives up to that kind of strength. And between the two of us who are Your creations, Lord, You know well that I am the one who needs to be tempered most often… Funny that after all these years, those very words are brought back to me by You! This time, the words, “gentle strength” mean so much more to me now that I am a mother.

In my heart, I know that meekness is really the kind of strength I need as a Mom, isn’t it, Lord? So that I can be strong enough to discipline my DS and DD with love and firmness. If I show them gentle strength, I will be able to help them both as they face sorrow and disappointment, which is inevitable in this life. I do not want a cruel Mom, who displays an angry strength that frightens and intimidates…

Please show me, Lord, how to understand meekness and to have this Spirit-controlled, strength. So that I may be able to show my children what it is like to be truly strong.

The LORD sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.
Psalm 147:6