RELAX. BE STILL. LET GO. LET GOD.

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When things aren't happening the way desired ... when feeling so utterly alone and lonely, weak and helpless, maybe hopeless... and making it even more larger than life is this pandemic looming over our heads,  one in seething anxiety and desperation would seek out the quickest now-na remedy to ease the situation. Yup, that's what humans do anywhere everywhere everytime. 

But God reminds us to do just this.......

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

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FAITH IS WHAT WE HAVE

FAITH IS WHAT WE GOT.
COVID-19  ...
WE'LL BEAT YOU YET!!!

FAITH OR FEAR?

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Somebody out there, I know, is struggling with worries, problems, hurdles, challenges and is close to teetering on the so-called 'edge of the cliff of hopelessness'. Life, as we know it to be, is not all sugar and spice and everything nice. Sometimes it can be bitter and ugly and everything bad.

People react to this in a diversity of ways and means groping, stumbling, falling ... but amazingly rising up again and punching back at life even harder than before. Why? Because people are tough. It's in their DNA.

These make up stories of courage, strength, sacrifice, diligence, responsibility, hard work, sorrow, sadness, fear, hope, disappointment, misery, and the fighting against all odds scenario of life. I know; I have my share. But who doesn't?!

But whatever the things people go through it can never be denied that faith plays a huge role in their lives, be it in a small or great measure.

Faith, too, as many would agree is not easy. It can't be bought, haggled for, blackmailed into, coerced, forced, faked, pushed or pressured.

Faith is ---- your understanding of your God. And your response to that.

Be of good faith. The God you trust can be depended upon.

Have a blessed Sunday, friends!
God bless you.
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(Thanks to the internet for these wonderful images of magnificent inspiration.)

OUR PATHS CROSS WITH OTHERS

 

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My thoughts today. Found nothing else as beautifully encapsulated as this one.  It's all there beautifully expressed like none other.

My prayer that God pour out upon you blessings far more than your heart can hold.

MAKE THE CHASE MORE PRODUCTIVE

"You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need." -- Jerry Gillies
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I remember young hopefuls I’ve interviewed for a job before. As I listened they tell me of their frustrations..... that they have so many plans, so many dreams, and yet never seem to know which one is the right one for them. Confused and bewildered they keep on hammering at a wide range of choices believing that the right one will eventually surface and that somehow things will break and they will hit gold. Well, maybe and maybe not. I’m not convinced with that method.
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It’s not always smart to spread yourself thin over a wide range of prospects.... quite unthinkingly. 'Suntok sa buwan' as a local phrase calls it. Besides that will wear you out faster than you can ever recharge yourself after. Pretty soon you will find yourself simply dragging your feet from one place to another with nothing much achieved. That’s a candidate for frustration and disappointment and a waste of precious time and talent – one which you can’t afford to lose.
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On the other hand, I have seen others take on a well-thought out and planned approach. They start out with a well-defined and definite sense of self and purpose..... equipped themselves with the proper education and training..... studied their prospects..... sorted out those which they believed will be a sure fit. They don’t bother with anything which would not fill the criteria they have set down. In such a way they succeed to narrow down the choices to the best of the crop. (This is what employers do, too) Once this has been decided, then and only then do they gear up for the pursuit and journey. Armed with a clearer vision of who they are.... what they have and.... what they hope to achieve thus the chase becomes more productive.
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Amazingly, the required enthusiasm energy and imagination needed to see it through did spring out or burst forth in unexplained measure. Sometimes even surprising one's self. And further down the journey the same enthusiasm energy and imagination would gain even greater momentum as the goal becomes closer and closer to one’s view and reach. This serves to affirm and confirm that you are indeed on the right track.
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Think. Plan. Hope. Believe. Execute.
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"Start believing now that we can be who we are." --- (Anon.)
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God bless you and your dreams.

PRAYER IS A PATH WHERE THERE IS NONE

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Have been reading a book this past few days. A book I have read a dozen times before. Why do I keep coming back to it? Because it IS good. Not only that but also because it is short, only 113 pages composed of 43 chapters... short chapters. I have an array of 'shorties', which I call them, lined up in my mini library. Long stories and thick books have no place in it except for an encyclopedia or a family album. Written in simple English .... (as a rule I shy away from long big complicated words; have always believed that there is always a simpler less complicated way to express yourself verbally or in writing) ..... so simple that if I gave this book to my seven-year-old nephew he would be able to read it in one sitting. Except of course when he needs someone to guide him through the wisdom parts of the book. --
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"JACOB THE BAKER -- General Wisdom For A Complicated World" Author Noah BenShea --- Here in the author's own words is a brief description: -------- "Jacob is a poor but pious baker who lives an anonymous life in a timeless world. While waiting for the ovens to rise to baking temperature in the morning he writes little notes to himself trying to make sense of life. Unknown to Jacob, one of his notes falls into the mixer and is baked into a loaf of bread. It is then sold to a woman, who comes upon the note, reads Jacob’s thought, is dumbstruck and rushes to the bakery to see who wrote it and where it came from.
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Soon word is out that there is a special person in the community who has been ignored, and now everyone near and far comes to see Jacob with their questions about life, prayer, love, family, growing older and…and…Without any sense of hubris, Jacob answers the growing line of visitors with his parables and stories. Even the children come after school and sit on the flour sacks to listen to Jacob."
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Unquote.
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I finished the book in just a few minutes (yes, that short and will pick it up again another time you bet) and went through every piece of wisdom like I was seeing it for the every first time. Wisdom never grows old; we do. And if you are wisdom's good student, it always seems new each time you meet it.
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Like this one on page 36 -- PRAYER IS A PATH WHERE THERE IS NONE
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Is there anyone out there who has not acquainted himself with prayer? No matter your color, race, or creed....... no matter how independent you believe yourself to be....... no matter your titles or string of degrees attached to your name........ whether male, female, young or old, rich or poor........ you have spoken a prayer sometime somewhere there in your life. Probably it was just a sigh, a tear, a whisper, or simply a thought of God when you suddenly find yourself in a place similar to this.....
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"What if neither my heart or mind can help me find a way?"
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And Jacob answered, "Prayer is a path where there is none."
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I end this post with that thought. And I pray that prayer leads you to the path or paths to your dreams... essentially to His Throne. God bless you. Have a pleasant weekend, friends! 

YOU KNOW WHERE THE DOOR IS

 

 

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Life seems to be throwing me lemons these past few days.. weeks... months... (?) The thing is I am a big fan of lemons.... so too its cousin calamansi. With the fruit.....    I make myself a tall glass of ice cold lemonade! Add a bit of honey... and at other times dip in a sachet of chamomile tea.... grab a good book.... find a nice comfy spot on the couch... aaaahhh makes my day!!
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Now with life's lemons...  I would throw a bucket of vile emotions at it. That bucket would be drained empty and dry as all of its contents would be nastily poured out on the object of my fury. Pipigain ko pa kung pwede pa nga eh. Big frustrations, disappointments, letdowns ------- eat me up to the core big time. A certified fiery temper which got me into arguments with kid brother often in our home. But Mom would simply shake her head and say ... 'That, too, will pass.'
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BUT... that was long ... long ago. Oh yes! She was right. Mothers know best.
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This time, I would simply look it straight in the eye and say ----  "You know what, Mr. Life's Lemons.... you know where the door is!".
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Because I have plenty more of sunshine stored away you just can't reach. And a dozen more or so of rainbows squeezed in there somewhere.
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I have learned nothing in life is permanent .. or forever. (Thanks to Mom)  Everything has its own shelf-life.  But that I can always build new dreams, new goals, create new adventures - destinations - journeys, and catch more rainbows to add to my treasure. These things never run out;  you can do it again and again. No shelf-life on this one.
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Here's a little poem Mr. Quote Man sent me today. The message in it is beautifully clear in helping us understand all about life. and its lemons.  To quote.....
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Rainbows would never be rainbows
If sunshine had never met rain
No one would ever need comfort
If there was no sadness and pain
But life holds both sunshine and showers
The days aren't all bright and fair
So look through the showers for the rainbows
You'll always find hope shining there..
-------Unknown
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God bless you!

YOU'LL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CAN DO UNTIL YOU STAND UP AND TRY

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Was changing channels with no idea what I wanted to watch when I stumbled on "Dave". It was running half through the movie at that point. I know because I have seen it for the ___th time having a CD on file somewhere. It was at this scene when President Dave spoke the lines......
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"You'll never know how much you can do until you stand up and try."
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I like that. It should be our battle cry in life.
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We're not junk. God does not make junk. Everything that we need is given us in terms of talent... opportunities... our free will... and life. We're programmed for success. Believe it or not... we are!
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The thing is ....our perceptions of self-worth are so screwed up. Just when did being beautiful, thin-tall-white skinned, being well-connected, having more money, having an expensive car, living in a luxurious mansion, being in a circle of wealthy friends, knowing somebody powerful in high government be the benchmark of success?
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Well, those things have their uses, too, but they don't guarantee success and happiness where it matters most. It matters most when you can look everybody in the eye and say..... this is ME .... imperfect but definitely unique and one of a kind.
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Being me means that you can be anything you want to be and do anything you want to do with who you are and what you have to help better you, your tiny part of the world, or of the bigger world outside. You may not achieve the big successes by the world's standard in your life time but .....you can be the success that which you are to yourself since day one of creation.
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It is what you think of yourself.... or what you actually do.... which truly defines your life on earth. And there is no benchmark to work with. You are your own benchmark. You compete with yourself. You travel at your own pace... at your own time... with your own set of talent.
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And God who sees everything makes sure that you get the corresponding complement of tools that you may be needing to help you along. But you have also to remember to ask Him for those or if you feel that you need more help. Do what you have to do while putting your faith and hope on a God who truly wants you to be happy and successful.
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Further, you can't achieve anything just sitting there on the fence trying to figure out how the universe operates. That's not the way it goes.
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Understanding that, you then can move along confidently to being the big success you were truly meant to be. You will 'soar like wings on eagles' and 'not grow weary or be faint'. By God's design.
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Don't settle for less. There's so much you can do.
Blessings, everyone.

 

 

 

VICTORY IN OUR STRUGGLES

 

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March 29, 2015 - PALM SUNDAY
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Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, according to Christian belief. It marks the beginning of Holy Week and always falls on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. (Unquote)
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Some of my friends say this about its significance in our lives seeing it through their own eyes of understanding i.e. it gets better first before it gets worse... joy always comes with pain... the alternating good and bad, etc.
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If you look at those lines and then look hard into your life, you could say that it's true... negatively true. In some of our life experiences we do get to have a taste of the unsinkable duo -- joy and pain. Then too we ride high on good times and in the next beat of the heart plunge down to the bottom as misfortunes assail us unexpectedly and mercilessly. Just like the highs and the lows of a roller coaster ride. Yup, that's life.
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But it doesn't end there. My friends' interpretation of the significance of Palm Sunday is a half-picture view of the full glory of Jesus' final walk on earth. They could only see the pain and misery of His journey and the sad end on the cross. What they may have missed is that the story continues and ends in full glory. Glory......... magnificence! That magnificence is in Jesus' finishing his job of winning our salvation and winning his rightful seat at the right hand of the Father.
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We're free... sinless! Until our free will (both a blessing and a bane) pulls it down to erratically sin-no sin conditions on this planet. Now....... it's our turn to fight our battles to get back our old glory. A battle being fought everyday... nonstop.
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So I guess the story of Palm Sunday tells us that there is victory over our struggles in life. Small victories or big ones.... victories coming in-between the beginning and the end of our own stories... or victories waiting at the end of our journey.
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Victory. Hope. Faith.
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A blessed Palm Sunday to everyone!
God bless you.

WHERE WILL YOU HAVE YOUR POWER LIE

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Lifted off the book - 'Good Morning... God" - (Pamela Steinke)
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UNHAPPINESS
Philippians 4:11
January 21

  "You must realize that no circumstances in life have the power to make you unhappy, it is only your attitude towards the circumstance, your failure to trust ME in that circumstance that causes unhappiness. Things or situations in themselves have no power over you. You are the one who chooses where the power lies --- whether it be in self, in circumstances, or in ME. Where will you have the power lie?"
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Where will you have the power lie?
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That's a good question, isn't it? .Many of us are so unhappy (C'mon. admit it) --- here in the silence of our souls or in the trappings of discontent that soaks up our being from top to bottom. And which many of us are not ready nor able to answer, particularly those who pride themselves to be self-contained, independent, or self-made. I have learned this that to see the answer one must lift one's gaze or shift one's focus or turn one's head away from the self. It's the 'I' 'Me' 'My' 'Mine' of things which clouds our view from seeing with clarity the answers to questions such as this.
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Let me tell you a story...
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Inday, not her real name, is my laundrywoman. She comes to the house for the weekly laundry schedule. She's a widow in her sixties, struggles to support her adopted child through school, and lives a stark simple life not very far from my place. Yet she can be so happy that she succeeds to rock the whole house with her laughter over the slightest joke she hears. In our chats, I hear no such words as ------- 'I'm so sad I could die' ... 'I'm choking to death with all of these problems' ... 'This phone sucks, I gotta buy a new one.' ... 'I have nothing to wear.' ... 'I have to have those shoes or my day is spoiled.' ... and all that stuff selfie lives are prone to engage in.
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What I hear instead are these ---
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'Sakit ng buto-buto ko pero okay lang. Kelangan ni apo mahatid sa eskuwelahan kaninang maaga.' -- 'Not feeling too well but it's okay. Took grandchild to school early this morning.'
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'Madami akong problema. Minsan di ko alam kung saan ako babaling. Pero andyan naman ang Diyos. Tutulong Siya. Siya na ang bahala.' -- 'I have tons of problems, sometimes I don't know where to turn to. But God is there, he'll help; he'll take care of things.'
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'Minsan nalulungkot din ako. Sana hindi ganito ang buhay ko. Pero kung iisipin ko, mas blessed pa ako sa iba. Kasi eto ako sisenta na at umaaray sa sakit ng mga buto-buto pero...... may konting trabaho, nakakakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw, at nagigising pa rin sa umaga para sa panibagong sikap uli. Salamat sa Diyos!' -- 'I am lonely too. Wishing life wasn't like this for me. But I also think I am still blessed...... look at me at sixty with aching bones, yet have a little job to work at, with three meals a day, and still waking up to a new day every morning for a fresh new start to my life. Thank God!'
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Inday moved her gaze away from her personal pains and set it down on what a beautiful day and life can still be in the midst of it all. This was the source which brought the tiny glimmer to her weary eyes and laughter to her face. She stood ten-feet-tall in her wrinkled small frame as she displayed her trust and faith in the goodness of the Magnificent ONE.
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This was and is the same light and faith we saw in the faces of the crowd in the recent pastoral visit of Pope Francis in the country.
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So where will we have our power lie?
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Blessings, everyone. Seek your power in the Lord.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015 - STRENGTH UNDEFEATABLE

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To quote....
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"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable." ------ Helen Keller, Let Us Have Faith (1940)
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Unquote.
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It is that time of the year .. again .. when we reassess, reevaluate, review, or look back to the year that has passed. The highs and lows of it, its triumphs and failures, its joys and sadness, its successes and bloopers, its dare-do and dare-not, its friends and enemies, its good and its bad. Life!
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There may be things in there which we would like to change ....and then again some which we may hang onto quite stubbornly, whether it be good or bad. And then again some who believe that life is just what it is, that it can't be changed.
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Well, whatever your belief is.... life is what you make it, good or bad. Nobody can tell you what to do with it; nobody has the right to. You are your own author... you write your own story.
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You can make it an adventure.... or an endless chain of excitement.... or an endless round of merriment.... or a pocketful of challenges.... or buckets-full of tears.... or a hopelessly boring one........ The choices are all up to you.
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Savor the triumphs achieved but please don't try to heap blame on things, circumstances, and people when life suddenly turns sour. Because life is all about choices. Even in bad situations you still have a choice. Stand up to the choices you have made and make.
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Life is what you make it.
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Let's look forward to the best year 2015 can be for us all.

  HAPPY  NEW YEAR!!! 

 Be blessed. Stay blessed.

Love you all. 
 Thank you for being with me through all the writing.

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ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS REMEMBER (A repost)

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This piece was written in the blog in 2005. Bringing it here now because a good friend needs to see this.

Blessings, everyone! And again.... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
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How easy to think that life is drained dry of joy when feeling down in the dump. I’ve had those days. It never really goes no matter how you will it to. It keeps coming back to you like a bad dream or an irritating glitz on the face. Bad days are here to stay. I guess it’s there to put some balance in our life like telling us that life can’t be all nice and sunny every time. We can’t have it all as a familiar song goes.
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So then what‘s to do? Walk around with gloom on our faces? Sulk and mope in our room? Drag people down to join us in our misery? Blame everyone and everything for how you feel or for what’s happening to you? Be angry? Isn’t that just how people behave when confronted with a bad day? I do. Yep, I'm like you.
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I had a bad day today. Nothing worked today. Nothing I ever did got me the results I wanted or expected. So I was flustered and upset by it all. I got irked and disillusioned on how the day was turning out to be. It could be better but it just wasn’t. This day is hopelessly gone as far as I‘m concerned.
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But is it really gone? Although it’s so easy to give up and let the bad day have its way, but must I simply give up and just label everything today as ‘spoiled’? Maybe-- just maybe there is a way to tip the scale to my side and perhaps save the day.
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At that particular point, there was a knock on my office door and Glenda walked in wearing a huge smile.
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“It’s Timmy Boy’s first birthday and I’m giving him a party this Saturday. Glad if you could come”, she spoke with undiminished brilliance in her smile.
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Fascinated by her smile, without a second thought I agreed.
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What a remarkable smile! Such a smile one sees in birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, debuts, weddings, graduations-- such joyous moments of happiness, fun, and laughter. I remember such occasions very well and how it filled the hearts with warmth and love all around. I remember enjoying the little one blowing out her first birthday candle on the Snoopy-designed cake; .......the shy smile of a blushing debutante (my daughter) on her first dance; .......the radiant face of the bride, (my niece); .......I remember so thrilled on my daughter's graduation day as I watched her walk onstage diploma in her hands....... -- the wonderful delightful times of my life. I remember them all now.
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That’s how my day finally ends-- with lovely precious memories. Already gone yet its sparkle undimmed and undiminished with each passing of time. Remembering brings back to life the first joys felt then. Golden memories, golden joys. I felt them now. It saved the day for me. All you need to do is remember—it certainly makes your day. Gosh, thank God for beautiful memories.
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DO WE KNOW OUR BLESSINGS

 

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Scruffy, our newest addition to the pack, is a rescue dog who has found his forever home with us. One of my favorite things to do in the house is to sit beside him on the marble floor by the doorway stroking his fur while looking out on the garage and to the street outside. Out on the street it can be so quiet and busy depending on the time of day. But sunset is my special time with Scruffy.

A thought struck me....  Does Scruffy know his blessing? I wonder.

Looking down into Scruffy's eyes I see an affirmation to that. He looks back at me with love and devotion etched right there in his doggie eyes. Love for his forever home. Content and happy. Yes, Scruffy knows and shows it in his doggie ways - the language of his heart and soul.

Do we know our blessing?
In good times it can be so easy to say yes. In bad times, do we even recognize it?

Sitting there with Scruffy leads me to different threads of thought. One is about blessings. Life is truly tough and it tells us in so many ways. I struggled with mine and so did mom before me. But she taught me one simple lesson with this..........

'Look for the blessings. No matter how you feel or whatever you are going through... blessings are there for you.'
 
I didn't always understand that. What I could understand about life was that life is mean, hard, unforgiving, unmerciful. Because it was all that to me. My heart broke into pieces and my soul wearied from the solitary struggle. Yet Mom's words kept haunting me like she was herself pushing me to look for the ... blessings.
 
One day I stood by the window (always my favorite spot), took a deep breath, closed my eyes for a bit second and then opened it again. I saw how pretty blue the sky was... how gracefully the clouds glided by... how so green the leaves on the gently swaying tree tops... how nice and gentle the breeze blew... and how it all gave me joy!

Then it dawned on me what a blessing was. That made me happy.

The next day I was ready to grab another dose of happiness. But things began to happen. Problems, disappointments, frustrations, worries and anxieties, loss of strength courage hope and even of faith.. all came hurtling down on me like a comet at loose careening through space. I hurt and cried.

But mom, bless her soul, pushed even harder.

Once more I stood by the window, took a deep breath, closed my eyes,  and opened it again. I felt tears falling down my cheeks,  I sensed the beating of my lonely heart,  I felt life throbbing through my veins,  I saw the day unfolding still with all of its glory,  I sensed the presence of the Divine......  I was alive! My tears rolled down even more but this time.... with praise and thanksgiving towards a loving and merciful God, my God!

I finally knew what blessing was.

A divine gift ....  to lend us strength, courage, hope, faith, love, joy, inspiration. To help us see beauty where we thought none existed. To see ourselves as an important part of this universe. To see God and His great love for us. A divine gift to reaffirm our importance in God's eyes and heart.

Mom was right. We need not search far and wide for our blessings. It's right there in our day... within us and without... in our lives. All that we need to do is ..... stop -- look -- and listen!

Have a great Sunday, friends. See your blessings with a grateful heart.

DWELL MUCH UPON THE POSITIVES

 

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I love Pamela Steinke's book -- 'Good Morning... God'.  Grow in the faith - We don't only learn this in living life with all of its struggles but we also must seek to learn it from good people and good books. After all God uses a diversity of tools to make us learn about Him or know Him better.

Here's a snippet from that book.....

THE POSITIVES

God:   "Yes, dwell much upon the positives! Let the good things of life saturate your mind; think much about them and do not give thought to the negative. Always think upon the positive. Concentrate upon each blessing until you are filled with joy! Always you have concentrated most upon the negatives of life. Now it is time to learn to fill your thoughts with the good. You are learning to wear the armor of God."

Unquote.

This, I believe, is the formula to how life can be better lived. I have learned that much through the ups and down of my speckled life. Speckled.. is an understatement. If life were a face it would have been one with tons of pimples, acne, freckles, psoriasis, allergies... name anything ugly you wouldn't want on a perceived pretty face... and it's there on THAT face! That was life for me... a bundle of 'I don't need you-I don't want you-I don't like you-but you're here' ugly stuff. It's like some horrendous mean ogre (with his ugly face of course!)  is so obsessed in making my life miserable. I guessed that he too must have read what we have read about 'misery loving company'... and was hell-bent literally on pursuing it with me!

But amazingly it were those same things which gave me my lessons in faith, courage, hope, and positivity. Somebody up there makes a mighty good teacher! You see I had to grow up fast, learn fast but He made sure that I did it the right way. He gently steered me into learning to see with my eyes, mind, and heart the wonderful positive things in the world ... and that it exists even in a speckled freckled life.

But if you're looking for or expecting positivity wrapped in wondrous drama with cymbals and drums making a heavenly noise, nope it's not always that way. Sometimes it's that silent courage you feel in the face of strife which pushes you forward a brave step at a time. Sometimes it's simply a warm sun and a gentle breeze which in some marvelous way lifts the worrisome lines off your weary face. Sometimes it's the chirping of a bird outside your window atop tree branches which opens up your eyes to a lovely glorious day. And sometimes it's the raindrops falling from gray skies which in a precious fleeting moment reminds you that the sun will come out later but it surely will.

Because you know in your heart that you can make it yet and that Somebody up there is keeping watch making sure that you'll be okay. And the joy coming out of that is way beyond measure! Try it to believe it.

Here's the bible reference found in that same book. (By the say, thanks Pamela Steinke. I love your book.)

Philippians 4:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

May the blessings of the Lenten season pour out upon you and your homes.

FOR A BETTER SELF

It's a fine sunny morning and I'm getting more of what I love....  blue skies, green trees, warm sun, and a cool refreshing wind. Thank you!

'Thank you' to WHO or WHOM? Whichever rides well for our Grammar Nazis. But do please carry on; we all got our jobs to do, respectively.

Well, apparently you know who I'm thanking for my lovely day. Not only for the lovely day but for waking me up, feeling good, being in my own home and with my precious family, for food on my table, for clothes on my back, shoes for my feet, and a smiling wallet.... not much in there but enough to make me smile.

There's one other thing I'm also grateful for. 'Life isn't a bed of roses' as an old cliche goes but as I look back now I can honestly say that I'm thankful for the thorns too.

Oh I know that isn't easy. Not easy when you one day find yourself in the midst of a failed relationship, a broken bone, losing someone you love, a misfortune, a broken dream, or just very bad bad people who made life even much more miserable for you.

Now don't use science or intellectualize that pain or suffering. It's not all about  'why me?'  or  'why this?'  because nothing of those will explain it as it was not meant for that in the first place. It's for something bigger... much bigger. By some Supreme Design.

To cut a long story short, as gold is refined through great heat or fire.... so are we. And the point of it all? --- To make us become our better selves. In human history, to get to a point of glory one goes through some conflict, struggle, or strife. That is the same in our ordinary small mundane lives here in our respective tiny little corners of the world. 

Who has not become a --- wiser, more mature, broadminded and understanding, better able to be kind and compassionate towards others, better able to comprehend the complexities of life and people --- after going through an experience of suffering, affliction, misery, conflict, or adversity? Admit it, it opens doors to the mind, heart, and soul. Things you haven't fully understood before is now somehow better understood. Suffering helps us build our character. And that, I believe, is the Supreme Design.

And if perchance that some understanding isn't there yet, well... I hate to say this but God isn't finished with you or me or him or her or them or us... yet.

Still, thank God even through your pain. There's a bigger plan to it. Pray for faith, trust, discernment and understanding.

May the blessings of God be upon you and your families in this Lenten observance and season. God bless you!

 

WORDS OF COMFORT TO DRY PARCHED HEARTS AND SOULS

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Have you been through something like this? ... times when we lack for the right words to say to comfort weary hearts and souls. The heart may connect but frustratingly the words just don't come. And so difficult even when the tables are turned and we find ourselves at the receiving end of it. Words of comfort can fall like rain to dry parched hearts and souls.

So when I get those odd moments, this book comes to the rescue like a soothing balm from the heart of God. And why I love this book. To quote... 'This collection of treasures from the heart of God, was recorded by an ordinary person who cared to 'listen'.

My favorite book 'Good Morning... God', by Pamela Steinke (she lives in a small town in Arkansas with her family)... and these great lines lifted from the book I would like to share with you. May these writings serve as inspiration to your day.

STEP BY STEP                                      2 Cor 11:3; Romans 8:12-13

"Life with Me is so simple. Remember, the simplicity of Christ. Just one step at a time, simply, easily through life we go. A situation arises --come to Me -- how would I have you handle it? Then do as I have taught you. Do not react in the flesh; react in the Spirit. Do not trust your own counsel -- seek Mine. Do not believe or even listen to the lies of Satan. Come to me for truth. Let My Spirit, My very being, totally fill and engulf you.  This is the way to live.  Not struggling in darkness, not languishing in emptiness, not straining against the yoke. But simply, easily, joyfully, in My power --- step by step through life with ME."

HEALING TOUCH                                 Isaiah 53:5

"I am the healing balm for all of life's wounds, all of its pains and sorrows. You have only to come to Me. Sup with Me, share with Me -- open up the hurting recesses of your heart in My presence. The mere exposure to My light is healing enough. There is no sorrow on earth too great for My healing touch. You are My precious child, one I hold so dear, so near to My heart. Bring Me your griefs and sorrows, your hurts and pains, your tears and heartaches. Share them with Me. Then take MY peace, My healing, and comfort back again with you."
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May you be blessed by the healing love and touch of God.
May your day be blessed by the power of prayer.