God, I Chose You

I have been praying for some things and believing God for a breakthrough, but not everyone around me is supportive. Some would just blurt out unkind remarks inconsiderably. The thing is, I'm not even asking or am I interested in their opinions. But just the same, these people just had to put their two cents in.

It's so easy to get disappointed when you absorb all the world has to offer. I've learned that I don't need to accept everything that I hear because if I do, I'd be so depressed. God already gave me His Word regarding the very thing I'm believing for. But that doesn't mean that I'll be spared from all negativity around me. Negativity is here to stay but it's up to me if I'd take it in and permit it to screw my life or I'd reject it the moment it presents itself. The choice is mine.

There are two standards in this world that we can choose to side with - the world's or God's. I chose the latter which sadly is the least popular. But this I believe is the only one that is certain. It is as certain as the sun shining in the morning. I was told this afternoon that I have to make a choice regarding my situation, regarding my personal life. Obviously, this person see things based on how the world packaged it. "Well, I already did," I said. "But my choice is something that isn't acceptable and is unpopular to the world."

God, people around me think I'm crazy for making this choice. But I stand firmly on this decision because You gave me Your Word. I trust You and I believe that my God is a faithful God. That Your Word will never go back to You empty but will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent. May they all see Your faithfulness and may Your name be glorified in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Things To Do

We have a long weekend starting tomorrow. Some would be going out of town, but I'm staying home! So if that's the case, I need to make a list of things to do and make myself a little busy this weekend or I'll go crazy with boredom.

Let's see, I'll wake up at 10 a.m., I'll clean our unit, watch DVDs, have longer quiet time (Oh, God! I need to talk to You about something I did... again!) and yeah, it's Job's birthday tomorrow - Paz's youngest son. What else... Hmm... Hey, that list is just for tomorrow. How about Friday, Saturday and Sunday?

Oh man! this is really gonna be a looooong weekend... =(

Christmas Ornament Exchange

I joined the 2007 Christmas Ornament Exchange hosted by Kathleen over at The Open Window. This, I think, is one way to strengthen the friendship between bloggers and to know each other more which is wonderful, don't you think? I'm really excited to be part of this for the first time this year.

To all bloggers out there, come join the fun! I'm sure it'll be one great experience for all of us.

Here are the rules:

1. The drawing for names will be on the 16th of November. This gives you plenty of time to find or make that perfect ornament. Kathleen will be making a list and each person will be given a number. She will then use Random.org to see who gets who. Once she knows she will email you the name and addy of the person you have.

2. An ornament can hang on a tree or be a decoration on a fireplace, mantle, or a figurine to decorate the lawn. It's your call. If you want to play Santa and include other little goodies as well, that is also your call ☺

3. Once the drawing has been completed Kathleen will notify everyone ASAP. Then the real fun begins. Get to know the person you have drawn - so be sure to check out their website, find out what they like, what they collect, etc... Or you can bless them with something from your neck of the woods, something they wouldn't find where they live.

4. If you would like to participate leave a comment and E-mail Kathleen at kogrone@gmail.com and include your name, address, email addy and blog URL.

Spread the word and enjoy the experience. God bless y'all!!!

Enjoy Your Season

I often hear this phrase - Enjoy your season. I received this same message not just once but countless times from a very close friend of mine. I didn't understand what she meant by it, but I prayed about it and somehow God revealed to me what it meant to enjoy my season. Often times I would stomp my feet out of frustration and blurt out, "I'm tired of waiting! Why are you doing this to me, God?!" Then I would cry buckets. After bawling like crazy, my problems were still there. It didn't go away. Same old frustration would present itself to my face.

We have God's promise and we recieved it with open arms, with praises on our lips. After that we wait. Now that's the hard part, right? It is! But we are sure that His promise will come to pass and we can trust God for it. And before we get to our promised land, how do we wait? Do we wait impatiently and miserably or do we wait joyfully? Now that is up to us.

To enjoy our season is to enjoy the journey He prepared for us to get to our goal. The email I got from Soul Scents said it perfectly.

"You see, I’d been stomping my proverbial foot. Moping and almost giving up on some of the very things I thought the Lord had told me He was doing in my life. When months (even years in some cases) had gone by without my seeing the fruition of the dreams and hopes He’d placed within me, I’d fought that sick heart talked about in Proverbs—the one that is ill because hope has been deferred for so long."

Does that sound familiar?

"There are areas of my life that feel like one LONG detour—winding on unexpected paths, driving over hills I’d never intended to climb, and crossing deep streams."

"On those detours the Lord climbs into the car with us and whispers His love. I think I hear Him saying, 'Relax. Roll down the window and enjoy the ride with me. Relish the adventure of unexpected travel with the One Who loves you best.' It’s in these unfamiliar places that we discover each other more deeply.”

"The Lord already has the destination picked out and He’s choosing the roads. He knows I’ll enjoy the arrival more after I’ve come to know Him as my closest companion."

Let me end this with an encouragement to everyone who's holding on to God's promises -

"The promises God gave me are mine—and in His perfect time, He'll fulfill them. Until then, I’ll seek to live in expectation of those treasures, and enjoy the ride with Him."

Don't give up! Remember, He who promised is faithful.

Help!!!

Can someone help me with FeedBurner please? I tried setting up my feed but it doesn't seem to work. Or maybe it's working but I'm not aware that it is. I'm quite sure it's not working though. HELP!!!

The Bait

It's so conspicuous how the enemy tries to lure me into his traps. He truly lives up to his name - the great deceiver. He tries every tactic he can think of and throws it to my face. I thank God for His grace and wisdom that I can somehow "smell" the enemy's repulsive and stinking stench. I know I have to be very careful because he works double time just to see me fall. I'm sorry to have to play the brain twister game here as to who and what I'm talking about. I need to protect the privacy of the person involved.

Last night, the enemy wanted me to grab his bait by presenting himself as my friend. I knew my friend was used by the great deceiver to trick me into his deception. Sin presented itself as a remedy for a bottled up emotion I've had all this time. The enemy was like saying, "Here, come and get it. You need this." I almost fell into his trap, but thank God I managed to say NO!

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4

God, this is the second time he tried to con me with this and he used the same person to do it. I thank you, Lord, because You saved me from falling into the pit the enemy had prepared especially for me. God, thank you for Your wisdom and Your strength that helped me to stand up for what is right.

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

In God I Trust

Last night my office mates and I went to have dinner at Emperor's in Wilson. While waiting for our food to be served, they started "bashing" me again with their worldly beliefs on how to live life. Honestly, this wasn't new to me. I have gone through this same discussion over and over again. They were so proud in saying that they knew the Bible and yet they live a life that contradicts what's written in it. They were trying to talk me into reacting to my situation according to their standards so as to be "acceptable". They could probably see a big question mark written on my face as if asking, "what on earth are you guys saying?!" Nevertheless, I hope I was able to carry out the message to them clearly that they can't bend my faith in my God.

While I was in the middle of all these contentions, I was reminded of this verse in 1 Peter 3:15-16 which says, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

That same night I was asked by one of them, "Tell me, what's the difference between a wife and a mistress/hooker?"

My jaw dropped! I mean, what kind of stupid question was that??? The answer was so obvious! Notice the mistress (slash) hooker? Let me call the person who made this comparison Mr. X. According to Mr. X, he sees a mistress the same as a hooker. He said for him there's no difference. He also said that he loves his wife very much and his other woman is just his best friend (with benefits). I was like thinking where in hell did you come from??? Can you really hear what you're saying? And you have the nerve to even say you know the Bible?!

And so I told him the difference, as patiently and as gently as I could, but obviously it didn't stop there. It wasn't the answer he wanted to hear. God, how screwed can this person be?

At home, I remembered everything that transpired that evening. I had my quiet time, closed my eyes and asked God for His divine protection upon me and Jec. I may not see the fulfillment of God's promises yet but as it is written in Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Farewell...

It'll be my lola's funeral tomorrow and Tita Jojo's too. I'll be going to the province tomorrow to be with my lola one last time. My prayer goes out to Tita Jojo and her family in the U.S.

The Bitter Taste Of Guilt

If I say that I tasted guilt the other night and it was bitter, literally bitter, would you know what I'm talking about? I did something the other night and I knew it was wrong but I did it anyway. That same night, I came down with a fever and chill. I remembered God warned me of this thing a few weeks back and I ignored it. I was so guilty. I repented right away but I could taste guilt in my mouth. It was bitter. I went to work yesterday morning feeling lousy but went home after a few hours because I barfed everything I ate for lunch. I felt so sick! Last night, my best friend brought me food for dinner. Yep, I barfed it all out again. Sigh...

Lesson I learned - Don't mess up with what you're asking God for. Prayer is so powerful. You think God is not at work behind the scenes and you want to test the waters? Don't even think about it. Now I know how real guilt tastes like. Yuck!

Totally Fabulous

My oh my! What a surprise! I got another award. Thanks, Sparrow, for this fabulous award. =D

Let's see... hmm... I now pass on this blessing to: Paula, Cheryl, Dawn, Kitty and Lorna.

Yep, you're totally fabulous! =D

Goodbye, Lola

My lola (grandmother) passed away the other day at 80 years of age. We are all still in shock. It's as if we're all having a nightmare. I still couldn't believe my lola's gone.

I was typing some stuff in my computer last Sunday at around 12:30 P.M. when my sister called. She was asking me if I was busy and I said YES! I was a bit cranky that time for some reason. She asked me if I could go with her to mom's and I asked her why she needed me to go with her. When she told me lola passed away already and we have to tell mom about it, my jaw dropped. Tears welled up in my eyes. Oh God, this isn't happening. I didn't waste time anymore, I hurried up and went straight to my sister's to go to mom and dad's.

Hours later at my lola's house, I saw her lifeless body on her bed. I held her hand and realized it's true, my lola's gone.

"Lola, we will all miss you. We love you very much and we'll see you again in heaven."

Honorata Vizmanoz Ochengco
January 11, 1927 - October 7, 2007

My Aunt Marita, my mom, my lola and my mom's twin sister (standing) Aunt Rosalina
Pictures taken last December in Singapore

Oh Wow! Another Award!

Ester over at My Daily Thoughts awarded me with this.

How sweet of you, Ester, thanks. Now it's my turn to pass it on to Barbara and Bonnie.

Goodbye, Tita Jojo

I was awaken by a call from one of my husband's aunt early this morning at around 4. Somehow I already knew from my gut that it was about Tita Jojo. I was right! She already passed away. How time flies. So sad. =(

Our God Is Faithful

There's a praise report in the Prayer Room and I remembered I was one of the prayer team members who prayed for "E". I was so encouraged to see God answered one of my prayers. It only means to say that God hears us and He answers prayers!

Early this morning before going to work, I had my quiet time and read my Bible. God lead me to this verse, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9

This verse spoke to me about my mountain and God's promises. Often times I feel like I'm being short changed and I'm missing out a lot. I often wish this mountain I'm facing will soon vanish. Then God, again, showed me that He hasn't forgotten His promises to me. It's just that He's going to fulfill them in His time. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as the verse said.

Did you receive a promise from God that hasn't come to pass yet? Hold on. Don't give up! As Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."