Thankful Thursday

Thank God a friendship was saved last night!

I was under a lot of or should I say severe stress because of people as well as events that happened since two weeks ago. I was almost always agitated. I was furious of what I thought was being done to me by a friend that thank God our paths didn't cross because I would have probably done something injurious to her. Worst was I had already made up my mind to send an email to someone whom I later found out would cause the whole issue to blow up on my friend's face. Without me knowing, my friend was earnestly praying about our situation. I was too. For some reason, my mind went blank in front of my computer and couldn't collect my thoughts. I believe that was God who stopped me from sending that email.

A common friend bridged our gap until I agreed to talk to her last night. It went well. Issues were cleared. There were some serious miscommunication that lead one thing to another. We forgave each other and prayed together. Our friendship was saved.

Satan almost succeeded in ruining our friendship because of his lies. But God proved once again that Satan has long been defeated and victory is ours through Jesus Christ.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

Faith

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 1:20

Funky Town

I love the Chipmunks especially Theodore!!! They're oozing with cuteness! =D

A Love Letter To Jesus

(I made this letter my own by signing my name in the end. Antedated from Rejoice Ministries.)

Dear Jesus,

As Valentine's Day fast approaches, I think about how sad I am that I will not be sharing it with my beloved. There will be no flowers, no candy, no card. There will be no romantic dinner or endearing talk. There will be no hand-in-hand walks or loving kisses. And this hurts my heart.

But then I call on Your Name and nothing is the same. I crawl up into Your loving arms and feel my heart begins to heal and my soul begins to soar. I feel You pour out Your grace on me. I am warmed by Your Words and strengthened by Your promises. I am touched and changed and made whole again. The heart that was broken and cast aside becomes a heart filled with Your love; a heart that shines with Your light; a heart that is filled to overflowing.

How can I ever repay Your goodness to me? When I was stumbling in the dark, trying to find my way, You sent a light to my path. When I was angry and bitter, You cleansed my soul. When I felt that I could never forgive, You forgave me. When I took a detour road, You gently lead me back. When I fell in my stand, You lifted me up and told me to lean on You. And when I could not take another step, You gently carried me until I was strong enough once again to walk on my own. Oh, how I love You.

Jesus, You have been the best spouse to me. When I was afraid of what my future held, You told me, "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow and the LORD will be with you." (2 Chronicles 20:17) When I was worried about how I was going to live, You said, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:25,33-34)

When I was feeling discouraged and worthless, You told me, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Luke 12:6-7) When I was facing a difficult circumstance that I didn't think I could face You said, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (Isaiah 43:2) When I wanted to give up You told me, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

And, Jesus, remember that time when I said that I could never forgive what had been done to me? That's when you gave me Mark 11:25. "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." And the time when I said it was impossible and You told me in Luke 1:37, "For nothing is impossible with God." Or how about that time when I said his heart is just too hard? That's when You told me, "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 11:19)

Jesus, thank You for being my Wonderful Counselor and Great Physician. Thank You for not giving up on me or on my spouse. Thank You for leaving the ninety-nine to go after Your lost sheep. Thank You for helping me to see my spouse as You do, a child of the King. I am grateful for Your hand in my life and I rejoice in Your present protection and future guidance. I am thankful for Your provision and the hope that You give me.

Oh, and one more thing, Jesus. Thank You for helping me to love again. As You told us in 1 John 4:19, "We love because he first loved us." Thank You for loving me.


Your servant,

Pia

Thankful Thursday

I thank God:

• For my boss. Last Monday, I started teaching my new student. Her name is Karel and she's 22 years old. She's really smart, talented and very compassionate, but she has special needs because of a traumatic childhood. I teach her in the morning and I proceed to my regular job in the afternoon. I worked out that schedule with my boss and glad he said yes. That means additional income for me.
  
• That our move to our new office is done. Glad that we're settled finally.
• For the new hope He's given me. I was so frustrated last week that I had an emotional outburst. Although nothing has really changed when I look at things with my natural eyes, somehow He's trying to get the message across that He's doing something behind the scene.
• For His patience with me and for His forgiveness on my outburst.
• For my friends both here and abroad who never gave up on me, on us, when I almost felt like giving up (again). They kept reminding me how our God is bigger than any mountains I'm facing now. That He can and will turn things around for us at the right time.

Awards

I got these awards this week but because of some things I've been going through lately, I wasn't able to do a post about them right away. I'm so sorry for the delay but here they are now:

First award was from Tey:

I don't really know for sure if I deserve this award but thank you, Tey, for thinking of me. I so appreciate it.

Second was from Sylvia:

"Pia - For Inspiration for her posts of faith, family, friends, and good product info."

Sylvia, thank you for thinking of me for this award. You know what I'm going through now and I honestly feel like I don't deserve this. I hit another rock bottom this week. But I'd like to thank you for your email. Same goes to Mel by the way. Thank you for being there for me. (((HUGS))) Love you guys!

Third, but certainly not the least, was from Renie:

Blessings Award

"I also want my lovely, young blogging friend Pia to have this award. I love to read Pia's blog. She has strong faith, uplifting messages, and is a blessing to her visitors. I hope you enjoy the award, Pia!"

Renie, thank you for thinking of me. (((HUGS)))

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I don't mean to get you confused but I had a really ugly emotional outburst early this week and I did something really offensive to Him. I'm not proud of it. That's why I feel so embarrassed to receive these beautiful awards. I feel like I don't deserve them.

I'm starting to pick up the pieces and get back on track. I'm aware of how much I messed it all up. I was wrong and I'm sorry.

Thank y'all for your kind words and encouragement. I'm deeply humbled. Most of all, thank you Lord for your forgiveness.

Water Has Run Dry

I have nothing else to give...

Yey!

Got an email from Denise. My name was one of those picked for her bookmark giveaway! Thank you, Denise.