PARADISE OR BUST

I used to be so cynical and didn't want to hear anyone talking about God. I thought it was lame.  I didn't understand the Bible so I just got frustrated and stopped.  I said to myself it is easier to be bad than good.  Good is boring and we put in too much effort.  But when trials came along, I felt guilty about calling on God because of my cynicism, why would He even want to listen to me now?  So I had no other choice but to look around me for guidance.  Yes, there were people who cared, people with advice but I quickly realized that they were not as sympathetic with me because they're also human with problems like mine, maybe even worse.  I continued to live this cycle over and over.  I likened it to God trying to send me a rescue helicopter while I was a castaway in a deserted island and I kept refusing to get board to be rescued.


I am positive that this happens to the best of us, perhaps I was not the only one who feels this way from time to time.  What was disheartening at the time was that I was stubborn and wasted my time needlessly worrying about life and the future when the future was already written for me and whether good or bad things happen, there is really nothing we could do but to live our lives for God so that our unwritten life in heaven would be available for us eternally!  Which life would you rather choose?

Until my next rant…. LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

A TIMELESS LOVE LIKE NO OTHER

Two thousand and thirteen years ago, a child was born in a manger.  This was no ordinary baby.  He was the one promised long ago by God, who was the power above ALL, the catalyst to finally reconstruct our broken relationship with Him.  This was Their plan all along.  By “Their” I mean the Three God-Heads.  The “Eloh” (GOD) “im” (plural) God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  All Persons.  

At times I muse on why God the Son was picked to be the unfortunate Godhead to come down and be subjected to the ignorance of the human race?  As a human being and a Christian, I am not worthy to question my all powerful Lord but He understands my heart.  In the Old Testament, God showed proof that He is real.  I mean a sea parting?  A crazy old man building a giant boat?  I can hear their sneers in my own imagination right now!  The people must have called him a kook, a prepper, scroll thumper, etc. just like Christians today are called all kinds of hateful names.  

However, with much understanding as far as my human intelligence can reach, it was for these reasons that the Godheads decided to send God the Son as a sacrifice for the final curtain call on us heathens.  I say heathens because we all ARE heathens.  Anyone who says he or she is not a sinner, just sinned.  I have no course to judge anyone, however, because I believe a sin is a sin is a sin.  Your sin resolution is between you and God.  Not between you, God, and everyone else including me.

God promised the people of the Old Testament that a child will be born and his name is Immanuel which means “God with us”.  Do you know that even after Jesus was born those heathens were still plagued in unbelief?  Thousands gathered round to see His beatings, humiliations, and persecution but still only a percentage of them believed?  

As a human being I could just raised my hands and say, fine, I quit. YOU ALL DIE! Boom!  Plagues and floods and fires!!!  But that’s me, I’m human.  I am not God.  That is why God works in the humblest of all ways, beyond ALL human comprehension.  He does not force us to care.  To care about something as fundamental as our soul.  He wants us to come to Him with all our hearts, with all our might.  He wants us to love Him with a passion that is only for Him.  That is why He sent something, someone as precious as HIS SON, an equally powerful GODHEAD, not just some angel from his staff.  His ONLY Son.  Jesus.  The One who gave up His own life to save those who LOVE Him, with only one request, one commandment.  LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  

Two Thousand and thirteen years ago.  

Until my next rant... You know what to do.

LET YOUR GOOD BE REVEALED

I am a firm believer in the innate good in everyone.  I refuse to accept that one person could be pure evil.  We were all born with a clean slate and as we progressed, the scale of good and bad begin to stack up.  Parental discipline, affection, and love stack the positive side and is conditioned to cultivate good morals, sympathy, compassion, and even love for other human beings.  On the other hand, unconventional practices influenced by peers who were not stacked the the same tend to fill up the negatives.  It is paramount to each child to be conditioned to cultivate his or her strong morals, parental guidance, spiritual teachings of their familial foundation in order to be able to fend off the negative throughout their lives.  

This is by no means an easy task for any young parent.  Physical strength and discipline, although just as important, is second only to good moral, emotional or spiritual character.  It is a great responsibility for one, to, before planning to become parents, know and perfect these ideals because a successful human race is dependent on these fundamental elements.  Good decision making and responsible contributor to the community are what I see rampantly decaying within this new generation.  It saddens me to realize that the very fiber that forms a strong family these days are no longer a priority.  If only  God and His divine teachings were made the center of every family, short of human perfection, it would make for a little less chaos and a more valuation of human lives, human relationships and spiritual strength.

That being said, it is not too late for anyone.  It does however, take a little more work, a little more love, a little more patience and a whole lot of prayers.  But it can be done.  You see, our government, teachers, counselors, community are not responsible to fix the broken, it starts in the home and his or her connection to his or her roots that can successfully do the job.  I guarantee that no matter how much the physical is dolled up,  the inside will eventually make an appearance.  Let us cultivate the good from inside. It is there in every one of us just waiting to come out.

Until my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!  

BEAUTY

Beauty.  The very essence of physical attraction.  Physical beauty holds a certain power in this world of ours.  We use beautiful people for motivation everyday.  There is beauty all around us.  Beautiful people have been known to get away with a lot more than ordinary  or plain lookers.  It is ingrained in each of us since the beginning of time.  Beautiful women drive even the most powerful men to their knees and sometimes even to their demise, physically or morally.  It is a powerful venom that could end up in the hands of an evil heart and send destruction in anything that crosses their path.

Ahhh, yes.  Beauty.  There is, however, an end to the enamoring physical beauty as it may last for sometime but there is another kind that lasts a lifetime and that is inner beauty.  The thing is, when physical beauty is at its peak and inner beauty is not being cultivated at the same time, by the time the outer beauty fades, it is difficult to achieve inner beauty.

You see, we are all beautiful in our own way.  I have met a number of not so beautiful people and by the time I got to know them, I find that the beauty of their hearts emanate and shine through.  Not only was I inspired by their atonement with their inner attractiveness, I aspired to be like them.  Somehow, someway, the outer shell no longer mattered as there was a beautiful aura that envelopes them.

But how wonderful would it be if a person who was not only beautiful outwardly, but inwardly at the same time?  I bet they could influence anyone they wanted to influence with little or no effort.  Imagine the alternative.  A not so attractive person with an even less attractive heart.  So you see for me, it is better to have a beautiful heart that shines inside out rather than have a superficial shine on top of an ugly heart.  The latter having to take way too much effort to achieve.

Till my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

DEATH OF A SEED

How marvelous a humble seed is to hold in its hard shell an embryo containing life?  Do you ever wonder how life usually starts this way?  There is a relationship of a humble seed to the way our world is sustained.  From a shell, which is normally round, like the shape of the earth, like the shape of a mother’s belly before a child is born, human or animal.   Whatever it may be, it carries a life within its protective shell.   The shell sacrifices itself to protect and feed the embryo within so that its life can thrive, grow and continue the cycle of life.  The cycle of life is also a circle, and just like our lives, all of us move in circles or cycles.

The shell of a seed dies proverbially and sacrifices itself for the life of the embryo.  It reminds me of the death of Jesus on the cross sacrificing His life, to sustain ours, to feed ours, so that we may thrive in our lives.   The very essence of His death breathed life into ours and maintains the balance that we need in order to survive and grow into a beautiful life while we soak in the sustenance that will allow our spirits to achieve righteousness (proclaiming that Jesus is THE Lord and Savior) to enable us to enter God’s kingdom.  Everything is relative to this revelation.  Every one of us is a seed that sprouted from Jesus’ sacrifice but if the new growth does not allow the spiritual food that is necessary to grow, those seedlings will die.  It is not difficult to let God in, He is waiting by the door for you to allow Him in your life.

Until my next rant...  LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

LET THE HOLY SPIRIT TEACH YOU

For those of you who read or have read the Bible, do you ever wonder like I do why from Genesis to the Book of Revelation, everything points to Jesus?  Do you ever wonder why this book was even written or why it has been the National Best Seller of all time?  I haven’t read the entire book from cover to cover but whenever a message points to a bible verse, it never ceases to amaze me.  Every phrase, every verse, chapter and story to me is mind-blowing.  Each purposefully cements and confirms the truth about the link between eternal life and Jesus Christ.  Perhaps like me you have asked yourself what am I here for? Or what happens to me after I die a physical death?

God didn’t create Adam and Eve with the intention to fill the earth with humans created in His image and decide to make them imperfect so He can fix us!  That would be so silly of someone as powerful as He is.  He created us to be righteous people like Him and loved us enough so we were given free will. However, satan whom he also created decided that he wanted to be the god so he hit God where it hurt, getting His new creations, Adam and Eve to defy Him just as he did.  So now God is compelled to take His children back.  But because of free will, it did not come as easy for Him because He is not the type of God who forces us to love Him back.

Enter Jesus.  His one and only Son.  The greatest sacrifice any father could ever make for the sake of us heathens.  The death of His only Son, no less.  Not just a beating, or bullying, it was death.  It was death because through Jesus’ physical agony and eventual death, satan’s reign would end.  The story isn’t over folks.  When Jesus died, the Bible could’ve ended right there.  No. It. Didn’t.  Because it is only the beginning.  The beginning of us turning away from our sinful nature, being twice born, becoming righteous.

Righteousness is often misinterpreted as doing the right thing.  It is the biggest misconception of all to think that doing wrong is bad and doing good is righteous.  This misconception is hard to understand when you have not yet allowed the Holy Spirit of God to enter your hearts so He can teach it to you.  I certainly can’t no matter how I try until I am blue in the face.  The HSofGod is the only one that can convict you to do so.  But here goes...  There is nothing worse than doing “good deeds” thinking that somehow when we die God puts our bad deeds on one side of a scale and our good deeds on the other side of the scale and depending on which side is heavier determines whether we go to heaven or hell.  If it was this easy, then what was Jesus’ death for?  What would have been the purpose of our God to allow His precious and only Son to suffer in agony and sacrifice His life for us if there was already a system in place?  It doesn’t make any sense, right?  The biggest, greatest sin in God’s eyes is unbelief.  Not believing that Jesus died on the cross so that we could have salvation.  

So you ask, what was the purpose of Jesus’ death then?  What did He do when He saved us? He changes what we are 2 Corinthians 5:17 This means anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun! The moment you believe on Him, God puts a new nature in your heart, a radical change that people will stand aghast in such a change.  Plus, He forgives what we’ve done.  Every smear, stain and blemish is wiped clean.  Then He gives us what we need (Romans 4:5-6) But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.  David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it. Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.  yes what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin. What do we need?  We need righteousness, God puts righteousness on our account even without works! 

When we are compelled by the Holy Spirit to help others who are less fortunate than us, that is what moves us to act upon it but it doesn’t mean that sort of human goodness be translated into righteousness.  Righteousness is believing that Jesus Christ is our savior  and relying on that belief (faith) to prompt us to become good Christians.  The only sin that causes eternal death and damnation is unbelief.  All the other sins are sins we have committed because we are born sinners and no matter how much we try to scrub ourselves clean, through forgiveness, we can never be throughly cleansed from them because that is who we are.  But understanding our salvation and becoming righteous through the teachings of the HSofGod, you are now heaven bound, for you there is no condemnation and you no longer belong to the tribe that follows satan.  Put your hand over your heart and feel your heartbeat.  That is the only thing that separates you from eternal damnation.  Choose wisely.

Until my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS YOUR SAVIOR THEN LET THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD TEACH YOU HOW TO BE RIGHTEOUS!

ENEMIES OF LOVE

The true secret to our success as humans is Love.  satan relentlessly deceive and pressure us to step out of love by sending us situations that tempt us to stop loving and giving way to the “enemies of Love.”

Ignorance to the devil’s devices make us fall prey to such enemies, so it is critical for us to be aware and keen to such devices.

To do that, we stay on top of God’s Word.  Knowing the difference between staying in love’s path and falling for its enemies is the vital step in the recognizance of such wiles.

More often than not, we don’t realize that resisting temptation is pretty simple.  Simple is not to be confused with easy.  A temptation is merely a presentation of an influence brought into our lives of an opportunity to sin.  We need to step back and recognize such temptation for what it is so that we don’t buy into it before we even realize something is being sold to us.

These enemies of Love are envy (discontent and ill will because of another’s advantages, possessions or success), jealousy (stronger than envy, suspicious, apprehensive of rivalry or resentfully envious.) In Proverbs 6:34 says “jealousy is the rage of a man.”  Pride is another enemy of Love. It is an overly high opinion of oneself, exaggerated self-esteem, or conceit and shows itself in arrogant behavior.  When pride rears its ugly head, we need to recognize it and quickly humble ourselves.  Bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness are also enemies of Love and hinder our happiness especially to those of us who have been hurt or abused.

Take some time to do some serious soul-searching and rid yourselves of such enemies of Love.  Listen to your words and what your tongue unleashes.  It will take some time of course, and we are not perfect, but be mindful in your daily lives.  In order to achieve true success in our relationships, on the job, marriage, etc. make a genuine decision today to start walking in LOVE.  On that note, I have a lot of work to do myself.

UNTIL MY NEXT RANT.... (here we go) LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7  “Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  It does not demand its own way.  It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

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SWEPT AWAY - GOD IS IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM

I struggled all week to find the words to express my deepest sympathy for the devastation that hit my birth country, The Philippines.  It felt like the financial and supply donations was hardly enough to comfort the pain and suffering I’ve seen in the wake of this cruel Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.  The death toll, the sick, the children, the animals and those who have loved ones still missing is simply unimaginable to me.

It really hit home (pun intended) because I remember back when I was still a child living with four other siblings, we were hit by a powerful storm while my parents were on vacation in the U.S.  Our electricity was out for at least a week.  The winds were so strong that our jeep parked in front landed four blocks away by the entrance of our community.  Not only did it go straight to the end of our street but made a turn and ended up there.  My dad’s friends came to bring us food and water.  We were very fortunate that our area wasn't flooded and electricity was restored faster than any other area.  The name of that storm was Yoling.  The intensity of that storm didn’t even come close to Haiyan/Yolanda.  It tugs at my heartstrings, but more importantly, it is the Holy Spirit that gives me that push to help out in any way I can.

For days I am transfixed on this.  Via social media I was able to get information and share them as well.  The help extended by the rest of the world is what was so astounding.  There is your proof that God moves in every way.  The concerted efforts from donations, medical assistance, and the uniting of hearts from love is what you now see.  My heart is overjoyed and overflowing with awe which cements the fact that God is very very much alive in our world.

This morning I opened my bible.  The daily verse that came up was in Joel 2:23 “Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem!  Rejoice in the Lord your God!  For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness.  Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring.”  My human self was taken aback at first.  You should have seen my face.  But then I lingered at the thought and it hit me.  Of course!  Yes, the rains (the storm) hit the Philippines and devastation is all around but we are a people of deep faith.  The Filipino spirit and faith in God is stronger than any storm and they will overcome and bounce back from.  It would be so easy for them to blame God to be subjected to such tragedy but instead they find a way to smile and rise above it, believing that there is a rainbow at the end of the storm.  God is present in Tacloban that not even the stench of death that lingers in the air could kill their hope or spirit.  From it will arise so much more positive testimony that we may never even learn about because there are thousands, even millions of spirits from all over the world who will be touched about the blessings, the grace, the power of God!  Without even knowing it, this will be a testimony that stays with them forever!  PRAISE GOD!!!

Until my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

SHACKLED

The devil has a stronghold on us all because this is his world and he doesn’t bother to break down anyone who lives in his ways and already conquered.  He instead piles the garbage on those who live in line with God or those who are still on the fence. he knows our spirits are easily broken where family, personal lives, friends, and finances are concerned.  Believe it or not, the devil has strength here, this is his territory, his stomping grounds, if you will.  Unfortunately, we were all born of the flesh and live in his world.  However, his power is no match for the one who trumps them all.  But alas, God has given us our own will, and due to His unselfish nature, He doesn’ t impose on it and neither will he force us to love Him.  

We sometimes feel like there is no relief in some of the trials we go through as humans.  We are shackled with no choice but to live in such an imperfect world and subjected to its disdain, frustration, depression and grief.  Have you ever stopped to think if there is ever one time in your life when you were truly happy?  

Isaiah 10:27, “In that day the Lord will end the bondage of His people.  He will break the yoke of slavery and lift it from their shoulders.”   Isaiah talks about Jesus here.  It was the promise of God to us that this deliverer of sins will one day rid us of all of the guilt, shame, defeat, disdain, frustration, etc. that we have been feeling.  Before Jesus, people would offer up animal sacrifices to God and He was a harder God to forgive.  But because of His great love for us, He offered up His only Son as a sacrifice and an atonement for us.  If you break that word down... At-one-ment, it is exactly what God wants to have with us, and at one ment, a best friend.  How could we ever be so deserving of this, when we are such sinners?  Just reverse the situation.  Would you be that forgiving as to offer your own flesh and blood to someone you would like to forgive?  I’m pretty sure the answer is a resounding NO!  That is what makes God so awesome!  It is because HE COULD! AND DID!  For undeserving people like us!  All He ever wants back is for us to love Him!  How unselfish of Him.  Then He goes further as to free us from what holds us back and says, “Your sins are forgotten as far as the east is from the west!”  We all know that the east and the west will never touch each other.  That’s how much he cares about our sins when we ask Him to forgive us.  Unlike the devil who holds on to every negative event in our life and throws it in our face more often that we desire.

Why don’t we finally be free from the shackles that bind us and moves us so far from God’s love by confessing that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, that He died on the cross to forgive our sins and then walk in His path?  It’s easier than you think, but for it to be a success you have to move away from the temptations of this world.  I wish you would if you haven’t already.

Until my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!

DOCTOR, DOCTOR, I AM SICK

Besides being afflicted by a temporary illness such as a cold, the flu, coughing, etc. that is mostly caused by climate, environmental change or just simply catching the bug from another person, most chronic and long term diseases are caused by our own neglect.  Take for instance the big C word.  I have not heard any doctor ever give a person afflicted with this disease a direct cause.  But common sense will tell us, it is caused by abusing and pushing our bodies to the limit that is much more than it can take.  

Some people abuse substances like alcohol, cigarettes, drugs and worse yet, stress and non-forgiveness.  There are other psychological causes as well.

Inasmuch as I strongly agree that if we already have some kind of condition to rely on modern medicine to correct it, I also strongly recommend a  relationship with God to heal our bodies.  Our bodies are much more complicated than we give it credit for.  Our biological system is so intricate that each part, down to the cell, has a function that work so perfectly with each other.  Our bodies are not made to be abused the way we abuse it but it does chug along and tries to keep up with us.

My point is that the power that created the body heals the body.  Say for instance you created a robot and was successful at what you wanted this robot to do.  When it does malfunction, who would be best to know how to fix that robot but you?  It is no different than God.  We are all of His creation and he even went as far as confirming in the Bible that we were made in His image.   It all boils down to the fact that He is the one we need to call on before we even call the doctor unless it is in dire emergency.

I remember back in 2001 when I would get these shooting pains in my stomach.  I had no insurance at the time so going to the doctor would be such a hardship the way they charge.  Furthermore, I don't know if it was going to be some major surgery, so I placed my hand on the spot that was in pain and prayed for God to relieve me of this unknown symptom because I was scared.  I started to take deep breaths, imagining with every inhalation carrying a thick black smoke from the spot, up through and out of my nose and out of my body with every exhalation.  I did this over and over until the pain slowly but surely went away.  After the pain was gone, I thanked God for healing me.  Years later in 2011, I went to the doctor after feeling a mass inside my stomach.  She diagnosed it to be a fibroid so large that it had to be removed along with my uterus and ovary.  I didn't have any pains until then and at this time had health insurance in place.  The bonus?  No more monthly visitors!

Now call it what you want, mind over matter, or whatever you like.  All I know is that the word disease comes from "dis" ease and I know God is my ultimate healer.

Until my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

FROM DEATH TO GOD

The night was still and the darkness swallowed the colorful sights which daylight brings, surrendered to the eerie blackness of the night.  You long for the comforts that a warm and cozy home brings but, alas, left with only the moist chill of the fog that hits your face as you struggle to find your way but your feet are soaked from the wet and unforgiving ground you have to trek. Not able to see the path before you feels like that same chill goes through you penetrating through your body, to your bones and piercing its way through your soul.  A certain fear comes over you and suddenly you hear the howling of a wolf.  A sound that undeniably connects to something that is not of this earth.  You know it lurks but where?  Is it close? Then, before you can even figure it out for sure, a gust of wind sends your already weak body to push even harder through to a destination unknown.  Your determination keeps you from further frailty to seek refuge, somewhere, somehow, away from that place you got lost in, the place you did not intend to be.  Fear creeps up from nowhere and overcomes your very soul and shakes you to the core.  

Oh how you wish someone was there to save you!  But who?  Anyone.  Someone!  If no help came, death is sure to follow.  But for you, death would be a welcome relief.  Death of body, that is.  What becomes of you after death?  Was the situation you were in before the death wish temporary and more conquerable than the one you never saw coming?

Actually, yes, it is.  There is nothing in this world that God cannot handle for you.  The trick (pun intended) is easy.  Instead of thinking about taking your own life, ask God to take over your life and then let him drive you.  You have to be sincere in giving it up though.  As in, don’t even go back and try to fix it when you couldn’t before.

When the foundations are shaking and you wish you could hide, remember that God is still in control.  His power is not diminished by any turn of events.  Nothing happens without His knowledge and permission.  When you feel like running away - run to God.  He will restore justice and goodness on the earth in His good time.

Remember that death by your own hands will deliver you directly to satan.  Don’t let him get a hold of your body, mind, spirit and soul.  he doesn’t deserve you.  You deserve God and His never failing LOVE.  

Halloween does not have to be a negative event each year.  It reminds us that spirits of the underworld is very real.  It is not a celebration of ghouls and goblins but a reinforcement that there is a more powerful God who is there for us, yesterday, today and forever... if we only allow Him to be.

Until my next rant.  LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH WRAP - SOYAMI!!

Ingredients

Butternut squash cut into cubes (i used half only, its kinda hard to cut)

olive oil

1/4 stick of butter

slat

pepper

1/4 tsp chili powder

1tbsp onion soup mix (optional)

1tbsp chopped garlic

1/4 c chopped kale

tortilla, wheat wrap, or whatever you like

Shreaded cheddar cheese

Lite Sour cream

How to:

Cut the squash in cubes set aside.

Heat oil and butter then add the garlic and saute.

Add the squash and seasonings

Fry until golden brown like this:

After that, push the squash to the side and add the chopped kale

Stir and cook together.

Remove from skillet.

Heat the wrap.  I used a flatbread type 

and I heated it in a toaster oven and flipped it to heat the other side.  I spread some cheddar cheese until melted.

Like below.

Spoon the squash on top, add sour cream then clutch.

Soyami!!!

GIVE IT UP THEN FORGET ABOUT IT

I’ve been writing blog posts for almost two years now and I am hoping that you continue to take away something good every time.  Whether you agree with me or not, knowing that it somehow helped in any way would be so humbling to me.  Week after week God has impressed in me what subject to touch up on, but sometimes it’s just me sharing what I enjoy doing because I feel so blessed to be able to do so in this type of forum.  

I am not a public speaker.  I do not feel comfortable speaking in front of any kind of crowds.  So when God impressed in me to share my testimony, I struggled in my search for a way to impart His precious message.  I knew that I had a passion for art and then suddenly, one day, He impressed in me to use it to help in getting more people to a path that leads straight to Him.  So, in obedience, here I am.

Oftentimes, I get passionate about what I write just because that is how passionate I am about the importance of having God in my life.  I cringe whenever I hear someone say after a tragedy that there is no God.  As much as I can understand the sadness one must feel when tragedy strikes, I can’t help but wonder have they really done their part in actually having a good relationship with God, or if they even acknowledge Him at all throughout their lives? 

There is a misunderstanding about humans and tragedy.  Please understand that God does not cause tragedies to happen in our lives.  We don’t cause tragedies in our lives.  Satan on the other hand IS the cause of tragedies in our lives.  I believe that anything good that happens in our lives is God’s doing, and anything bad is not.  God does however, use every tragic event to get us to shimmy a little closer to Him so that He can carry our burdens.  Now why would God, the most powerful being, stoop down to our level so low when we don’t even deserve it.  The answer is simple. That’s how much He loves us.  So much so that He gave up His son so that we can be cleansed from our original sins.  And no matter how much we sin even after we are born again, He keeps on loving us.  All we have to do is love Him back enough to become one with Him.  How dare we blame Him to cause us tragedy.  It doesn’t make sense.  Someone who can forgive us with no questions asked, sins forgotten, that same person cannot cause us sorrow!  It doesn’t make sense.

So the next time a love one dies, or when you see unfortunate people homeless on the street, someone with a terminal illness, or even the problems you face daily, stop and think about it first.  Will you be spiritually mature enough to say yes, this is a challenge facing me today, but I will call on you Lord to help me out because this is a burden I cannot carry, nor can I change.  God said in His Word, give me your burdens and I will give you rest.  Let me ask you, can you look around you and honestly tell me, if there is anyone in the flesh around you, whether they be family or friends, who would ever offer to take your heartache, burdens, tragedy, suffering, etc. so that you didn’t have to bear them anymore?  No one.  Only God.

Until my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

IF I COULD SAVE TIME IN A BOTTLE...

If I could save time in a bottle... as the song goes, I would open up the one from the 50s.  It was a time when most people were still respectful of each other, calling each other by their last names with a title.  Their morality was still intact.  They were polite to each other, kind to each other, but most of all, the vast majority were believers in God. 

It is clear that the world around us has gotten worse since Christ died and it was prophesied to be such.  So as much as we can’t single-handedly change the world, we CAN single-handedly change OUR world.  What I mean by this is that if you are young parents, whether or not you were raised right, you have the responsibility of making a paradigm shift and raise your children right.  By right I mean teach them to be respectful with you, elders (anyone who is older than them), teachers, neighbors, etc.  It would not only help to make the world a better place but also to be good examples to their peers.

Just like an eagle soars by itself, it also depends on its own cognizance to deal with his own life, where he goes to find food, being self-sufficient.  He is unlike other birds who flock together and do exactly what others do in order to survive.  Teaching you children to be their own person will develop their own self-sufficiency with God’s help and guidance.  Teach your kids to call on God not only in times of distress but also in times of plenty and achievement.  Tell them that they do not need to be one with any group especially when there is bad intent.  That they can stand on their own merits and without having to be a follower.

Our world is out of control these days, and the worse is yet to come.  But I don’t think it’s too late for good to win over evil as long as we work in our little circles, one family and one person at a time.

If you don’t have a role model in your own life, look for others that you admire and learn about them and what makes them tick.  Just remember that they were in the same position you were at one point but they rose above it.  Become the leader and not the follower.  Be accountable to God with your own actions, correct what you think needs correction and most of all....

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

SHE DID WHAT? OH EVE!

How different would our world have been if Eve did not taken a bite of that forbidden fruit! God had the perfect life for them.  Had she not disobeyed Him, we would not have to experience death, sickness, hate, pain, sadness, disappointment, etc. 

Have you ever wondered about that?  I have.  If given the opportunity, I would ask her that very question.  But I think that once in heaven, we will be all-knowing, and would not have to ask any questions or even have doubts.  No negative feelings, right?

Be that as it may, we are humans and not immune to negativity in our lives.  We have all disobeyed our parents, spouses, employers, etc. because of our imperfect nature as human beings.  It depends on what we have learned through those mistakes that shape our future.

I often hear the saying, "Insanity is doing something over and over and expecting different results."  I'm sure this phrase is no stranger to you either.  Do we really learn from our mistakes?  I hope so.  There is no sadder story than intentionally hurting ourselves because we made a decision knowing the results were going to be devastating.  

God knows our struggles.  He knows how our lives will be shaped before we even shape them.  I don't know about you but I made a decision to have the All-Knowing God be on my side when I do make decisions.  I always try to make decisions based on the premise that they would be a testimony of who I am as a Christian and/or Godly person.  Am I successful every time?  No!  Of course not, I am still human, not immune to make mistakes.

See, God doesn't expect you to be perfect when you decided to be a Christian.  He KNOWS that you are going to falter sooner or later.  Indeed there are Christians who profess their perfection in plain sight but at the same time those of us who know better understand that they do make mistakes.  Does it matter, though?  No!  It doesn't matter what other people do with their lives, faith, time or relationships.  It is not for us to judge them.  It is not for us to play God and say "oh they should be punished because they are such hypocrites".  We are only responsible for our own actions.  We, as true Christians, have to love them no matter what.  Yes, I said it!  Love them because if we are true followers of Christ, we should mirror His ways.  His ways point to loving EVERYONE!  Once we have figured out how to do this without letting our "human nature" get in the way, then we will be blessed by God and at the same time we bless Him as well.

God points out that if we only love the GOOD people, then we are not really making a dent.  It is when we love the sinners, or the non-believers and help them to learn God's ways, is when we are blessed and the angels in heaven sing our praises.  God is pleased.

What's that you say?  It's hard to do that?  Yes, of course it is hard to do.  However, we don't really win anything by doing something easy, right?  It is hard to forgive your enemies but once you do, then your testimony and Christian living will show through.  It will melt anyone's heart.  We all know that!  So with that, I forgive and love everyone... including Eve.

Until my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!  

IN LOVING MEMORY OF LUKE AND JAGER

On September 28, 2013, a rottweiler and german shepherd were brutally murdered in Brentwood, CA, a town away from mine.  The dogs were reportedly beaten to death with a shovel and later burned and buried in which law enforcement say is within the law.  The dogs' owner sought help in locating her two dogs, Luke and Jager and people from as far away as San Jose made a the trip to assist in her search.

During the search, the came across a man who admitted that he killed the dogs would not give them back and said that the dogs killed his 20 chickens and 10 turkeys but could not show bodies or proof that the dogs had done so.

After beating the dogs with a shovel, the person took the dogs to another location where he worked, dug a hole, poured gasoline on the dogs and burned them.  He later covered the hole and compacted the dirt with the equipment.

Having three dogs myself, this struck a chord in my heart.  Dogs are the most loyal animals to their owners and are blameless.  For this monster to murder these dogs in such a brutal and horrific manner is  so appalling to me!  For him to not show proof of any immediate threat or even proof that these dogs did kill his livestock, beat the poor animals to death with a shovel, burned and buried their bodies, just reinforces to me that he his a heartless, hateful person.  He couldn't even show any injuries to himself for him to back up his story.  If there were two dogs attacking him, one would have caused some injuries to him.

Full story: v=http://eastcountytoday.net/two-dogs-beaten-to-death-burned-and-buried-in-brentwood/

Meanwhile, I was already creating some donations to Friends For Life, an organization headed by Pokey Bolton that was accepting postcard sized fabric creation to sell in their charitable event to raise money for a no-kill animal shelter in Houston. Here is the link http://pokeysponderings.com/2012/09/28/please-take-our-quilt-festival-pet-project-postcard-pledge/

The postcard I created above is in loving memory of Luke and Jager.  R.I.P.

Until my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER, ESPECIALLY YOUR PETS!!

ARE YOU A GOOD EXAMPLE?

It is not a secret our kids mirror everything their parents do first and foremost.  Just think, our kids grow up with the exact same actions, beliefs, opinions, mannerisms, etc. like we do.  Well, you might say, of course, that’s because they inherit our genes!

Actually, yes, there are some factors that are genetic, such as facial features, body type, maybe even health issues.  But have you ever stopped to think what we see in them that we see in ourselves, because of the fact that they were marinated in us 24/7 until they are old enough to go out into the world and acquire other people’s examples?  

Children are very impressionable.  Their formative years are 0-7 years old.  They see and do what we show them and act out in front of them.  Some are positives but I guess you now know what point I am making but I’ll go ahead and say it anyway.  It is more important to show them and act in front of them what and how we would like them to act  and take with them into adulthood.

I will now impart and admit to you what I saw in my kids as they grow into adulthood that I may or may not be so proud of.  

All their lives they’ve seen me always passionate about my opinions about always doing the right thing.  You may say, well that’s not so bad.  Ok, so maybe not to you, but when it is done consistently, we all know that it could be taxing in this day and age when no one else ever cares about doing the right thing anymore.  It is rampant in this world, agree?  So, for a person who feels that others should also do what’s right, it may be very stressful because after all, one person cannot change the world.  So what’s left? I don’t know maybe feelings of defeat, sadness, etc.  Furthermore, I am not perfect, so there are times when even I can’t live up to what I believe.  That’s what makes me human.

What I failed to do because of my own ignorance at the time was to follow it through with prayers.  Teaching them that we needed to have that much faith in God that He will do the right thing and that the hope, healing and restructuring of humanity is not up to us.  The best we can do is to become good examples to others, do the right thing anyway in the midst of decaying morality around us, and impart the righteousness to their own kids, and also to people around them but continuing to pray for those who don’t know any better because they have not seen the right way from their own parents.

It still brings challenge into my life to this day because I did live in a place and time where people were still good to one another, children were respectful to their parents and elders.  When I hear about unruly kids in school, see the news about the ruckus that teenage and even adults cause in my community, I need to learn to pray for God to do something about this.

We have a responsibility to our kids to raise them the right way.  PROPER Discipline is very critical with children because innocence make them push their parents to the brink of anger when they are not consistently disciplined simply because children crave for that structure.  Children will respond to discipline without being physically hurt.  Just remember never to spank with your own hand because they will associate your hand with something negative.

To this day, my kids will now laugh about how I would use my flip flops to THREATEN them of a butt spanking when they act out negatively.  But when they were little, all I had to do was reach for it when they disobeyed and it seemed to work before it even touched them because when I did spank them ONCE and not out of anger but correction, their brain remembered the unpleasant experience.  This is the kind of discipline, very simple and straightforward.  Talking to them like they know what you mean is sometimes ineffective because they are not on the same intellectual level.  Loving and praising them for doing something commendable is important as well.

What is it that you see in you that is predominant in your children?  If you could, would you have done things differently?  If so, would you be bold enough to advise them of the right way to handle things when they don’t go their way?  Would you teach them to give their cares to God and let Him handle them?

Until my next rant..... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!