Lyrics of Better than I from the soundtrack of Joseph King of Dreams

Better than I

From the soundtrack of Joseph King of Dreams (Dreamworks SKG)

I thought I did what’s right
I thought I had the answers
I thought I chose the surest road
But that road brought me here

So I put up a fight
And told You how to help me
Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear

Chorus:
You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go of the need to know why
For You know better than I

If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe knowing I don’t know
Is part of getting through

I try to do what’s best
And faith has made it easy
To see the best thing I can do
Is put my trust in You

(Repeat Chorus)

I saw one cloud and thought it was the sky
I saw a bird and thought that I could follow
But it was You who taught that bird to fly
If I let You reach me, will You teach me

For You know better than I
You know the way
I’ve let go of the need to know why
I’ll take what answers You supply
For You know better than I
__________________

I transcribed this from the VCD because my son requested it.

I love this song too.

Just like Joseph, we must let go of our right to know "why" and just trust God that He will give us the grace to make it through the fire.

Knowing God as your Deliverer

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I was reading Psalm 18, one of my favorite psalms, yesterday. In verse 2 David says, God is my Deliverer.

The Lord showed me that you can truly know God as a Deliverer when you have been delivered. You can truly know God as a fortress when you are under attack. You can truly know God as a shield when arrows from the evil one are aimed at you but they don't hit you.

When we are sick, we come to truly know the Lord as Healer.

When God gives us a spiritual battle to face alone like David did, then we come to truly know the Lord as the Lord of hosts, as the God of angel-armies. Sometimes the Lord sets us up to face things alone or as only a few people, that He may truly show us that "Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." (1 Sam. 14:6)

Sometimes we complain when we have trials. Yet every trial is an opportunity to trust God and to know Him more, for who He is.

Sitting in the Seat of Mockers

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

I just feel so sad that American news channels actually feature the mockery of Gov. Sarah Palin by Saturday Night Live comedians. What is sadder is that some Filipino Christians (non-Americans/non-US residents) join in the mockery and post and send links about Sarah Palin's "bloopers" on their blogs and social networks. For me, this is plain and simple "sitting in the seat of mockers". As an outsider, meaning being a non-American, I think it is hatred disguising itself as comedy. It is also highly partisan, in my view, because they don't satirize the Democratic candidates the way they do the Republican candidates.

Psalm 15:1-5 says:

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

We must not slander others and we should not cast slurs on our fellow man.We must not sit in the seat of mockers. We must not mock others, even if they are of an opposite political belief. We are Christians first, because our citizenship is in heaven(Philippians 3:20).

Makeover 101

Around 1 month ago, My friends, who are parents of students in my kids' school, gave me a makeover lesson. I have not been using makeup regularly though I had a few items in my makeup bag.

They put foundation, blusher, lipstick, eyeshadow and brow definer, and mascara on me. I didn't even know there was such a thing as brow definer! I have had a previous allergic experience to mascara, so I haven't used it in years. I didn't even know how to use a lash curler. Really. Actually, I have long, curly lashes already. But I found out the lash curler does make them look nicer.

I got a lot of compliments that day! My husband didn't notice at first (or he noticed but didn't say it right away), but he also said I looked nice later on. Woohoo! :-) So he didn't sleep "outside the kulambo", haha. ("Outside the kulambo" is a Filipino idiomatic expression dating back to the times when everyone used mosquito nets or "kulambo". When a husband is told "you will sleep outside the kulambo tonight" because he offended his wife for some reason, that would mean he couldn't sleep beside his wife on the bed, but moreso, he would be feasted upon by vicious mosquitoes. All as punishment for the "offense".)

I put on makeup almost everyday now, not because I want to impress anyone or because I'm insecure about my looks. I am not putting on makeup because I fear my husband will leave me if I don't have makeup. There are days I like to look extra nice, there are days I like to have a bare face. I am happy and I feel good about myself with or without makeup. But one thing I have noticed, I smile at my reflection more if I have some color on my face. :-)

As a result of my makeover 101, I bought some makeup I didn't have before: black mascara (I wasn't allergic to VMV Hypoallergenics' mascara, and it is waterproof), brown brow definer (Maybelline), black as well as brown eyeliner (L'Oreal...it was the softest of the mid-price-range ones...and I wasn't allergic to it. I got an allergic reaction to Clinique's eyeliner. L'Oreal also doesn't run.), and pressed powder (VMV Hypoallergenics-this is a high-quality, real hypoallergenic, somewhat expensive Filipino brand developed by a renowned Filipino dermatologist, but available on the internet). I also bought lip and eye makeup remover (The Face Shop, a Korean brand), a lash curler, and a brow comb.

I was able to test some of the products in the store, and then observed them for the rest of the day to see if I had allergies.

I thank God for friends who helped me "bring out my God-given beauty" from my makeover!

Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few

Our pastor, Pastor Jerome S. Ocampo, once shared a sermon about this verse, 1 Samuel 14:6: "Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." Jonathan said this to his armor-bearer. His dad Saul was resting under a tree, right in the middle of a war with the Philistines. The Israelite army, for some foolish reason, decided to have their swords and weapons sharpened by Philistine blacksmiths. Only Saul and Jonathan had swords. But Jonathan, without his dad's knowledge, went to see the Philistines' encampments. Then he told his young armor-bearer,

"Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few."

"Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul."

In the following verses you will read that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were able to kill twenty Philistines, and God sent a panic among the Philistines. 1 Samuel 14:23 says, "So the LORD rescued Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven."

I will never forget what our pastor shared that day. Sometimes we think that what we do is too small, or insignificant. We forget that it is the Lord who saves, it is the Lord who acts. God will save, and nothing can hinder Him. In Isaiah 46:10 God says,

"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."

God's purpose is to save, and He will save whether by many or by few. God asks you: This is My purpose. Are you in or are you out? He will save. Will you participate with Him?

Jonathan didn't rescue Israel, God did. Through Jonathan and his armor-bearer.

One person can make a difference. Even the world with its godless humanism says this. But two persons participating with God in His purposes can save a nation, like Jonathan and his armor-bearer did.

Even one person participating with God can save a nation. Esther was one person who made a difference by participating with God. At first she feared for her life. But Mordecai sent a message to her:

"Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"(Esther 4:13-14)

God would have saved Israel through someone else had Esther chickened out. It wasn't all on her shoulders. But she chose to risk her life for God's people. And she risked it not just once, but twice. And through her the Jews were saved from annihilation.

So it's not all about us. It's all about God. And obedience to His heart. All because we love Him. Because He first loved us.

Postscript to "God Made Me Beautiful"

Lest anyone think that my previous blog entry is "unrealistic", as if it were "all breakthroughs" and "no struggles", haha, I also wanted to share some of the struggles in my mind that went through before and after I wrote the post.

I got a little depressed after the insult incident because I had been recently making an effort to "look beautiful", meaning, I have been putting on my makeup more often, dressing up nicer, etc. Then here comes someone making a coarse joke which struck a bad chord in me because my looks were precisely my source of insecurity. I thought, if I look ugly at my best effort in looking beautiful, then I must be really ugly! All these thoughts started going through my mind. I felt so bad.

Sometimes when we let these bad feelings overcome our thoughts we drown out God's voice of affirmation and assurance. I have a group of friends at my kids' school (our church's school, a Christian school) who are my encouragers. Yesterday, all the bad feelings surfaced again and I cried. I opened up my problem to them. They encouraged me that I am beautiful because God made me as I am. I told them I knew it, but somehow the bad feelings kept coming back. One of them prayed for me.

Throughout the day yesterday I still kept on nurturing my hurt. Then last night I was able to talk to a cousin of mine, who encouraged me with much laughing and some funny experiences. She was able to help me understand my feelings and reactions. She helped me to also understand the offender. The Lord also made me realize that I still had not forgiven the offender. I hated him for hurting me with those words. I told my cousin, you know what, in my mind, when I "rewind" to the scene of incident or "replay" it in my mind, I find myself slapping him or giving him a hard stomach punch. I was thinking of ways of getting back. I realized I was letting the hurt control me and my feelings and actions. I had to get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, and to forgive as the Lord forgave me, as the word of God says.

Through the Lord's grace, I have been able to forgive, and also to accept myself, and now a heavy load is off my heart.

God made me beautiful, and no one can tell me I am not beautiful. They'll have to argue with God! :-)

God Made Me Beautiful

I recently had the unfortunate experience of being insulted by someone because of my physical appearance. The offender made a totally inappropriate, off-color "joke" to my husband, in front of me, to this effect(he said it in Tagalog): "Weren't you with someone else last time? The beautiful and sexy one?" Now I know some of you are thinking, why she should have slapped that *$#?* offender then and there!! She shouldn't have allowed someone else to speak to her like that!! Aside from insulting me, he made a reference to adultery and unfaithfulness.

Well, it's a common joke among non-godly Filipino men, however, this offender had the nerve to say the "joke" in front of me. I am thankful that I was "slow" enough to not get the joke right away... because I thought the offender was going to make a sudden turn-around with a compliment. It was only when we got in the car that I realized I had been severely insulted because there was no "follow-up" compliment. In retrospect, my husband tried to change the topic, maybe he was also confused at what was being said.

Why I am I sharing this on this blog?I am not here to bring out negative feelings toward the offender. I am not here to destroy the reputation of the offender. I just want to encourage everyone with the encouragement God has given me. Maybe what happened to me has happened to you.

After crying out all my feelings and hurts, I asked the Lord to encourage me with His word. The Lord reminded me of Proverbs 31.

Proverbs 31:10 says, "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. "

The Lord spoke to my heart that He sees my character and that is what matters to Him. Proverbs 31:30 says,

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

The Lord also reminded me that I am His creation, I was made in His image, so I am beautiful because God says so. Why would I complain to God why He made me with brown skin, a small, flat nose, and large hips? What the offender said was like telling me straight to my face that I'm ugly. But God formed me how I am. And He made me beautiful. I do not live and will not live to please the offender's taste in beauty. Will I have a nose job, a bleaching job, and liposuction just because he said that? The offender spoke hurting words which hurt to the core. But God has turned it around...he turned around what hurt me by encouraging me to realize that my self-esteem need not be based on what people say to me, but what God says to me.

In the book of Song of Songs, the lover (God) says to the beloved (His bride/Christians), over and over and over again, "How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!" We are beautiful in God's eyes because the blood of Jesus covers our sin. I will listen to God's voice instead of the voice of the ungodly speaking hurting words to me. The beloved in Song of SOngs had self esteem issues.

Song of Songs 1:5-6 says, "Dark am I, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon. Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother's sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I have neglected."

She may be dark, but the lover (God) calls her lovely. Let God speak His affirmation to you. Even if we are not affirmed by others, even by our own parents or husbands, God affirms us. Always. The beloved even said in Song of Songs 2:1 "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys." She was calling herself beautiful! This reminds me of Isaiah 54:5 " For your Creator is your husband-- the LORD Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth." The Lord is our Creator, and only He can satisfy our deepest longings for acceptance, affirmation and esteem. Before He formed us in the womb, He knew us. (Jeremiah 1:5)

God made me beautiful. Therefore I AM beautiful.

Security in the Midst of Distress

Isaiah 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

God is the sure foundation of our times. In the midst of distress, He is the solid rock on which we stand, though storms may come, we will not fall, because the Lord is our foundation.

The context of this verse is a time of suffering, distress and judgment. The destroyer and betrayer had shaken the nations and the people of God were in distress. In verse two, they were crying to the Lord, they longed for Him (not just His blessings, but HIM) . They asked God to be their Strength and their Salvation. They didn't just ask for strength and salvation per se but for GOD HIMSELF to BE their strength and BE their salvation.

In times of distress, whether it is economic, or natural (typhoons and hurricanes), or spiritual/emotional (depression, discouragement), we should lift our eyes to the Lord, who will be the sure foundation of our times. We should long for Him and not just His blessings. His blessings are not the sure foundation for our times. It is God Himself.

Isaiah 33:1-10
1 Woe to you, O destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, O traitor, you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed.
2 O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
3 At the thunder of your voice, the peoples flee; when you rise up, the nations scatter.
4 Your plunder, O nations, is harvested as by young locusts; like a swarm of locusts men pounce on it.
5 The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.
6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.
7 Look, their brave men cry aloud in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly.
8 The highways are deserted, no travelers are on the roads. The treaty is broken, its witnesses are despised, no one is respected.
9 The land mourns and wastes away, Lebanon is ashamed and withers; Sharon is like the Arabah, and Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves.
10 "Now will I arise," says the LORD. "Now will I be exalted; now will I be lifted up."

Psalm 37:37

This is a wonderful verse, and it is easy to memorize the verse number.

In the New King James Version, this is how Psalm 37:37 is written:

"Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace."

Has anyone tried to sell you insurance? Usually the strategy used is fear about the future. "Will you have enough money? What if you die? Will your children be hungry?"

I'm not putting down insurance companies or insurance salespersons here. My husband and I have bought some insurance policies and pre-need educational plans, as part of our setting aside for the future. But sometimes in the effort to sell, insurance salespeople "scare" buyers into getting policies.

One thing I know...my insurance policy is not our security. Money is not the source of my security. I will buy insurance, but I will not be scared into buying it.

Psalm 37:37 is God's ASSURANCE promise... Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace.

God says my future is peace. That means my INHERITANCE from Him is peace, not fear. I don't need a horoscope to tell me that. My God says that my future is peace. It's not something to wish for that we might not have...if God says my future is peace, IT IS.

Better yet, read the entire 37th Psalm. In my kids' Adventures in Odyssey Bible, Psalm 37 has a "subtitle": The Heritage of the Righteous and the Calamity of the Wicked. The whole psalm shows the difference between the righteous, those whose sins have been covered by the blood of the Lord Jesus, and the wicked.

Psalm 37:16-20 says:

"A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.The LORD knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish; and the enemies of the LORD, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away."

Because of the blood of Jesus, I have been made righteous. Because He has triumphed over sin and death, I am more than a conqueror. Because He rose from the dead, I have hope in the face of anything.

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone, because I know, I know He holds the future, Life is worth living, just because He lives."

Psalm 35:1-2 -The Unborn Baby's Prayer

I just wanted to share with all my blogroll friends out there a pro-life picture that I made. I was reading Psalm 35, then the Lord made me realize that Psalm 35:1-2 might as well be coming from an unborn baby's lips.

So I made this graphic. I am not a professional graphic artist, okay. I made it on powerpoint then I took a screenshot of it.

I have posted this picture on our pro-life blogs and other sites.


Here's a Spanish version. I got the verse from the Nueva Version Internacional at Bible Gateway.com

When the Lord Upholds You with His Hand

I have been out of the blogosphere for a long time because I had been undergoing personal and emotional struggles, which by God's grace I have overcome already. I felt I couldn't write anything encouraging on my blog so I did not post for three weeks.

I had been struggling with deep emotional issues of rejection and hurt. I let feelings of hurt overcome me. During this time I would cry to the Lord and ask Him to help me. I felt the Lord allowed this trial to happen so He could minister to my heart and bring me on the road to emotional maturity. I now know the Lord in a deeper way.

One of the verses the Lord brought to mind was Psalm 37: 23-24:

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.

When you feel you are drowning in your troubles and tears, there the Lord upholds you with His hand. Just imagine how big God's hand is. In our weakness, God is strong, holding us up. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 says: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Sometimes it is in our emotional and relationship struggles with people that our relationship with God undergoes a major testing. We are overwhelmed and we begin to get buffeted by the storms and floods. But God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." When we are weak and wobbly, about to faint, God's strength upholds us.

The Lord was trying to show me how my hurts were controlling my thoughts and my life, and He wanted me to release them and learn to forgive and to react more maturely. The Lord breaks us to chasten us, to remove what is not from Him. So we will be more like the Lord Jesus.

One thing we should never do in times of suffering is get mad at God. That is a real stupid thing to do. If we have a sin, we should repent and turn back to God. If we are not in sin, we should trust the Lord in the midst of trials. God is faithful. And He upholds us with His hand.

The Lord understands our suffering more than we can ever know. Isaiah 53:3-5 says:

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

The Lord knows what it is to suffer and be rejected. The Lord Jesus took our sins, sorrows and sicknesses on the Cross, so we don't have to bear the punishment for sin ourselves and to live in sorrow and to live defeated by sickness. By His resurrection He triumphed over sin and death.

Lyrics of Dark but Lovely by Sarah Edwards

Anyone who has ever felt rejected or insecure will be ministered to by this song. Especially if you are dark-skinned like me. Here in the Philippines, we had 400 years of Spanish colonial rule, which has led to preference to fair skin in judging physical beauty. When I was a kid I used to be teased about my dark skin.

But even fair-skinned people can be darkened by sin in their hearts.

Based on Song of Songs 1:5, the song tells of God calling us beautiful, even if we have been "darkened" by sin. The blood of Jesus covers our sin and makes us beautiful and pure in God's eyes.

The Lord calls us beautiful, even if we experience rejection from people. Only the Lord can minister to the deepest longings for acceptance and love in our hearts because He is our God and Creator. In Song of SOngs 1:15, the Lover tells the Beloved, "Behold, you are beautiful, my love! Behold, you are beautiful! You have doves' eyes." Throughout the Book of Song of Songs, the Lover ( God) calls the Beloved (us) beautiful over and over again.

I believe these are the Lord's declarations over us. People around us may fail to affirm us, appreciate us or encourage us, even those closest to us, but the Lord always speaks love over us. As Song of Songs 2:4 says, His banner over me was love.

This is a love song for the Lord...who are we that God thinks of us? yet He has enabled us to love Him back. To love Him for who He is, not what He can give us. To just sit at His feet and gaze at His beauty.
________________________
Lyrics:

I can’t understand this work of grace
How a perfect God would come and take my place
I can’t understand this work of grace
How a perfect God would come and take my place

The stars they don’t move You
The waves can’t undo You
Mountains in their splendor
they cannot steal your heart

This God who is holy
Perfect in beauty
Awesome in glory
Is ravished by my heart

Though I’m poor you say I am lovely
Though I’m dark you say I am beautiful
Though I’m poor you say I am lovely
Though I’m dark you say I am beautiful

Somehow my weak glance has overwhelmed You
And somehow my weak love it has stolen away Your heart

I can’t understand this work of grace
How a perfect God would come and take my place
________________________

You may listen to this song on Sarah Edwards' MySpace profile

This song is from the "Constant" album of Forerunner Music/IHOP. It is available on itunes.com.

Let the Esthers Arise, For Such A Time As This

I wrote this in my pro-life blog for youth. Please pray with us because a population control bill is being pushed in our country.

Esther was a teenager whom God used to save the lives of her people. Not just a generation, but all the Jews in Persia.

Like a fictional genie would, the king asked Esther what she wanted, even half the kingdom was offered to her. But she chose to ask for the king to spare her people from annihilation.

She would have kept quiet if they were to be made slaves and not killed. But they were marked for death, for annihilation.

Haman even promised to put money in the Royal Treasury to carry his evil plan out.

If Esther had chickened out and chosen to keep quiet, some of that money from Haman would have been hers, as she was a queen. And she and her family would have perished.

God had a plan and a purpose to save the Israelites, and He could have used anyone to deliver the Jews in Persia. Esther was not indispensable in His plan. But Esther chose to participate with God in His plan and purpose.

God has a plan and a purpose to save the unborn generation and future generations. Will we participate with God or keep quiet? Esther chose to participate with God.

As a result, the king gave her Haman's estate and she herself wrote the decree that overturned Haman's death decree.

____________

The Book of Esther in the Bible tells of the story of Esther (a.k.a. Hadassah), a Jewish teenager, who was an orphan. It was her Uncle Mordecai who took care of her.

The search for a new queen of Persia led Esther to the king's palace where she became Queen of Persia.

One day an evil man named Haman wanted all the Jews killed because he hated Mordecai. So he tricked the king into signing a death decree for all the Jews by saying there were treacherous disobedient people who needed to be killed.

When the decree was released, Mordecai and all the Jews began mourning and wailing. Esther, in her confinement in the Palace, did not know about this until she sent a messenger to find out why Mordecai had been mourning.

Mordecai sent Esther a copy of Haman's death decree for the Jews. He also told her that Haman had promised to put big money in the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He urged Esther to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

Now Esther knew that one cannot go into the King's presence uninvited, under penalty of death, unless the king extended his golden scepter. She had this told to Mordecai. She feared for her life, because it had been 30 days since the king called her.

Mordecai sent a straightforward message to Esther: ""Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Her Uncle Mordecai's words were enough for Esther to make her decision. She decided to go to the king, even though it was against the law. She had this told to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

So Esther, under penalty of death, approached the king of Persia. But he held out his scepter for her and her life was spared. Having a strategy in mind, she asked the king and Haman, the king's right-hand man to a banquet, which was followed by a second banquet.

At the second banquet, the king asked Esther what her request was. He even asked her if she would like to have half the kingdom, and he would give it. But Esther didn't ask for riches and land and jewels. She told the king, "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life-- this is my petition. And spare my people-- this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king."

The king asked her, who would do such a thing? That is when Esther pointed out that the one who had decreed it was Haman.

The king got so angry. And so Haman's fate was decided.

But Esther did not stop there. The death decree for the Jews had been issued and was still set to be carried out.

Esther risked her life once again and approached the king once more, under penalty of death. This time she pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the death decree of Haman. She said, "If it pleases the king, and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces. For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?"

What did the king do? He told Esther to write a new decree in the king's name in behalf of the Jews.

So here we have an ORPHAN, risking her life twice to approach a king, writing a decree to overrule a death decree because she could not bear to see the annihilation and destruction of her people.

___________________
Right now in our country we have a death decree on future generations being tackled in Congress. It is called the Reproductive Health and Population Development Bill. Foreign finance institutions have promised to put big money in the Philippine treasury if the Bill becomes law.

Let the Esthers arise in this generation, who will not care if they will not have half the Kingdom, who will pray and fast and risk their lives for the Lord, for the unborn generation whom the Lord loves, for their children and for future generations. Let the Esthers speak up, write and issue decrees to overturn the death decrees on their generation.

"Down the Road of Bittersweet" by Karl Kohlhase / Nina's Story

Watch the very, very touching slideshow/music video of this song about parents receiving the news that their baby had congenital problems and how they trust God to walk with them "down the road of bittersweet". when you click on the link, the song will begin to play:

http://www.k4communications.com/karl/bittersweet.html

Lyrics:

We had some good news and some bad news on a cold November morn
The test confirmed that we were parents, but there was something more
Our little boy had complications, and we were frightened as could be
But we decided to go walking down the road of bittersweet

The next nine months we grew together, somehow closer than before
And our faith began to blossom into something more
We would hold each other close and pray, then cry ourselves to sleep
We knew that God was walking with us down the road of bittersweet

Jesus, take my hand and walk beside me
And make my footsteps firm beneath my feet
I know You’ve gone this way before so guide me
I’m not alone as I go walking down the road of bittersweet

The room was filled with apprehension on the day that he was born
But when I took him in my arms I knew there was so much more
There was a bond of love between us, and I was never more complete
I never knew I’d find such blessing down the road of bittersweet

The doctor said we may not have much time before we’d have to part
So I treasure every moment deep within my heart
Soon we’ll have a little angel, praying for our family
I’m just glad I got to meet him down the road of bittersweet

Jesus, take my hand and walk beside me
And make my footsteps firm beneath my feet
I know You’ve gone this way before so guide me
I’m not alone as I go walking down the road
I’m not alone as I go walking down the road
I’m not alone as I go walking down the road of bittersweet

Words & Music by Karl Kohlhase

© 2006 karl kohlhase

Written for Prenatal Partners For Life

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am writing this post in response to my older sister Aileen's tag in her blog. In other countries, congenital malformations are reasons for abortion. Here in this video are parents who CHOSE LIFE for their little babies. My own sister(my younger sister) had a baby with severe congenital malformations incompatible with life, several years ago. They found out during the fifth month that Nina, my niece, had a genetic disease due to an extra chromosome. They had a routine ultrasound, and just like the people in the song, they found out there was something wrong with her heartbeat, it was too weak. After an amniocentesis, they learned of the diagnosis. Nina had several heart malformations that made her heartbeat weak. It broke their hearts. They were in the U.S. and the doctor had to suggest abortion or "termination of the pregnancy" as they called it, by law. Terribly heartbroken, they called us in the Philippines. I remember telling my sister back then, "you know, as long as Nina is in your tummy, she will live because her circulation is through the placenta, through the umbilical cord". MY SISTER AND BROTHER -IN-LAW CHOSE TO HAVE NINA and she carried Nina to term, up to 9 months. They reasoned that if my niece will live while she was in the womb, they will shower her with love all those 9 months in the womb. Their OBGYN doctor in the U.S. fully supported their decision to keep the baby .And the OBGYN was one of those who was crying along with them when my niece was born. At 9 months my niece was born, but she only lived for 1 1/2 hours. BUT SHE WAS WORTH IT ALL.

My sister has one beautiful baby in heaven, and after Nina's passing away, she now has three more beautiful kids on earth.

In our pro-life ministry, I have had several opportunities to share (with my sister's permission, of course) Nina's story. Many have been blessed and touched by Nina's story, and I pray young people will never think of abortion as an option when they hear it. And more often than not, listeners are moved to tears as I share her story. Nina's story is a story I went through as an aunt, and I want to say I am proud of my sister and brother-in-law, and of Nina.

Every Trial is an opportunity to trust God

Once my 7 year old son Brian asked me with much sadness in his voice," Mommy, why isn't God healing me?" He has some allergies and he has colds several times a year. He asked me this because he had colds again.

With the Lord's leading I answered, "Don't say that,anak(my child). God is going to heal you. God always answers prayers when we pray according to His will. Every sickness is an opportunity to pray to God and ask Him for healing. And we will experience God's healing in time and we will rejoice and praise Him when that happens. Every sickness is an opportunity for God to show His healing power in our lives."

That conversation taught me a valuable lesson.

'Cause the very next day my doctor told me her diagnosis of the chronic illness she suspected I had. As I felt the world cave in around me, the Lord spoke to me the very words I spoke to my son the night before---every sickness is an opportunity to trust God for healing.

I said, "Lord, you didn't make me sick but you allowed it to happen for a reason. If this is going to break me to bring me closer to you, I welcome it. If You allowed it, you will also give me the grace to stand up under it."

That was a little less 9 months ago. I am nearing the end of my medication regimen for the chronic illness.

Indeed I have seen the healing power of God in my life and I rejoice as I receive this healing from the Lord.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

By God's grace I am now beginning to understand, even in my limited, finite understanding, the depth, width, and height of the love of Jesus Christ for me. God has brought me even closer to Him after this illness. Now I understand God's grace even more through what I have experienced. Thank You Lord Jesus!

God is bigger than anything. His wisdom is far above anything on this earth. His loving kindness reaches to the heavens.

There is no one like God.

______________

I wrote this on September 25, 2006. By October I was completely healed. God is faithful even in times of sickness. Even if we get sick, and even if we will die of our sickness, God is faithful. Sickness cannot separate us from the love of the Lord Jesus. We always have hope whatever situation we are in because the Lord Jesus rose from the dead and conquered sin and death. We always have hope because God does not change and His love for us is so deep, so wide, and so high, more than we could ever comprehend.

P.S. My son's colds don't occur that often anymore, praise God! He knows that God answers prayers!

In Recession or in Prosperity, I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength.

A pastor-friend, whose sons are my kids' schoolmates, shared yesterday with our breakfast club group that when one preaches on giving (tithes and offerings), the verses used must be studied in context or within the context of the verses before and after and with the teachings of the Bible.

For example, he said, the verse "for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap"(Galatians 6:7) is not about giving but is about doing deeds that "sow to the flesh" which reaps corruption or deeds that "sow to the Spirit" and reaping life everlasting. But the verse "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously"(2 Cor 9:6) is really about giving.

While reading the Bible, I began looking at Philippians 4. The Apostle Paul had some words for the Philippians concerning their giving physical support to him. Philippians 4:14-19 were about Paul telling the Philippians how their gifts had helped him and that he was not asking for more from them but encouraging them that God considers their gifts as a fragrant offering. And Paul declares that God will supply all their needs according to His glorious riches.

As I was reading through Philippians 4:10-20, the Lord showed me that the context of our favorite memory verse, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13), was in the context of the Paul describing his economic situation. He said " I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances... I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.... I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

To apply the verse in my life, I replaced some words with some contemporary terms: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances...I know what it is to be in an economic crisis, and I know what it is to have lots of money in the bank... Or: I know what it is to pay 17 pesos per liter of gas(in 1997), and I know what it is to pay 60 pesos per liter of gas(2008)." Yet I will say: "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want...whether the economy is in recession or not...whether we are paying a loan or not.... I can do everything through him who gives me strength. "

Right now my husband and I are buying a small house. We have a downpayment to pay up to January, and the balance will be paid for by a 10-years-to-pay bank loan. Gas prices in the Philippines are at 60 pesos a liter (it's more expensive than the US, it's around $5.50/gallon, since we do not have our own supply of oil). We are trying to save and lessen our expenses, but I don't feel sorry for myself when I am scrimping. I also don't try to live a luxurious lifestyle. I don't maintain a high standard of living, because it would be harder to live simply when economic problems hit. By the Lord's grace, He has given me a humble heart...He has given me grace to be content and not complain. And by His grace and wisdom, I can say, like Paul. "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.... I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:10-20
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;
16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Refrigerator Magnet Collection

Souvenir shops exist because of people like me.I always buy souvenirs whenever I go to other provinces in the Philippines or other countries.

When we went to the U.S. for a vacation in 2006, we were able to visit many cities, and of course, I bought souvenirs. I even bought souvenirs when were in-transit at the Honolulu Airport and the Minneapolis Airport.

Our favorite souvenir to collect is the refrigerator magnet. They are lightweight and therefore easy to stash in one's carry-on luggage. We also collect souvenir coffee mugs but sometimes they are too expensive and bulky, so we buy the magnets instead.

Here is our magnet collection that is on the side of our refrigerator. We live in a small townhouse, so the side of the refrigerator faces our dining table. I try to keep the magnets organized but sometimes the kids play with them, making the magnets talk to each other(yep, they have creative imaginations!), lining them up differently, and as a result, inadvertently dropping them. So if you look at the magnets closely, some have chipped edges.

This picture is a little dark, so click on the image to see the names of the cities/places on the magnets. Our favorite verse is not a magnet but it is held up by magnets.

"I feel like a millionaire!" (One Night in the Lap of Luxury)

We are used to staying in inns and hostels and ordinary hotels...so being in a 5-star hotel was a unique experience....as my younger son Brian said as he stepped into the room..."I feel like a millionaire!" Hahaha!

Thanks to my generous sister and brother-in-law, who gave us a gift certificate for Christmas for an overnight stay (weekend) in a Superior Room at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel ,right in the middle of the Central Business District of Metro Manila, we got a taste of luxury. For no apparent reason, we were upgraded to a Deluxe Room on the 27th floor...woohoo! We stayed there June 7 to 8, 2008.

I thank God for the stay at the hotel. But in the midst of all that finery, I always remembered Matthew 6:26-29: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."

Five-star hotels are nothing compared to Solomon's splendor. Yet the Bible says that Solomon's splendor cannot compare to God's provision.

Here are some pictures of the night in the lap of luxury:

Above: Clowning around on the king-sized bed

Above: The one standing up is the son who said "I feel like a millionaire"

Hahaha! A fake magazine cover--just for fun! I sent this photo to
my sister and brother-in-law when I thanked them for their gift.

Lyrics of No Sacrifice by Jason Upton

To You I give my life
Not just the parts I want to
To You I sacrifice
These dreams that I hold onto

Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice, here's my life

To You I give the gifts
Your love has given me
How can I hoard the treasures
That You designed for free?

To You I give my future
As long as it may last
To You I give my present
To You I give my past

This is such a beautiful, beautiful song. We give our lives to the Lord, not just the parts we like to give. That's how my relationship with the Lord was before...I cordoned off parts of my life to the Lord. They were off-limits to God. Those parts of my life led me to rebellion and backsliding, away from the Lord.

But since the Lord rescued me from the pit and brought me back to Himself, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Recycling Those Starbucks Plastic Cups

On the rare occasions that I go to Starbucks or Seattle's Best (I really think expensive coffee is a luxury and an unnecessary expense for me) , I bring home the plastic cups they serve the cold drinks in. Why? The cups are sturdier than the cups fast food restaurants serve their sodas in. They are made of thicker plastic. Uses: You can use the cups for drinking cold liquids, for containing water for cooking, or for holding water to be used for brushing your teeth. If you have retainers or dentures, you can soak them there. ( I place my retainers in a Starbucks plastic cup when I need to "park" them. I just got my braces removed. )

P.S. I found another use for the "grande" plastic cup I brought home. Here in the Philippines most households have a water pail and a dipper in the bathroom. So when the dipper in the bathroom of my parents' house went missing, I told my son to just use the Starbucks plastic cup as a dipper. (This was an emergency, OK.)

Dental Floss: Stronger than Thread

My Mom uses dental floss (unused, okay) on darning and hemming jobs on bedsheets, pillowcases, bags and on other things that undergo more wear and need a stronger alternative to ordinary sewing thread.

So when one of the stitches on my umbrella failed, the one that connects the umbrella fabric to the ends of the wire frames, I took out a needle and some dental floss to reattach the umbrella fabric. Voila! The umbrella's back in business.

I also used dental floss to fix the popped stitches on my husband's leather cellphone case, which he attaches to his belt. So that saved us a little more than a hundred pesos. (A little more than 2 US$.) :-)

The Excellence of the Lord Jesus

“Christianity is not a system of morals but the worship of a Person.”- William E.H. Lecky, historian (1838-1903).

Have you ever meditated on the excellence of the Lord Jesus? Read through the following verses and let the Lord open the eyes of your heart that you may understand the greatness of our Lord.

Who is the Lord Jesus? He is the Son of God. He is the Heir and Lawful Owner of all things, by and through Whom God created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time. He is the sole expression of the glory of God, the perfect imprint and very image of God’s nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. Yet, consider what He did for us- He offered Himself through His death , accomplishing our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt. Through His rising from the dead, He sat down at the right hand of God, taking a place and rank different from, much superior to and more excellent than any created angel. In Him all things hold together. From Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things.

Hebrews 1:2-4, The Amplified Bible -In the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of God's nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high, taking a place and rank by which He Himself became as much superior to angels as the glorious Name (title) which He has inherited is different from and more excellent than theirs.

Col 1:15-18 NIV He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Romans 11:36 NIV For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.

Jesus’ throne is forever and ever. His scepter and throne signify His power and authority. He remains and continues permanently; He remains the same, and His years will never end nor come to failure. Stability in life can only be through standing on what does not change. If we stand in Christ, we are believing on what is eternal. There are so many philosophies in this world that exalt men, systems, beliefs, the universe, created things. But all these are like grass which withers. Everyone who has ever opposed Christ will one day bow his knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In schools, influential teachers, “experts” in their fields, may try to sway students with secular, atheistic, humanistic ideas. But we must stand fast in the Lord Jesus. And stand fast in the word of God. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and strongholds that set themselves up against the Lord Jesus.

Hebrews 1:8-12, The Amplified Bible- But as to the Son, He says to Him, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever (to the ages of the ages), and the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of absolute righteousness (of justice and straightforwardness).You have loved righteousness [You have delighted in integrity, virtue, and uprightness in purpose, thought, and action] and You have hated lawlessness (injustice and iniquity). Therefore God, [even] Your God (Godhead), has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and beyond Your companions.And [further], You, Lord, did lay the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the works of Your hands.They will perish, but You remain and continue permanently; they will all grow old and wear out like a garment.Like a mantle [thrown about one's self] You will roll them up, and they will be changed and replaced by others. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end nor come to failure.

Isaiah 40:8, NIV- The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

Philippians 2:9-11,NIV- Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2 Cor. 10:4-5, NIV - The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

In Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Many people turn their backs on Jesus because they have loved the so-called “wisdom” of the world, the theories, the world-views, the philosophies. But only in Christ are hidden the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All wisdom is in Jesus. If we desire wisdom, only by remaining in Jesus can we have access to the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He is the vine, we are the branches. We have to stay in the vine to have the life of Christ flowing in us. Our fruit will come from staying in the vine. And we don’t bear fruit just so others can see our fruit. We bear fruit, not for human approval, but for the approval of the Gardener alone.

Colossians 2:3, Amplified Bible- In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden.

In Christ, the whole fullness of God dwells! Think of what that means, the fullness of God! And we are in Him, made full and coming to fullness of life. So there is nothing to be afraid of, neither people nor demons, because the fullness of God is in Christ, and we are in Christ. The immeasurable, unlimited, and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe is available in Christ, the same power God exerted by God’s strength when He raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. Nothing compares to Jesus—He was seated at God’s right hand, far above all authority and power and dominion and every name that is named in this age and world and the age and world to come. Far above means absolutely no one comes near to Him.

Colossians 2:9-10, Amplified Bible- For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].

Col. 1:19, NIV- For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him…

Ephesians 1:19 Amplified Bible: And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places],far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church].

What is our response when we come to know Christ?

Apostle Paul said, “ I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. –Philippians 3:8) Paul considered EVERYTHING a loss compared to the SURPASSING GREATNESS of knowing Jesus. Whatever he was (a circumcised Benjamite and a Pharisee) and whatever he had accomplished (zealous service and adherence to the law), the Apostle Paul considered a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. He considered them garbage, rubbish, that he may gain Christ and be found in Him. How many of us still go around touting our degrees, our lineage, and our accomplishments? May we be like Paul instead. May we fall in love so much with the Lord who loved us and gave His life for us. May we know Him so closely and love Him so deeply that we can also say we consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.

Phil 3:4-11 NIV If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

As for Moses, Hebrews 11 says that he refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He turned his back on his royal lifestyle. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than all the treasures of Egypt. Egypt was one of the superpowers then. But Moses regarded suffering for Christ’s sake of greater worth than ALL the treasures of Egypt. It’s like us saying we regard disgrace for the sake of Christ of greater worth than all the treasures of the United States of America. What’s more, Moses did not fear the king’s wrath; he was unawed and undismayed. Moses persevered in following God to leave Egypt. Why? Because Moses saw Him who was invisible. I believe that Moses met the pre-incarnate Christ face to face at the burning bush and on Mount Sinai. I believe that He was able to gaze on the face of the Lord Jesus when he was on the top of Mount Sinai for 40 days.

Exodus 32: 4 Amplified Bible But now go, lead the people to the place of which I have told you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. (*my note: the "Angel of the Lord" is generally accepted to be the pre-incarnate Christ, not just any ordinary angel. Christ existed even before He was born as a human.)

Exod 33:11 NIV The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.

Exod 34:5 NIV Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD.

In the same way, we must also persevere because we fix our eyes on Jesus who is invisible.The Lord Jesus must be the reason we persevere. The world is full of stories of people who persevered because of the “human spirit”, because of sheer determination and focus. We see that plainly on TV shows like Fear Factor and Amazing Race. But as God’s people, we persevere because we see Jesus who is invisible. We persevere not by our strength, but by God's supernatural strength. We are strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. This is a strength that is not finite, that has no limit. The power God gives us is the power of His resurrection. We have hope because the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, not just because of plain optimism that is Christ-less .

Heb 11:24-27,NIV By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter.He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.

The Amplified Bible expresses it better:

Heb. 11:24-27, Amplified Bible [Aroused] by faith Moses, when he had grown to maturity and become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life.He considered the contempt and abuse and shame [borne for] the Christ (the Messiah Who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward (recompense).[Motivated] by faith he left Egypt behind him, being unawed and undismayed by the wrath of the king; for he never flinched but held staunchly to his purpose and endured steadfastly as one who gazed on Him Who is invisible.

Yippee! It's A.... Small Pineapple

And so my pineapple ripened...

It was picked (actually, it detached itself) from the plant yesterday, not by me though. The plant was in the garden of my parents' house.

So here it is! It's so small it fits in my hand. The plant came from the pineapple top of a Dole Tropical Gold pineapple, a small variety of pineapple which is really yummy and sweet.

To show you how small it is, I placed my husband's Parker ball pen beside it.

The Security Backrub

In April 2006 my husband and I went to the United States without our kids. We left our two boys with my mom and dad. We were there for one month, which seemed like forever, as we missed them terribly. We called them everyday. We couldn’t enjoy Sea World at San Diego because we wished the kids could be with us. We told each other, we will never leave them behind again.

Whenever we called them, my mom would tell us how she would bring the kids every week to the toy store to buy new toys for them, but with a budget of 100 pesos. (A little over 2 US$.) My mom never spoiled our kids with expensive toys. She would also buy french fries and hamburgers for them at Jollibee (our local hamburger chain) or McDonalds. At night, the kids would sleep between Owo (how my older son pronounced Lolo, Tagalog for Grandfather) and Owa (Lola, Tagalog for Grandmother).

When we came back, the kids were healthier and heavier, maybe from all the Jollibee and McDonalds they had! My older son especially had rounder cheeks. When we came back from the airport, they ran to us and we hugged them for a very long time. When we were about to sleep that night, My older son said, “Mommy, may you massage my back? Owa always massaged my back every night before I slept, when you were in the States.” Both kids asked for “Owa’s backrub” for several nights since we arrived. I realized that the backrubs had become their security blanket when we were away. It was Owa’s way of making them feel the love of their Owa and Owo and their mom and dad.

To this day, I give the kids backrubs when they have a hard time falling asleep at night. It never fails to relax them and lull them to sleep. Every time I rub their backs, I remember “Owa’s backrub” and thank God for Owa and Owo.

_____________________

I wrote this for our "family book", a tribute to my parents, which we gave to our Mom and Dad for their 40th wedding anniversary last Dec. 31, 2007.

Watch Me Grow: My Pineapple Plant: 26May2008

I took this picture with my cellphone camera.(Nokia N70)

I think pineapples really take a long time to grow.

Rainy season (June to December) is setting in in the Philippines, so I hope the rain will nourish my pineapple plant.

The Global Day of Prayer

I went to Hongkong to attend and participate in the Global Day of Prayer-HK.

Above: The Global Day of Prayer at The Hongkong Stadium, May 11, 2008

Above: Striking A Pose on the GDOP stage after the program

It was an amazing gathering. The Lord Jesus was truly honored and glorified at the gathering. No denomination or personality was lifted up. This is because the Christian church in HK is united. There were people from different nations at the gathering. They had a booklet which contained prayers of repentance and redemption for the church, for marriage, for the family, for educators, and for the marketplace. The prayers were written in Chinese and in English, so international delegates like us could agree in prayer with those who were praying. The prayers were not "formula prayers" but were sincere cries from the heart of the Christian Church in Hong Kong.

The young people also prepared a skit which featured the main "idols" of the young people in Hong Kong: luxury goods/brands, computer games/internet, and sexual sin. After their skit, they had prayers of repentance and redemption for the young people, and a "cry from the heart of the youth": prayers for restoration of self-control and patience, restoration of godly wisdom and restoration of a heart that submits to the truth. These were prayers of submission and commitment to God.

There was also a beautiful song that some young children sang, about dreaming of caring for their parents. This picture below shows part of the lyrics: " I'm still dreaming that once again I can see the starry night". I was crying as they sang, it reminded me of all the unborn children who would never see their parents because of abortion. I wish I could have the complete lyrics. I will try to email the organizers, I hope they will reply.

Night Mode Pictures of the Central Skyline

Above: I took these pictures of the Central skyline with my camera phone, a Nokia 6600. (All because my digital camera's batteries went dead. :-P. ) I took these pictures standing along the Promenade on the Tsim Sha Tsui side of the harbour. These pictures were taken during the Symphony of Lights on May 13, 2008. The Symphony of Lights occurs nightly at 8pm. Both sides of the harbour have a light show, but the view from Tsim Sha Tsui side is much nicer, I guess, because we can see all the famous buildings in Central. (e.g. The Bank of China building by Architect I.M. Pei)

Hong Kong: Close-up Pictures of Flowers

Above: I took pictures of these zinnias along Peking Road in the Tsim Sha Tsui area.
They were planted in flower boxes outside a restaurant.

Above: I took pictures of these small roses which were in flower boxes
along Canton Road, also in the Tsim Sha Tsui area.


Above: I took pictures of these flowers in the flower boxes at the perimeter of Two IFC, the tallest building in Hong Kong.

Money Doesn't Buy Happiness

I went to Hongkong May 10-14. My two friends and I rode the Peak Tram in Central to reach The Peak (Victoria Peak). On our way to the Peak Tram station, we saw so many Mercedes Benzes, BMWs, Mini-Coopers, Peugeots, Range Rovers...I think more than half the cars were luxury cars. On the way to the Peak, we passed by luxury condos, and I even saw a house with a Porsche SUV, Ferrari and Mercedes Benz parked in its garage. Then I saw this graffiti on the wall of a condo in Central.

The Lord Jesus said, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)

I will never forget this sight at Canton Road: people lining up to get into the Louis Vuitton store.

Five Loaves and Two Fishes Mural by Doug Westbrook

I found this picture of a painting/mural called Five Loaves and Two Fish by Doug Westbrook on Bible Story Murals.com

Watch me grow! - My Pineapple Plant:: 29 April 2008 picture

I took this picture using my cellphone camera. It's a little fatter now! I counted all the pineapple tops I planted, there were 23, this is the only one that has bore any fruit. :-) p.s. I do not place any fertilizer or chemical on the pineapple plants.

Five Loaves and Two Fishes by Corrinne May

Here is another favorite song of mine by Corrinne May.


Lyrics of Five Loaves and Two Fishes
Corrinne May
from the album Beautiful Seed

A little boy of thirteen was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing and he went to take a look
Thousands were listening to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom, even the kids could understand

The hours passed so quickly, the day turned into night
Everyone was hungry but there was no food in sight
The boy looked in his lunch box, at the little that he had
He wasn't sure what good it'd do, there were thousands to be fed

But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus, the kindness in His smile
And the boy cried out with the trust of a child, he said,

"Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as You will
I surrender
Take my fears, my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
To feed them all."

I often think about that boy when I'm feeling small
And I worry that the work I do means nothing at all
But every single tear I cry is a diamond in His hands
And every door that slams in my face, I will offer up in prayer
So I'll give You every breath that I have
Oh Lord, You can work miracles
All You need is my "Amen"

So, take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as You will
I surrender
Take my fears, my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it's not too small

I trust in You, I trust in You

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as You will
I surrender
Take my fears, my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
No gift is too small

_____________________

Listen to it on this imeem player:

Lily Pictures- from Bud to Full Bloom

This plant was given by our neighbor. It took three days for the bud to bloom.

I noticed these buds above on February 19, 2008

Above: The next morning, February 20, 2008, the buds spread out

Above: The next day, February 21, 2008, the lilies bloomed

Above: close-up of one of the blooms

Hibiscus Flowers

I like taking close-up pictures of flowers with my trusty old point-and-shoot 4-megapixel camera with close-up and super-close-up settings.

Here are some hibiscus flower close-up pictures:

above: these were taken last Oct '07 at the garden of the Camp John Hay mini-golf playing area, Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines.

above: this was taken 29 March 2008 at the garden of the Camp John Hay mini-golf playing area, Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines.

above: this was taken taken 7 April '08 at the poolside area of Terrazas de Punta Fuego, Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines

Infinity Pool at Terrazas de Punta Fuego, Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines

I'm not a professional photographer and I only use an old 4-megapixel Olympus digital camera, but I like this picture I took of the infinity pool at the beach resort we went to, which is 125 kilometers south of Manila, Philippines. :-)

Watch me grow! - My Pineapple Plant:: 04 April 2008 pictures

Watch me grow! I took these pics April 9, 2008.

Are we seeds?

Are we seeds?

Many times throughout the Bible God used agricultural terms to explain things to His people, as He spoke through His prophets, through the Lord Jesus, and also through the apostles. As we know, societies were primarily agricultural back then. The Lord always used sowing, reaping, seedtime, harvest, chaff, winnowing, threshing and many other agricultural terms like spring rain, latter rain, to explain His kind of care, His future judgments, His blessings, and other things. But what about the seed?

I found these verses on people being seeds planted by the Lord.

We are a Planting of the Lord

Isaiah 61:3
...They (-meaning those in Zion) will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

We are seeds whom the Lord has planted. As Corrinne May said in her introductory spiel to "Beautiful Seed" at her concert:
"...the seed is such a beautiful metaphor for ourselves and our lives. We start off being really really tiny and really small, very insignificant actually that you even need an ultrasound to see that little dot in the mother's womb. But then all the potential for who we are and who we will be is already there and that's so amazing to me.. that everything that we are, we just came from that small insignificant seed."

God has a dream for each of us even before we were born.God said, "before I formed you in the womb, I knew you"(Jeremiah 1:5). Psalm 139:16 says, "all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." He placed us in the world as a tiny seed in our mother's womb, to grow and grow into His dream for us.

We Must Die to Ourselves : Let God Plant You in the Ground

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:24-26

As we follow Christ, we take up our cross and follow Him in His death, but in following Him,we have life. And because He rose from the dead, we have hope after death and power over sin. True freedom is found in following Jesus. The abundant life is the life that is surrendered and obedient to God. Not the life wherein one follows his own dreams and ambitions. It has been said, "there is no destination that is impossible to reach when one walks with God". Let God guide you and hold your hand. The most miserable and empty life is a life lived apart from and in rebellion against God.

Place yourself in the Maker's hands as a seed. Let God put His plans and purposes in your life. Let go of yours. Let Him plant you. You are a beautiful seed.