WFW - Habakkuk 3: 19

(image source)

To better appreciate this verse... let us read the verses that come before.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,^[e]
able to tread upon the heights.

I am truly thankful that God is my anchor. No matter how I feel, how things turn out in my life, everything is anchored in God. I know that I can be joyful in my salvation. I find joy, strength and calm in my God!

Check out Internet Cafe Devotions for more WFW!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Saving Grace

I don't deserve His love yet He saved me. How can I not follow and love you Lord? You are my one desire, my only Truth.

A Review of Solo Flight

Being married for many years, I have always wondered what is it like to be single all these years. Now that I have a copy of Solo Flight Embracing the Single Life and Discovering God's Purpose by Grace D. Chong and Francie Castaneda-Lacanilao, I read it at once to gain some insight.

I found the book to be very interesting...in fact, it didn't take me 2 hours to read through the whole book. I thought that I was going to read about how to wait for God's perfect mate or what to do while waiting but I was mistaken. Instead, the first part was actually the life story of Ms. Francie. The book narrated her journey through life until God gave her the life long partner she had been waiting for. It was very inspiring and encouraging to know her story.

The second part features different stories of different women who have embraced singleness in their life. The stories give you a reflection of what goes on in the heart of these women who have accepted their singlehood and others who still hold on and wait for their mate. Reading the stories gave me a new perspective about singleness and appreciate the plans God has for each one of us.

The last part of the book is about danger signs single women should watch out for. God has a different plan for each person, what really matters is whether we live our life in obedience and in praise of Him.

WFW - Psalm 119:133

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When you are faced with decisions, don't forget to ask for wisdom from the Lord. He shall direct your footsteps... and He shall not bring you to shame.

Dear Lord,

Direct my footsteps every step of the way. Let no sin rule over my life. I know you are watching over me.

Check out Internet Cafe Devotions for more WFW!

Tips to Earn More

If I ask you, do you want to learn how to make more money? I am pretty sure that you would answer me "yes". Everyone wants to learn the art of making money. As a stay at home mom, I know I need to earn extra for some expenses we have at home. I am so glad that I have been given the chance to earn while writing some articles. I started with technical articles in 2008 and moved on to blogging and writing parenting articles. Of course, I only earn minimally though this avenue but still I am really grateful.

I read in this website that there are top 3 ways to earn more money and it includes freelancing, productizing and getting a higher salary. It is not easy to venture into them if you are not aware what each entails. It is important to know where you would fit and how each would fit into your lifestyle. There are pros and cons you need to be aware of. If you want to start a business, it would be wise to know if you need to use automation or not. Most of the start up businesses do not use automation because it can incur unnecessary expenses, besides you are not sure if the business will be needing automation at once.

So just like in any other venture, you need to be aware and willing to take risks to know which is the best one for you.

Inspirational Blog Award

Thanks to JONA for this award!

Q & A

1. What makes you laugh, smile or giggle?

- wonderful memories of family and friends

2. What are your dreams for your future?

- to travel the world and learn new languages

3. If you were to go on a cruise, where would it be and why?

- Europe, very interesting culture.

4. How would you like to spend your vacation and with whom?

- With my family.

5. If given a chance, what life would you choose? Your life now or your past?

- Can I choose both? :)

6. Is there something that you wished for when you were young but you did not get it?

- yes, lots of them.

7. Have you been in a situation where you might have given up but still you chose to move on?

- yes, many times. i remember not being accepted in my desired university, i was depressed but God gave me opportunity to study in a good university as well. i moved on.

8. Is there someone in your life who has been your source of strength and inspiration?

- Yes, my God has been my source of inspiration and strength.

Friendship Quotes

A real friend is someone who would feel loss if you jumped on a train, or in front of one. ~Author Unknown


True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable. ~Dave Tyson Gentry


You can always tell a real friend: when you've made a fool of yourself he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job. ~Laurence J. Peter


Friends are those rare people who ask how you are and then wait for the answer. ~Author Unknown


A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out. ~Grace Pulpit


One doesn't know, till one is a bit at odds with the world, how much one's friends who believe in one rather generously, mean to one. ~D.H. Lawrence


Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. ~C.S. Lewis


Constant use will not wear ragged the fabric of friendship. ~Dorothy Parker


The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had. ~Author Unknown


The language of friendship is not words but meanings. ~Henry David Thoreau


A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked. ~Author Unknown

Venture Capital Firms

If you wanted to start your own high potential high risk company, you might need to read about venture capital firms. Venture capital firms looks for companies usually in the IT or biotechnology fields. Most of the time, they are looking for innovative technology, company with potential for rapid growth, a well-developed business model, and an impressive management team behind the start up company. The firm invests with the hope that as the company rises, the firm will have more control over company decisions.

It could be difficult to approach venture capital firms if you don't know much about entrepreneurship. It is rather interesting that as I read Both Sides of the Table website, you can see greater insight about venture capital and entrepreneurship. I liked the article on start up advice. It definitely gave me tips on how to go about starting up a business.

I am not an entrepreneur, even if they say Chinese are good in business, I don't think that gene was passed on to me! But it is always good to learn more about business and how it works.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Because You Loved Me

4 Hour Work Week?

I have not heard of Tim Ferriss before but as I checked out his website, I realized that he is the author of 4-Hour Workweek book. I was wondering what the 4- Hour Workweek was all about and I saw that it was all about changing your lifestyle. If you have been used to a life doing the usual work routine and you have always dreamed to work on minimal time with maximum output so that you can do things that you enjoy, this book would be of interest to you.

When I was still working in an office many years ago, I was actively involved in church ministry work and also very active socially. I had many travel plans but was always restricted with my 5 day work and desk job. I tried to start my own business with some friends but it didn't work out so we had to close it down. I tried to study about cashflow management because I want my money to work for me. It would be great to be able to invest money on the Philippine stock market and make money work.

I guess the lesson we need to learn from this book and this author is that we should maximize the hours in our day. Life is not just about work but living a life worth waking up to every day.

WFW - Daniel 2:27-28

(source: heartlight)

When Daniel told this to King Nebuchadnezzar, he wasn't afraid of what might happen to him. He just wanted to let others know that His God is great, unlike any other. This really makes us all think - are we brave enough to tell others about the God we serve? Even when it puts our life in danger?

Let us all remember what a great God we serve! No need to be ashamed or to be afraid.

Check out Internet Cafe Devotions for more WFW!

OMF Literature at Manila International Book Fair

It is the time of year again when all book lovers are excited! The annual Manila International Book Fair will happen at SMX Convention Center on September 14-18! One of my favorite booths to visit is OMF!

All books at the OMF Lit Bookshop booths at Aisle D will be at 20% off, visitors with the I Read Postcard can avail of selected titles at 30% off. They can get the postcards for free at any OMF Lit Bookshops in the Metro Manila area.

Booklovers can also look forward to the launch of new titles from both homegrown and international authors.

• Hula, Multo, Faith Healing Atbp by Pastor Hiram Pangilinan explains the different occult practices in the Philippines and how people can break free from them
• Pass or Fail by Ronald Molmisa, a practical and relevant book that teaches young people how to be the best student ever (in Taglish format)
• Solo Flight by Grace Chong and Francie Castaneda-Lacanilao, a guide to single women and how they can make the most of their lives
• The Last Man Dancing: The Nestor de Villa Story by Gicky Soriano, a biography of Mr. De Villa and his faith journey, written by his son
• Oh Mateo 14: Tree for All by Grace Chong which teaches kids good stewardship and taking care of the environment
• The Great Crocodile and Duck Race by Robert Magnuson which teaches kids to get along while at play
• Bee Safe by Joyce Piap Go, a practical and informative book that teaches kids how to be safe in their environment
• Dopple Ganger Chronicles Vol 2: The Secret of Indigo Moon by G.P Taylor, a graphic novella featuring more adventures from twins Sadie and Saskia and their friend Eric
• Cupidity by Hayley and Michael DiMarco talks about 50 stupid things people do for love and how you can avoid them
• Making Room for Leadership by MaryKate Morse, a practical study on the gift of power of servant-leadership
• Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married by Gary Chapman, a practical little book, packed with wisdom and tips that will help many develop the loving, supportive and mutually beneficial marriage men and women long for
• Think by John Piper brings together the life of the mind and the love of God
• What Women Don't Know (and Men Don't Tell You) by Michelle McKinney Hammond and Joel A. Brooks Jr features the unspoken rules of finding lasting love
• Workplace Grace by William Carr Peel and Walt Larrimore which deals with becoming a spiritual influence at work

You will also get the chance to meet and greet these home-grown authors on the following dates:
o Joyce Piap Go - September 14
o Francie Castaneda-Lacanilao - September 14
o Grace Chong - September 14
o Hiram Pangilinan - September 16
o Gicky Soriano - September 16
o Ronald Molmisa - September 17

If you want to find out what books will be on sale, check out this link.

To find out more about all the activities and happenings at the OMF Lit booth, log on to www.omflit.com or like OMF Literature on facebook/omfliterature or follow us on twitter @omflit.

WFW - Ezekiel 36:26-27

(source: heartlight)

Through this verse, I can clearly see that the new spirit within me is all God initiated. He is the one who will start the change within me. God will move me to follow His decrees. Isn't that great news? It means that the changes that happens in me, is not just for the moment but something that will last for a lifetime. Because of God's character and faithfulness.

Check out Internet Cafe Devotions for more WFW!

Struggles Through God's Perspective

Today's preaching was about how we should view struggles in life through God's perspective. Peter knew hardship was as he himself faced severe trials during his days and as he wrote to the other Christians during their deepest struggles. He said in 1 Peter 1:6-7 "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

Here is a video you should watch as it can change your perspective about the struggles you are facing in your life.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - My Desire

Another beautiful song by Jeremy Camp.
The desire of my heart is to be used by God, wherever He puts me.

Builders That Inspire

A couple of weeks ago, we went to SM Mall of Asia and we saw a photo exhibit entitled "Ang Ganda ng Pilipinas, Ang Galing ng Pilipino". This was courtesy of Lego. They featured different Filipino families who inspire others to change and live a life that inspires others!

I loved the theme "Builders That Inspire" and was so amazed by the different families featured!

Janice Villanueva of MommyMundo.com was featured..

Dr. Queenie Lee Chua was also featured...

Homeschooling family of Edric Mendoza from The Master's Academy (TMA) was also featured..

There were more families featured.. and each one has a story to tell!

I hope that many people were able to visit the exhibit, it was truly inspirational!