Inspirational Thoughts

On days that you feel like you are lacking... try to remember how faithful God has been to you.
On days that you feel like no one cares... try to remember that Jesus died for your sins.
On days that you feel like life is meaningless... try to remember that all of this is not your home and we are all sojourners here.

God knows how you really feel inside. He cares.

Reach For Your Goals

Watching my kids grow up is a privilege. Seeing them start to have dreams and goals of their own is surreal. As a parent, there is nothing more that I want than they reach their goals and dreams in life. But I know that reaching for goals isn't an easy task. In fact, it really takes a lot of character molding before one can even get to a point near our goals.

But while the kids are young, we give them opportunities and inspiration - so that they can dream and pray that God's favor will be upon them as they grow up. We also try our best to teach them that aside from faith in God, character is what sets them apart from others.

Motherhood Thoughts

Being a mom is one of God's greatest gift. I never thought that I would love being a mom. I enjoy every moment, every milestone, every challenge and every triumph. Motherhood has definitely changed my perspective on life and on love. Motherhood caused me to be selfless and loving. It has definitely allowed me to become a better person.

I am grateful and honored to be a mom. Thank you Lord!

Books

As long as I can remember, I have loved reading books! I started with junior novels when I was younger and got to reading novels and devotional books when I got older. I get inspiration, instruction and insight from reading books. It is a great way to expand one's horizon and knowledge about places, things, culture and life's lessons. 

Now that I have kids of my own, I want them to enjoy reading as much as I did. Because I believe that once we have instilled the joy of reading, they will never cease learning. 

You cannot open a book without learning something.
Confucius

Insight On Struggles

There are days that circumstances, doubt and weakness seem to overcome us, but it is during these trials that we see God at work in our lives. We see how mighty, how loving and how faithful He has really been through it all. Through the struggles of our lives, we see the whole picture and realize that we can never do it on our own. Then we see how big our God really is and how small and futile everything else is.

During turbulent times, we need to find rest in Him and wait upon God. He shall surely see us through.

Conflicts Refine Our Character

Do you agree that conflicts refine your character?

Most conflicts provide an opportunity to grow to be more like Jesus. God’s highest purpose for you is not to make you comfortable, wealthy, or happy. He plans to conform you to the likeness of His Son! Conflict is one of the many tools that God will use to help you develop a more Christ-like character. To begin with, he may use conflict to remind you of your weaknesses and to encourage to depend more on him. The more you rely on his grace, wisdom, and power, the more you will be imitating the Lord Jesus.

God may use conflict to expose sinful attitudes and habits in your life. Conflict is especially effective in breaking down appearances and revealing stubborn pride, a bitter, and unforgiving heart, or a critical tongue. When you are squeezed through controversy and these sinful characteristics are brought to the surface, you will have an opportunity to recognize their existence and ask for God’s help in overcoming them.

There is more to being like Jesus than simply recognizing weaknesses and confessing sin, however to grow, you must also draw on his grace and practice new attitudes and habits. Just as athletes develop their muscles and skills through strenuous training, you will see greater growth when you repeatedly think and behave properly in response to challenging circumstances. For example, when people provoke and frustrate you, practice love and forgiveness. When they fail to act promptly, develop patience. When you are tempted to give up on someone, exercise faithfulness. Conflict provides a rich mixture of such trials, each of which can strengthen and refine your character.

God uses conflict to stretch and challenge you in carefully tailored ways. This process is sometimes referred to as the “ABC of spiritual growth”: Adversity Builds Character. As you worry less about going through conflict and focus more on growing through conflict, you will enhance that process and experience the incomparable blessing of being conformed to the likeness of Christ.

Source: Sande, Ken: The Peacemaker: A Biblical guide to resolving personal conflict (Grand Rapids, Michigan USA, Baker publishing group), 36-37

My Thoughts for Today

There are days that I really feel the pressure of having less in terms of finances. These are the days when the bills just seemed unending, and then several things at home seem to be starting to fall apart, showing signs of being worn out and items needing to be purchased. These are the days when I want to do something but because of limited finances, I know that I have to put my plans on hold. These are the days that makes you want to re-think if you are doing what God wants you to do, but how come I feel limited and unable to do much because of limited finances?

But then, after praying, I begin to realize that these are the opportunities for God to show His favor upon me. God provides opportunities so that I can see His hand and His presence over my life. Even in the midst of uncertainty, God will show Himself to me. He may not answer my prayer the way I expect Him to, but God IS answering my prayers. He knows what is best for me and WHEN things should happen.

Peace in the midst of uncertainty because I know that Jesus is with me - that is enough blessing for me today.

Thought for the Day!

God reminded Joshua to be strong... and not to be afraid for the task which God has called him to do. So if God has called you to do something, be strong and don't be afraid because God will be with you and he will help you to accomplish your mission!

Inspiration Out of the Blue

We all have flashes of inspiration. Maybe you all of a sudden get the perfect image of how to redo the decorating in your home while playing online casino games. Or maybe that donation project that has been rolling around in your head suddenly pops together while you are out shopping. No matter what the inspiration, or what you are doing when it comes, it is generally something that should be acted on.

Even if you don't have time immediately to act on your inspiration, don't let it get away. Take some time to write down what came to you. Don't try too hard to figure out where the thoughts came from. In most cases you won't find a link. In fact, it could just be your subconscious jumping up and yelling "HELLO!" while you found your conscious mind previously occupied.

There are many forms of inspiration. In fact, almost any thought can be called inspiration. If you are a writer or artist, you may find that there are times when nothing is coming, and then all of a sudden it feels like a dam has broken. If you are trying to come up with details for a new project for work, you may find that it comes to you in an inconvenient time. That's the thing about inspiration: In many cases, it is not something that can be willed into existence. It will happen when and how it happens, and there is nothing that you can do to change that.

Inspiration in different cultures has been called many different things. It used to be that the muses were the goddesses of inspiration. Today, we consider these thoughts to be "light bulbs" that go off. No matter how you want to look at it, inspiration is what gets the mind going and the projects flowing.

Just In Time!

As a family, we are adjusting financially and sometimes, there are unexpected expenses. Just like my daughter's recent asthma attack and my hubby's diabetes. But God has proved to us his faithfulness... He provided us with finances that would help us pay for the medicines... just in time!

It is inspiring and encouraging to know that God REALLY provides for our daily needs. Even with simple things like when I ran out of soap and my mom suddenly gave me 6 months supply of the soap I use. Isn't God amazing?

So if you are in a tight situation right now, don't panic! Hold on... and look to God... He will always provide, JUST IN TIME!

Girls Talk: I Love Me

Niko is starting a new meme exclusively for girls every Thursday! It has a weekly theme so drop by Girls Rule often!

The theme for this week is I LOVE ME: Why you love being a girl?

I love it that I can dress up if I want to and wear comfortable clothes when I need to.
I love it that I have the privilege of getting pregnant, bearing babies and nurturing them.
I love it that girls are treated special most of the time.
I love it that girls are, most of the time, more mature than boys of the same age.
I love it that girls tend to be more organized...
I love being a girl because ... its the way God made me!

How about you? Why do you love being a girl?
Join us at Girls Talk every Thursday!

Why God, why me?

Sometimes, we need to see the bigger picture... to appreciate what is truly happening.

Thank God for the stuff that didn't hit you!
Happy weekend everyone!

Rotten Smell

A few weeks ago, something was smelly in our room. We couldn't see where the smell was coming from, but we were certain something was rotten because we could all smell it. We searched and finally, we found a bird's nest under our AC unit. There were dead birds.

We can try to hide our sins, but sooner or later, they will surface. Just like the foul smell in our bedroom. It was because of its stench that we found where the smell was coming from. So in our life, as we try to cover up our sins, the stench of our sins will eventually caught up with us!

Encouragement

Whenever I am down or discouraged, prayer is my source of encouragement. Knowing that the Lord listens and will uphold me through any situation I am in.

Looking Forward

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

Titus 2:12-13

The Bible has given us clear instructions as to how we are to live in this world. Wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God will guide us in our daily journey. We are also to remember that this is just our temporary "home"... we should be looking forward to the day when Jesus Christ comes back.

Are we still looking forward to that event? Or are we too attached with our eartly life?

Are You Engaged?

I am a regular reader of At The Well. It's At The Well Gathering every Monday has been one of the very first meme I joined over the blogsphere. I have learned a lot from other Christian moms and met some great blogger friends too.


Today's topic is about raising our children. I invite you to check out the post. The title of the article written by Michelle is "Are You Engaged?" Here are her questions...

"Are your mind and heart seemingly disengaged in your role as Mama?

Do you hustle and bustle through your busy day sometimes never even looking into each of your children's eyes?

Are you busy "keeping your home" and all that that involves that you, many days miss the very little ones you are called to love and disciple?

Do you often get to the end of the day and feel like something was missing?"

As I was reading this post, I knew this post was speaking to me. I am a SAHM and I take care of the kids, but sometimes, blogging has taken away my concentration and being "engaged" to them. I hear them but I don't really listen to them. I play with them but sometimes, my mind is not with them. I am quite ashamed.

God has been dealing with me with this, and I am glad that He has brought it to my attention before it is too late. I would have to intentional turn off the computer so I can spend time with my kids. The reason I wanted to be SAHM was to be with them and be part of their world as they grow up. I can't risk losing it.

Now, as Michelle has written... I am going to "call my little ones over right now, get on my knees, look into their eyes, give them the gift of a mama who is engaged!"

Laughter

As I was reading Laurie's entry today at Women Taking A Stand. I was reminded of how laughter should be part of our daily lives. Especially if we truly have Christ in our hearts, joy is a fruit of the spirit that should be evident in our life everyday.

I was humbled of how busy and how stressed I am that most of the time, I actually forget to laugh with my kids. There are times that they just enjoy each other's company and they laugh, but because I had so many things that I want to finish or accomplish, I dont join them at all. Even when I am a SAHM, I know that I have missed several opportunities of just enjoying their childhood and just laughing...

There is a great quotation that I came across with recently about laughter, and I would like to share it with you. It is by E. E. Cummings, and he said "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."

What a reminder... How about you? Have you laughed with your kids today?

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Never Be Afraid

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
Corrie ten Boom

Most of the time, we are afraid to step out of the boat because we don't know who God really is. I believe that if one spends enough time with God, one will get to know Him. When we really know Him, we won't be afraid of the unknown. We rest on His character to face our daily challenges.

Life is Like Puzzle...

Life is like a puzzle. Each day is a piece of puzzle. We can't appreciate each piece of the puzzle without looking at the bigger picture it gives us. Every color and design can't be seen clearly because we have limited perspective. Same with life, we can't appreciate the trials and what life brings us each day when we only look at each trial every time. We need to step back, and look at life from a bigger perspective. Then we would see what God has been doing all along.

Men are Born Good or Bad?

Do you believe that all men are born good? Or bad? I believe that men are born bad. Since I had kids, this belief became even more real. Nobody has taught them to grab the toy from the other's hand. Even when he or she has her own toy, he or she covets what the other has! Its in the nature of the kid to protect his or her own interest. How about you what do you think?

So, what does the Bible have to say about this?

Romans 3:10-12

"There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."