"The Importance of the Bible"

    The Bible is considered the most important book in the world. Simply because it is God's word. When you read the Bible, you read a message from God Himself. When the Bible speaks, God speaks. Because the Bible is God's Word, it does more than just pass on information. It makes a promise, a promise of life. Everyone who receives the Bible's message in faith, is promised the rich gift of eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son.

   The Bible came from God Himself. God chose several people to write down what He wanted them to. Through God's inspiration the Bible was written down by people who did not make up these words themselves. The Holy Spirit drove them to speak on behalf of God. We need the Bible because no one can live fully without knowing God's true Word.

Taken from Google

True life consists of obeying God's every command. We can trust the Bible, because God's Word is true and all promises will certainly be fulfilled. The Bible is not too ancient to carry meaning for us today. It is a living book that speaks to people's hearts in every time and place. God's word is full of strength and life. It is sharper than the sharpest sword; it penetrates immediately to our deepest thoughts and desires and shows us clearly who and what we truly are. The Bible is unutterably useful in your daily life, because it teaches you how to lead a life full of use and sense that is pleasing to God.

   The bible teaches you the truth and demonstrates any lack in your life and faith. It brings order to your life and shows you what is right and good. The greatest joy you will receive thanks to reading the Bible is that it leads you to the Lord Jesus Christ. It shows you how you can be saved, namely through faith in Jesus Christ through whom you may receive eternal life.

“Love at first chat”

Taken from Google

Have you ever been experienced to fall in love with the strangers on the chat room? I've met a guy on the net last 2007 and have been chatting with him until this year. Undeniably, since then, am very happy whenever I chat and receive messages from him. I feel that I knew him personally for so long and so much. I sense that he is the man I’ve been praying for, to whom I may spend with the rest of my life and the man I’ve been dreaming of, to whom I can really share my faith with because of we have the same belief. I thought that it’s just an ordinary feeling and will just pass by later on if I leave the chat room and log out; nevertheless, he continuously sticks on my mind. 

My feelings on him have started to grow and have deepened unnoticeably. I know it sounds ridiculous if I admit here that I’m falling in love with my so-called chat-mate. It’s very tough for me because I can’t tell him what I feel and don’t assure if he also feels the same on me. Even, I want to conceal and cease the feelings on him, but my heart keeps on shouting that I really like him. Yes, I really do. I also know it’s dangerous and not good to entertain this kind of affection because of the fact that I haven’t met him yet personally even on cam but what must I have supposed to do?

     Do I stop this fantasy even though it will be difficult for me? How would I know if he also feels alike on me? Do you think that chat-lovers relationship may last? Do you believe in love at first chat? Does anybody hear me? Please, feel free to share your concern. Thank you and God bless!!!

"Singleness: Is it a Gift or a Curse?"

Courtesy of Google

Are you complete? Are you happy? Aren’t you asking for someone with whom you can spend the rest of your life? Do you feel lonely because you don’t have one? Aren’t you getting envious of your friends who already have their own life? You’re nearly out of the calendar. Well, still got bingo! You’re getting older; friend, you’re not getting younger anymore. Settle down! Wouldn't you love to see yourself having your own children? You can still catch the last trip, pal!

     We can enumerate that these are the common, repetitive, monotonous and insistent teasing remarks we receive from some of our friends. In addition, these are the overused questions we hear from people if we have already reached the maturity age of getting married or if we belong to a group in our batch from high school or college who haven’t yet experienced the ceremony of matrimony. But should we need to feel stressed every time we hear these? Or should we feel ashamed, miserable and embarrassed any moment we encounter such remarks? Or have we reached the point when we ask ourselves: “What’s wrong with me?” Do I look ugly? Am I too good looking to not have a partner at my age? Should we need to entertain the "self pity party" or ignore them? 

      In my own life, instead of questioning and struggling toward what other people may tell me concerning my status, I wonder why don’t we examine ourselves (singles) and believe that some people can be seen as having the gift of marriage while some might have the gift of singleness. 

     For those people who aspire for marriage: In the book of 1 Peter 5:7, we read: "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you." You can talk with God about your desire to be married. He cares about how you feel, and He is waiting for you to talk with Him about it. You can give all your concerns to Him and trust that He has your very best in mind. 

     For those who feel that they have the gift of singleness: Firstly, it is a gift because the Bible says so. 1 Corinthians 7:32-33 shows us that an unmarried man is concerned with the pleasing the Lord, while a married man has to please the Lord and his wife. Singleness gives us freedom to serve God without having to think about a husband or wife, and means we're just seeking to serve God first and no-one else. 

     This is not to suggest marriage is not good; the Bible clearly states it's a gift, but marriage or children can cause strains in all sorts of ministry areas which singleness would not. Practical things like hospitality can be easier if you're single. You don't have to worry about what your husband, wife or children think about inviting that person over for Sunday lunch, or about having to be careful how much time you spend doing church work in case you neglect your duties as a husband or wife. 

"A wonderful message gift from a friend 09-02-2011"

Singleness provides us with such a great opportunity to stand out for Jesus and be good salt and light in the world. By abstaining from sexual relations while single, a Christian single stands out in stark contrast to the world where sex before marriage is prominent. This means that single people are more clearly and more obviously witnesses for Christ than married Christian couples. 

      After all, we are told 'let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.' (Matthew 5:16) Remember that God loves and cares us whether we are married or single! Hope this will help. Lord, bless us all!

      If you are single, do you see this time as a gift or a curse? What determines how you feel about your relationship status? What are the benefits of being single? If you are married, what do you wish you would have known about marriage when you were single? What encouragement can you give those who feel their time has come and gone without a lasting relationship?

"Trusting God in Times of Trouble"

Yes, it is easy to praise God if we are just receiving good news from Him and if He answered our prayers, but what if He allows disappointments, sickness and challenges, to happen in our lives? Do we have still the same faith in Him like before? What if our dreams unexpectedly eroded? Will we become a miserable loser? Or will we be a victorious over-comer? What if our hopes and ambitions seem gradually broken down? Do we still praise and accept God?

Photoed by: Tabula Rasa @ Boracay 2013

Do we still say “Praise the Lord?” Do we still raise our hands to worship Him? Are we still available to communicate with Him in prayers? Will we be still on fire in His presence? Will we be still singing songs of praise for Him? Will we be still holding on to His promises? Will we be still standing in front of the crowd to testify the goodness of the Lord? 

     I may not understand now why sometimes God didn't answer our prayers but only one thing I know is certain. Jesus Christ loves me. He promised me that He will never leave me nor forsake me wherever I go! I will praise Him not just in good times and in blessings but especially in moments of trouble and the storms of my life. 

    And the greatest test of faith is when you don't get what you want, but still you are able to say "Thank you, Lord."

   When has trusting God been difficult? Have you ever been willing to praise God during times of trouble? When has God kept His promise to never leave you or forsake you?

"Do You Still Care for Others?"

Photographed by: Me at Boracay Island 2013

Do you still care? Have you asked yourself on what else you can give up to those people who are in need? Or are you the ones who are always yearning for something for your own sake? Have you realized that you are living on earth for a purpose? Or are you the ones who are thinking that life here on this planet is like a smoke that will later on mix up onto the air and then disappear? Have you contemplated that you were created to serve others and not to be served? Or are you the ones whose main goal is to humiliate and abuse people who have no power and authority to defend their selves?

Have you thought that you can be a part of somebody Else’s story of redemption? Or are you the ones who aren’t bothered with those people who are not able to do their tasks because of their physical helplessness? Have you circled your eyes to your surrounding that lot of less fortunate people and crowd who need your comfort and compassion? Or are you the ones who have no care and concern for others? Have you dreamt of yourself that someday you can be as selfless and as self-sacrificing for the sake of your neighbours? Please think about it for a moment. 

    I’ve noticed nowadays that because of the busyness of this world and modernization, most of the Christians are getting self-centered, egotistical, greedy, self-seeking and money-grubbing. Thus, they don’t have time to think of others that they could still be a light to those who are in the darkness and could still be a blessing to those who are hopeless and downhearted. I think this is the time to stir up again the thought of being compassionate to others. We must try again to fan the flame of love and care for others. Give some of our time and lend our ears to listen to those people who feel hurt. Share some of our possessions to those needy people which somehow it could be a big help for them. Impart our testimonies with them, might be helpful to add courage in facing their challenges. We need to relinquish of being selfish and start to give up something we valued for others’ welfare. 

     I realized these past few days that being complete couldn’t be measured by the treasures and money we have saved neither on the awards and achievements we have received neither on the career we have chosen nor popularity. Being complete could be measured by contentment, selflessness, self-sacrifice, humbleness and compassion to others as what the Lord Jesus has done on the cross. He chose to give up His life for us not for His own sake but for our own sake. Please open the eyes and ears of our heart for us to see and hear the real meaning of life. 

   “Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”- Mark 12: 30, 31. God bless everyone! 

   What are the things you haven’t given up yet in your life for the sake of others? What are you doing to actively care for others? How can we be selfless this holiday season?

"Family Fears: Alcoholism and my Father"

Photoed by: Me  "My foot gets dried while chatting with a friend under the sun @ Boracay 2013."

Honour your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.- Deuteronomy 5:16 How would you apply this verse to your life if your own father persecuted and berated you for your being a Born-again Christian, as if you were not of the same beliefs? Sounds funny right? 

    Yes, he is also a Christian and already baptized but, sad to say, based on the way I see my father, he is not taking Jesus seriously in his life. He still under the addiction of drunkenness. I thought he would change when I grew up and could stand by my own feet, having my own earnings and helping him to support our family needs. I thought that, when he became a Christian, he would transform himself to be a “cool dad” and a “sweet dad” like other “Christian dads” I encounter inside and outside the church. But, unfortunately, he is still just as bad as before. Nothing changes! He always tells me remarks that would slice and leave scars in my heart as if I am not his daughter when he is under the spirit of alcohol. 

    I remember last New Year’s Eve, when I prayed for our family, including our hearts transformation. I didn’t notice him, that he was listening to my prayer, but after that hour, I received from him words that I couldn’t take and couldn’t swallow. I had nothing to do, just I cried inside my room and prayed. My heart and spirit were grieving, totally disturbed by him and angry at him. 

    I just allowed my tears to flow down my face in silence, but deep within I shouted in pain. I was really disappointed by him and was agonized by the words I heard from him. He criticized me, on how I prayed and objected on the content of my prayer that night. He doesn’t like when I cry every time I pray because he feels that I am just articulating things as if I am telling to the Lord bad things against him. He always feels paranoid! He considers me abnormal and told me that I am not a nun to act like that. 

     I am just wondering and asking myself why my dad doesn’t understand the feeling of being a Christian, as if he is not a Christian. Why doesn’t he know how to talk to the Lord, that we can be true to Jesus whatever we feel, and why he doesn’t comprehend that we can share everything to the Lord as our “Father” in heaven? This is the big question in my mind -- is my father agnostic? Why does he always keep denying that God can help to unchain him from being captive by his past if he had lots of hard times during his childhood? Why not surrender everything to the Lord and refresh himself to the presence of Jesus and start a new life with Jesus as the center of his life? Why does he allow the evil spirit to enter his life and let them manipulate and control him? 

     Well, I believe that it’s a matter of choice. He gives pains and contributes lots of hard times in my Christian walk; yes, he does not deserve to be loved. Even though I really want to retaliate against every insult and rude word from him, I still opt to tame my tongue and choose to honor him, for this is the Lord's command to us as daughters and sons (Deuteronomy 5:16) and I will love my dad (my persecutor) -- for the Lord said in Luke 6:28 “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” -- despite of who he is, because like me, though I am totally undeserving like my dad, Jesus still chooses to love me like my dad! 

     Therefore, I still strongly believe by the power of prayers and faith in the Lord that what is impossible with men is possible with God. That even the person who has the hardest heart in the world, Jesus can still transform this heart into a humble heart. I believe that God can help my dad to set him free from any obsession, bondage and guilt. God can do miraculous changes in my dad’s attitude and character. I still believe that someday, in God’s time, I will see my dad raising his hand, worshiping the Lord, declaring the goodness of the Lord and taking Jesus seriously into his life.

     I believe that God will also use his life for Jesus’ ministry. Through God’s compassion, grace and mercy, Jesus will also strengthen and keep us still while waiting for our prayers to be answered. Amen. God bless readers! 

    Do you have struggles in your Christian life? Are you also being persecuted by family members? Are you going to dishonor your parents if they impart you heartaches instead of love? What are you going to do if you were in my situation? Do you still to love, pray and honor your parents if they are the ones who cause you pain? Do you believe that every prayer has its own time to be answered by the Lord?

"I'm Not Afraid to Fall In Love Again"

     1 John 4:18 NIV- "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." I am a Born Again Christian, simple, independent, imperfect,conservative and a very open minded person. You can easily tell me if you still love me or not. I will just cry out once then will move on. I am bold, brave, strong, happy, free, and original.To sum up, I am me. 

Even if I’ve gotten hurt or been ignored by someone who I loved for so many times, I won’t let my heart stop falling in love again and again. For every heartache and brokenness I've had and have experienced, it has helped me out to make me stronger, to face new challenges of life.I won’t give up until I've found the right one who really deserves my heart and I deserve his. I am a risk taker, and cowardliness has no space in me.

     See you when I see you. I’ll keep my heart open as I believe that everybody is worthy to be happy in God’s perfect will and timing. I will wait. Am holding onto God's promises. Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself into the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  

    I've been praying for a Godly man (Born Again Christian), a certified single man (no children, not divorced, not separated, not widowed) a man who is financially stable, no vices at all, music and nature lover, simple, loving, honest, sincere and most of all he loves God above all else and I'll be only second to his life. 

    Someone who really loves me. Sees what a mess I can be. How moody I can get. How hard I am to handle, but still wants me in his life. If you think that I am the one you've been looking for and you are the answer to my prayers, don't think twice, just send me a message then I'll get back to you soon! God bless you more!

P.S. "Would I be remained Single Till Rapture?" Well, we'll see. :)