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Hello...

This is a very short post. I just wanna share a fellow bloggers site which features faith.
It is nice to know people blog about God, indeed that is a faith in action!
http://www.divine-ripples.blogspot.com/

God bless you!!

THANK YOU

Despite all the storms in my life..
I wanna dedicate this page to say THANK YOU to the Lord above! There is still something, many things to be grateful for....
Love You Lord!

Daily Blessings: Tart and Bud-bod

Thanks to the wonderful teachers who gave me this! It's their pasalubong from their hometown after the All Saint's and Soul's Day!!!
God bless you and Thank you for remembering me...............

Prayer for Serenity

God grant me serenity
to accept change I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time
enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship
as a pathway to peace!

Taking, as Jesus did,
this sinfl world as it is,
Not as I would have it.

Trusting that you will make
all things right
If I surrender to your will,
So that I may be reasonable happy
In this life
And supremely happy with you forever
in the next.
Amen.

Daily Blessings: Velvet Eyeliner, Flame it and Sr. Pedro

I am so thankful for all the blessings I received. I recieve so many blessing but too lazy to blog it all.
Praise the Lord for all the material things given to me!

Sinful Colore Velvet Eyeliner: I bought for myself. It's a deep blue eyeliner.
Flame It: Gift by a our Maintenance Supervisor.
Sr. Pedro: Gift by an Admin Staff.

Thank you guys for sharing what you have received! May God bless you all!

Daily Blessings: Lansones and Torta

It's been a while... I am sorry and It's hard to maintain this. But since I dedicate this blog for God, I should try though my weaknesses enables me to fail. I must not forget the reason for this blog, that is, to give thanks to God for all the blessings!

Lanzones
- This is a tropical fruit orginally from the island of Caminguin. The skin is yellowish with brown spots (like my freckles lol). This is best when this is sweet. This is usually sweet but some aren't not so sweet. I don't know the reason for it but I guess the farmers who cultivate these fruits has their own secrets to this.
In Camiguin, they have this anual Lanzones Festival. I don't have a first hand experience however, based on what I have heard, this is like a Harverst Thanksgiving Celebration wherein they parade the fruits on the streets.
The fruits were given by Teacher Sao. Thank you for this!


(This is image is taken by a Google Search.)


Torta
- This is a cake basically. The ingredients include egg, flour, sugar, milk, raisin and yeast. For me, homemade tortas are the best! This was given by Teacher Berna baked by her mom. YEHEY! It was so delicious! Thank you for this!


(This picture taken from RAPSA blog.)
* I guess some bakers add cheese on top.

I am thankful for all these blessings. I have so many more to blog but I becoming lazy.....
Praise the Lord for all the blessings we receive every single day!

Daily Blessing No 4:Tutti Fruiti Salad

One Teacher is about to resign in school. She's a good a professional teacher. Perhaps one of the best. In fact, she was the best teacher in school. It's sad to let her go, but for greener pastures, it's time... I would give in. ^^

It's her last day today and she gave some of the staff and teachers a very delicious fruit salad.
Oh...I trully value simple tokens like this. And she attached with a personal note saying her gratitude. ^^

May God bless You Miss Irma and your family in Australia!!!!!!!



(moi and the fruit salad)

There are so blessings to be thankful for but I can't blod them all.
Praise the Lord for all the blessings!!!
God bless you......

Special Page

Hello....
Today, I have so many things to blog about, a lot of blessings today.I thank God for that and praise His Goodness!!!!

But somehow, I feel sad.. seeing my countrymen suffering from the fierce typhoon Ondong. I received many things yet some people are suffering out there... I am just too sad to blog about my blessings. Lord, Sorry...

I dedicate this page for all those affected. I am encouraging everyone who can read this so PAUSE for while and PRAY.. sincerely. For them... for the victims...and recuers. It's is heart breaking an 18 year old teenager died after saving a 6 month old baby. That's a heroic act! May he Rest in Peace... and be with God.

May the Good Lord be with them, in mind body and spirit...
For donations, a lot of websites are giving the steps how to and youtube has a lot videos showing the actual photage.

Daily Blessing No.2 : Cookie,Go Go Sandwich, Rose Ice Cream

^^
Today, I received this blessings:

KFC Go-Go Sandwich
This is one of the favorites food among all the fast foods available.
I thank God for this. I really really love this food.

My friend and I went to the mall - to window shop.


Choco Crunches
This is Philippine made biscuit coated with chocolate. I love this since highschool. This is also my favorite and I prefer this over many other imported products.
Also, this cookie has a sentimental meaning. My dad (who passed away 8 years ago) used to bring this home for me and we eat this together selfishly. Not being generous to my mom and my brothers. My dad and I had a sweet tooth, not my mom and my 2 older brothers. Our love for sweets are equal and so we love this!
Now, I remember my dad when I see this in grovry shelves and it is one of the reason why I but it. Because I miss my dad and the memory that comes with these cookies. ^^
I am thankful I have this today.. Now, I am sharing it with my mom!
(hahahaha)



Rose Ice CreamThis is so unique! This was manufactured by University of San Carlos (My dear alma mater) - Business Administration Majors. Back in college, they do this kind of stuff. They make their own products and sell it. They did that inside the campus but now they're doing it off campus which I think is more challenging and realistic.
The ice name and the flavor caught my attention! I wanted to eat ice cream on that day or fruitsalad! I was so happy to see this @ Php 15!!!!! Unbelievably cheap!







Sometimes food brings us closer to our loved ones. To love and having a good memory of love is a blessing graced by God.
Praise the Lord for giving me WOnderful dad and mom!
We must not forget to THANK THE LORD for all the food theat we receive! HE is worthy to praised for His Goodness!

Daily Blessing No 3: Yellow Cab and Banana

It's a yellow day!
Since it's a yello day, I just remember and this I have to acknowledge who inspired me to do this section in my blog -- that's KYM of the Yello Days Blog. She blogs her daily life and its "yellowness". ^^ That gave me an idea, I thought I should be blogging on a daily basis on simple things. And since my blog is dedicated to Our Father, I come up with this Daily Blessing. The Label speaks for itself.

Today, during lunch, I had a free banana. Yehey!!!!! Thank you Lord! Free things are from God. I dont need to pay it. Life itself is free.. I don't need to pay for my life. A humble banana may seem unworthy and be taken for granted but it has a lot of potassium, good for the health. I just feel God is helping me to be healthy. Praise the Lord!

(This picture is from google. I did not carry my cam today.)

Second, this isn't so healthy but everybody at the office were craving for this since like last week. At last ! The good Lord granted our prayers. ^^ Thank you Lord!
Two Korean Managers decided to buy us pizza.. wow! It's free again!
We were so happy!!!!


(This picture is take from Flicker. I did not mind the stream owner. But I would like to stress that I am not owning this.)

I feel guilty for blogging only one or two things as my daily blessings. God gives so much and provides well.According Bo Sanchez, God is not a God of Scarcity but of Abundance." Yes!!! Yes!! Yes!!! Perhaps, if I blog all, I wont be able to finish. So, I just choose one or two based on what I want to blog and based on what means a lot to me on a certain day.

Thank you so much Lord!

May you always be thankful of all the free things you receive no matter how small!
Celebarte your free life!

Daily Blessing No.2 : A Purple Invitation

This morning a teacher called my name while I was preparing my day and doing this and that on my desk. I didn't really want to stand up and go to the counter and accommodate her so I told her to come inside the office instead. But she refused... I was surprised! And lazy as I was, I didn't feel like standing up because for one reason if I think a teacher has a concern I usually ask her to come to me and talk.
So, giving up that thought and while wondering why, I stood up and go to the counter. I asked her what is her concern or problem is... She hesitated for a moment, then gave me this:




(<em>I love the invitation. It's simple yet unique. No fuss! I asked her where she got this idea and she proudly answered "It's my 'husbands' idea". WOW! Men are created artistic as well! Check out the simple details.)





It's her wedding invitation. While handing me her invitation she said she didn't want to get in the office reasoning that she is too shy to let everyone see her give me her invitation. That I totally understand . ^^

I am always thankful of every invitation I receive. For me it's a blessing! Being invited to a celebration is an honor. It's a feast.. free food, free drinks and free entertainment!!!!! But more than that, the person values your presence and your relatioship.

For weddings, I am more honored and it makes my heart leap!!!! Why? For one thing it is a union of two hearts - a promise of two people! ^^ This excites me so much. ^^
Furthermore, it is a Covenant. What God has united can't be separated. And it's God that binds the two people, it's not just a paper but in heaven, the couple is bonded.
It is the law of God that needs to be obeyed first more than the law of the land.


It is sad though, there are many failed marriages, divorce is rising and broken families are increasing. Perhaps this a good time to stay closer to God more and have reverence to Him.

May the teacher who gave me this invitation be blessed with faith to sustain and an untiring love. Happy Wedding!



Praise the Lord!
God bless you...

Daily Blessing No 1: Heart Glittery Earrings

From today, I will try to blog all the blessings that I receive everday. Everything is given and provided by God from the food we eat, the air we breathe and the shelter we live in.. even the life we are having right now. It's all gift!! Praise the Lord for that!!

Nevertheless, this section would focus on simple material or temporal things that I receive everyday.This my way of being grateful and thankful to the Lord.

Today, I'll start with this:



This earring are lovely. I had a collection of earrings before. I still have them now. I have many pairs.. many pairs.. ^^ but I stopped adding to my collection. I stoppes buying for more. This new pair will be part of my treasured collection.
This is given to me by one of my co-workers.
Thank you so much for this gift! May God bless you for your geneorsity.


Every gift, expensive or not, must be cherished. Hope you will all treasure all the simple things you receive each day...Praise the Lord always!

Healing and Keeping Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me
I thank you for sending your Son,our Lord Jesus Christ, to set me free. I trust in your power and grace that sustain and restore me.

Loving Father, touch me now with your healing hands. For I believe that your will is for me to be well in mind, body and soul and spirit. Cover me with you precious blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. Cast our anything that should not be in me. Root out any unhealthy and abnormal cells and multiply my healthy cells. Open any blocked arteries or vein and rebuild and replenish any damaged areas. Remove all inflamation and cleanse any infection by the power of Jesus' precious blood. Let the fire of your healing love pass through my entire body to heal and to make new any diseases areas so that my body will function the way you created it to function. Touch also my mind and my emotion, even the deepest recesses of my heart. Saturate my entire being with your presence, love, joy, and peace and draw me ever closer to you every moment of my life.

And Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to do your works so that my life wil bring glory and honor to your holy name.

I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

***
Pray this prayer everyday and let the Lord touch and heal you. Please send your testimonies for God's glory:
ROBERT CANTON MINITRIES
PO. BOX 691927
Stockton, CA 95269-1927 , USA
Email: rrcanton@sbcglobal.net

***
I got this prayer once I attended a Healing Mass earlier this year. It was sponsored by the ministry written above. That Holy Mass was a blessing and it's memorable in my heart. All Holy Mass is actually a blessing and a gift!
Hope you'll enjoy praying this.
^^

Prayer

Prayer is an inspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed towards heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy;
finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus

Straight From The Heart (A Prayer Companion)

This is my second book review.
This book, firstly, was given to me by my church community brothers. We joined the same group at the same time, so this is so meaningful to me. By the way, the community we are atteding was Good Shepherd Community. It's small prayer group composed of 12 members. Sadly, the group was dissolved to due the some conflicts of the schedules and some other reasons.It's sad but I say having known and be involved in that group is one of the best things that ever happened to me in this lifetime.
Praise the Lord for that!

To continue with the book,this is basically a book of compiles prayer. Fr. Mario Jose Ladra, a priest from Laguna compiled this prayers and made this into book. There's a short profile of the priest at the back of the book.


The front cover looks dirty. Sorry for this. I carry this book in my bag, going to the office or just when I want to.





Inside the book, the contents:
-Dawn, Morningn and Night Prayers
-Prayers to Jesus Christ
-Prayers to the Holy Spirit
-The Holy Mass
-Prayers Of Those who served at the Altar of the Lord
-Marian Prayers
-Prayers before the Blessed Sacrament
-Prayers to Saints
-Favorite Psalms
-Prayers for Families
-Prayers for Healing (My personal Favorite)
-Prayers for Personal Needs and Concerns
-Prayers for students
-Prayers for Priests, Religious, Seminarians, and Vocations
-Prayers for Different Professions, and Works
-More Inspiratiional Lines
-Prayers for the Dead
-Tagalog Prayers (Tagalog is the national language of the Philippines)

The bullets above are the actual contents of the book. That is in order.
The book also comes in hard cover. Since this is the present, I don't know how much the book cost. I saw this in St. Paul's Religious Center, if i remember correctly, this is 150 php or less.

This book is all-in-one prayer book. This is handy and covenient to carry.
Yes, I recommend this instead of bringing the small separated chaplets.
Just remember thought that prayer is not the recitation of the words, but a conversation to God. Must be honest and sincere....

Have a good time Praying!


P.S. If you wana a sample of a prayer of any of the bulleted contents, you may leave a comment.

Be Patient, God Is.

I have not had any Sabbath Book but i subcribed to it through email. I dont read Sabbath diligently since I have a Companion with me. Today, the Title of the Sabbath entry caught my eye and it's such a waste not to publish it here.
Hope you'll enjoy this...
*******

Be Patient, God Is.

I recently read an article in the Internet regarding a Japanese student who killed himself because he was a “loser.” He did not get the top honor in school and so out of frustration, he killed himself.
A man who can be described as a perfectionist has been suffering from anxiety attacks over the tiniest “imperfections.” His guiding principle in life is “everything must be A-OK.” He spoke to a religious guru one time and asked him, “What should be my guiding principle instead?” The monk said, “If things are not OK, that’s OK.” There are people so driven to perfection that they could not tolerate any semblance of failure. Everything has to be perfect. There is no place for second place.
The parable of the weeds and the wheat illustrate the reality of good and evil co-existing. This is a very practical teaching Jesus is giving us. Patience over our limitations is a virtue we need to survive in a world that is imperfect.
They say that every infant born into the world is an indication that God has not lost hope on humanity. If your day did not turn out well today, do not fret. That is why God made tomorrows, to give us another chance to correct our mistakes. God is patient with us all. Why couldn’t we be the same to ourselves and to each other? Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:
Have my intolerance over error led me to be intolerant over the errant? Have I been unreasonably demanding on myself and others?

O Lord, I thank You for being with me every step of the way in my life. As I again go through this day, guide me by sending Your Spirit in the path that is pleasing in Your sight, never letting me fall astray. Give me the sight tosee the goodness in me andin the people that I meet every day, whether it is my family, co-workers, classmates, friends and loved ones. Teach me to be generous to those who need it. And help me to grow and be that wheat that You will keep ever at Your loving side. All this I pray for Your greater love and glory. Amen.

St. Samson, Bishop, pray for us.

*******

Sabbath is daily scripture book published by Shepherds Voice. The same publisher as the Companion. All their pulications are great!

Companion

Today, I am going to do my firt book review. This is a very simple book with very simple approach in living life through the Word of God. Sure, we should have our own personal Bible. But reading the Bible alone can sometimes leads to misunderstandin and confusion. I personally believe we need to reflect on God's word but my question before was simply HOW?

This book helped me a lot. Indeed, this My Companion.



Companion is a Catholic Scripture Diary. One book covers one quarter. In this issue, it't July, to September. The cover is usually colorful and pictures , I believe are carefully chosen to inspire us and give us encouragement to read. I often look at the pictures every time I read at night. The pictures here depicts love, care , compassion and simple beauty; which our God is.



Here, is Mr. Bo Sanchez. He is the man behind Shepherds Voice Publication. I wish to meet him , if God's allows. (^^) In the introductory page, Bo shares his letters he received containing lovely and wonderful changed life.



Perhaps the best thing in this book is this!
I have to confess that I am still starting out with my faith and my relationship with our Lord. For newbies like me, I was so clueless how to read and what to prepare before reading the Bible. I didn't even know that someone has to pray first before reading the Bible. This opened my eye and opened my soul in accepting God's good word.

This page has the Five Steps in Using the Companion. The stepds are so easy to follow. Wow! The steps starts with 1. Prayer, 2. Read, 3. Read Didache (review to follow later) 4. Write, 5. Pray Again.

A little closer look...



Companion allows you to make a Personal Mission Statement (The ultimate purpose of my life). I haven't made mine. God will reveal it in His time. So you should not be discouraged when you don't know yet and the statement can be a process as you mature in our faith. This is what I learned. Below is the Goals for the Quarter. Simple this targets the priority areas God wants us to work on. Isn't this pracatical and simple?



Above is the Prayer Sheet. Things you need to pray for regularly. Below the headings are tables - the first table is the Date, then the Personal Need, Date the prayer is answered.



Next feature is the "daily page". The approach of the companion is Reflection-God's Word- Praise- Reflection-God's Word - Reflection. Reflection includes 1.God's Special Verse/Thought for you Today and 2. The Reflection provided already.
Based on my experience, sometimes the reflection provided is also my special verse. It doesn't really matter.



The Sabbath Pause. From the name itself, this is a weekly pause. This pause allows you to reflect on the previous week's life. And to most of all, this give you the time to prepare for the next week's life. This is so great!!!!!! Personally, this gives me strength to continue and face the week with God's blessing! It's a good way to start the week.



The last final pages of Companion end with the Review of the Quarter. Here, you can review wether you achieved your goal which you have written on the first page. Just like the Sabbath Pause, this final page also prepares you for the next quarter.

I have never thought maturing in faith and being closer to God can be so organized just like when we attend meetings or events. It's simple and so organized. If you diligently give time for this, there's no reason you wont grow in faith. I am so amzed by this at first, because I had no idea this kind of approach can be done... I mean, it makes me feel I have a homework to do everyday. But this homework gives me peace. A pause from the busy life in the city... and to spend time with our Creator!

Lastly the price is reasonable. For the whole quarter you'll be paying P120 only.

I am recommending this book for those people who are still starting and finding their way.. and for those people who has found the way but continue to walk. This is you COMPANION!

Praise the Lord and God bless you!

I Don't Want to Go (Avalon)

My friend suggested me to listen to this song. Unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury of time to check YouTube. However, I checked the lyrics first to savor it more when the melody is there.Here goes..


You changed my world
When You came to me
You drove a passion
In my soul down deep
Lord, to follow You in everything

CHORUS:
I don't want to go somewhere
If I know that You're not there
'Cause I know that me without You is a lie
And I don't want to walk that road
Be a million miles from home
'Cause my heart needs to be where You are
So I don't want to go

So come whatever
I'll stick with You
I'll walk, You'll lead me
Call me crazy or a fool
For forever I promise you that...

CHORUS

Without Your touch
Without Your love
Filling me like an ocean
For Your grace is enough
Enough for me
To never want to go somewhere
If I know that You're not there



And since I didn't have the chance to reflect on this nor feel this sink in into my heart, I can't comment much. There's a line though that catches me. The line I Italized "'Cause I know that me without You is a lie". It reminds me of the worldly things we all want to achieve versus the real things that last forever and give us eternal peace. Yes! The wordly things are lies. Look how much we spend to clothes or other material things. This gives us pleasure and happiness. But it is undeniable doesn't last forever, sometimes not even for days.. and then we need more to fill that emptiness. Not even achievement gives you inner peace... ^^


You may check YouTube and feel this song more. Tell me about it.

Till then, God bless you always..

Letter from God to You

We do have our own times of trials and rainy days.
Almost three months ago I had my own trials especially in my workplace.
I was so down. I was on verge of breaking and thinking of resigning.
I felt betrayed by someone whom I gave my trust.

I prayed and prayed. I knew in my heart God is listening but sometimes we can be so impatient. I prayed for guidance and strength on what action to take. And God was telling me to fight, not to quit for I trully believe I had done nothing wrong. I was just betrayed.

I fought to may last strength. I gave it all. It was a tough fight. I was so down i shed tears.
After fighting this battle, in my mind I talked to God exacly like this .. " God, I have done what you have told me to do- to fight, even if I am weak and wanted to quit. I am tired Lord but I followed you. I have no strength to fight now. But I did what you said. I am just tired in this battle. I dont know what will happen next. I did my best.. my very best. But i feel alone in this battle. I feel like I am fighting this alone... I am tired.. but I followed you..."

After saying this, I just closed my eyes and sigh. I told myself "I did my part". God knows that. Tears were about to fall from my eyes when uttered that...


After a few minutes of saying that.. for almost one hour after, my cell beeped. I got a text message from one of my brothers the religious community I attend.
The text message goes ..

Dear Mighty Soldier,

I see that you are tired. But don't drop your sword nor put down your shield. Just dont worry about the fight. After all, it's not your battle. It's mine! All you have to do is to be in the battle field. Then against the thousand who tried to destroy you. There I will stand and rescue you. Winning this requires you neither only me nor you alone. But rather me and you. Just do your best and I'll take care of the rest.

Your Commander,
Jesus Chirst


I cried halfway reading the text message. I felt that God answered everything I told Him, every line was addressed clearly. Isn't that amazing!? A miracle in its own little way...Praise the Lord for this!
It gave peace through the battle and strength to move on. God is listening. This is the lesson for all of us! He hears!

Now, things are better. I prayed for love so I can forgive the person who betrayed me. It's not easy to completely erase the anger and the pain in my heart. But with prayers, my desire is to forgive and to be forgiven. Forgiveness defines God.
I remembered Jesus was betrayed by Judas- It's the same story as mine..(^^)

Life Is Unpredictable

Life is unpredictable.
Anything could just happen.
It might be success or a mess.
But for as long as were leaning on the Lord's side.
We will win.
Because God never loses a battle.

(Sent by Bro. Arnel)

(I took the picture above in one of the beaches in Argao, Cebu. I was fascinated by the subject. Simple yet it sends a message.

Pause!

Practice the PAUSE!
When in doubt, PAUSE;
When angry, PAUSE;
When tired, PAUSE;
When stressed, PAUSE;
And when you PAUSE,
PRAY.
Then smile.
LAUGH!
God bless!


(Sent By. Bro Roy)