In "other" Words: A Noble Task

Parenting is a noble task and a responsibility. There’s a book I’ve read that says, what our children become as adults and individuals are results of our parenting. Parenting is investing in helping our child LEAVE us. As I ponder on this, I felt sad but it’s the truth. We are chosen by God to be the parents of our children because He believes that we can do that noble task. Being a parent is one great opportunity to raise an individual God designed him or her to be. Our children will not forever be dependent on us, they will grow and will have to be responsible for themselves. We will not forever hold their hands to feed them or guide them. Our only reward as parents is when we release them from our hands, when we let them go at the right time to journey on their own lives, and we will see that they are journeying on the path God designed for them because we were able to prepare them.

How sad that others got married without the desire to become parents. It’s also breaks my heart to hear stories of women longing to have a child of their own but not fortunate to have one. As for me, I’m thankful that God blessed me with a daughter. I know that she is a responsibility but I see it a wondrous taks and I humbly and gladly taking it for I know that God will be there. He will be my constant companion in raising my daughter to what God wants her to be.

“Dear Lord,
I do not ask that Thou shouldst give me
some high work of thine,
some noble calling
or some wondrous task.
Give me a little hand to hold in mine.”

Anonymous

This weeks quote is from Nina of Mama’s Little Treasures “. Visit to read more entries.

In Other Words: Perseverance

"By perserverance the snail reached the ark."
~Charles Spurgeon~

What is perseverance?

Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience, endurance.

Perseverance is being able to bear difficulties calmly and without complaint.

Perseverance is trying again and again

These are just some of the things that explain perseverance.

It’s not always easy to persevere. Sometimes, it’s easier for people to give up when trapped in difficult situations…when problem arises…It’s easy to give up than to go on. It’s easy to do our own human ways rather than wait for the Lord’s direction when we’re caught between difficult circumstances…and when we fail; we lose hope, and just give up. But God do not want us to just quit and retreat. He is encouraging us to wait, trust, and persevere. Just like the snail in Noah’s time.

As for me, whenever I am faced with challenging situations, I asked God to give me the patience to endure. To give me wisdom to know the things He wanted me to learn from a particular situation. There are several instances that I almost quit but God kept on reminding me of his words in Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I can’t help but put this in the picture. The Philippines is one of the countries in world who suffer from economic problems. We are one of the countries who are very much affected of the rice shortage. Prices of commodities are rising and continuously on their way up. The poor are suffering and the rich are doing great. The reason why more and more Filipinos are leaving our country, more and more are losing hope for our nation. But for me, our country may look hopeless but I know that God doesn’t look at it that way. That’s why in our church we are taught to love our country and keep on praying for it. We are encouraged to strengthen our faith and not be moved.

My hope is in the Lord. My identity as Christian, as His daughter is one way to remind me that I am more than conqueror in this world. That I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. When we trust...wait...obey and persevere…there’s no way that God’s heart won’t be touched and rescue us from whatever difficult situation we are into. Perseverance with trust is the key to a greater glory.



This week's host is Debbie of Chocolate and Coffee. She has chosen a quote that comes from a book called "The Fruit of Her Hands" by Nancy Wilson.

In Other Words: Being an example

"Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,

think on these things."

Philippians 4:8

On being a mom....
I've been a temporary single parent since my husband left to work abroad. And because of that, I was left alone raising a growing child. For me it's really a challenge.

It always come on me that I need to be a good example to my daughter. Because what she sees or hears from me is what she'll think is right. That's why I am so careful. Specially in the choices of words when I'm talking to her or to anyone when she's around, in the TV shows that I watch, in the things that I read, in the manner that I'm dealing with her nanny, etc. I want her to be imitator of God's character. I want the knowledge of God to be her foundation and I want her to see that through me as an example. That's why everyday I'm assessing my self if I'm keeping on the right track. I share this as well to her nanny so that she'll be aware of the things I want my daughter to learn by example.

On being a career person...

Being in a corporate world is quite a challenge as well. Having to work with different kind of personalities. That's why even before, I wrote this verse on a sticky note and put it in front of my computer monitor...just a way to remind my self on how I should deal with the different kinds of people I work with and I meet...and to my work in general.

I'm thankful because God gave us this verse as a pattern on how we should deal with our thoughts...filtering them with only the true, honest, just, pure, lovely, thoughts from God...


This week, Nina is hosting "In 'Other' Words" at her site, Mama's Little Treasures. She has chosen a quote that comes from a chapter in The Last Lecture called "Romancing the Brick Wall."

In "Other"Word: Live Like No One Else

"If you'll live like no one else, then later you can live like no one else."
~ Dave Ramsey ~

This quote reminds me of the ant in Proverbs 6:6

…look at an ant.
Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.
Nobody has to tell it what to do.
All summer it stores up food;
at harvest it stockpiles provisions."

Dave Ramsey is such an amazing encourager to people who wants to get out of debt and those who wants financial peace. I’ve not yet read his book but I saw one of his online video clips His lively and compelling views on financial wisdom will leave you feeling like there is really is hope for your financial situation no matter how bad it is. His principle is true that when we sacrifice now, we’ll have our reward tomorrow. But few are willing to sacrifice now. Instead they enjoy life….to the fullest. Instead they hold on to the quote that says: “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow they will die. “ Poor decision.

God want us to have the good life he intends us to have. It’s just a matter of decisions and choices. God does not want us living in debt, broke…nor living merely just to get by. He wants an abundant life for his children. And getting the life he wants for us is not hard to achieve if we are willing to work on it…and sacrifice. Being practical is not bad. Spending wise is a plus. Saving for the rainy days is one good practice we should start. Be a good steward of the resources and blessings He entrusted us. Being spendthrift is one good point also.

I personally am encouraged to try Dave’s principles, specially the “Debt Snowball” process. It will be tough for me especially I’m just starting. But I know it’s just a matter of consistency, self-control and self-discipline. If we really want to live like no one else in order to live like no one else later, we should start doing what needs to be done today. We have to have the courage to take on the necessary steps if we want that life God wants us to have.

This week's IOW quote was chosen by Amy of In Pursuit of Proverbs 31. She has chosen a quote by Dave Ramsey.

In "other"Words: Knowing God more and more

One of the most wonderful things about knowing God is that there's always so much more to know, so much more to discover.Just when we least expect it, He intrudes into our neat and tidynotions about who He is and how He works.
~ Joni Eareckson Tadaby ~

Two of the characters of God that I have tested and proven are His faithfulness and kindness. Some of His characters that never changes overtime. He has been faithful to me and gracious and kind in forgiving me whenever I fall.

And overtime, God is gradually showing himself more to me as I allow my self to seek Him. When I accepted Him as my personal Lord, he reveals himself to me as a Savior. And as I seek Him, I’m learning more of His characters…His never changing nature. His love that is so steadfast…that He is slow to anger and abounding in love. He’s power so great…that he can be the King of kings but He can also be our daddy and friend at the same time…

We can never say that we are already filled with the knowledge of God, because we can’t. Indeed there are so much more to know and so much to discover about our maker. There’s a saying which goes, the created cannot be more knowledgeable than his creator. And it’s true. He works on ways we cannot expect. God is truly amazing.

Being part of the worship ministry in our church, I am just so thankful at how God reveals himself to me that I am able to share it to the people as I minister to them. And every time I prepare my line up of songs, each time is a different theme about Him. I am just amazed at how God is really so wonderful. And none can really compare to Him.

And this is for sure…if we have this kind of knowledge about God we can truly depend on His word that says:

“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

God can be anything or anybody for us at every circumstances or situations we are into.

This week's IOW is hosted by Susan of Forever His . She has chosen a quote by Joni Eareckson Tadaby.

In "Other" Words: Don't asked, just TRUST

We are enrolled in this school we call LIFE. And since it’s a school, it’s coupled with various kinds of tests. But it seems that it’s quite hard for people to accept this fact sometimes. When faced with tests, we get nuts!

Trusting God is not always easy...often times we do things our own way. It's easier for us to manage our lives and not have FAITH. People tend to go on with their everyday lives carrying along their own plans and when things go wrong and gets out of hand that's when they beg for God's help…and when help seem to come not as instant as we want it to be, we tend to choose to walk away from God.

I admire the faith of Abraham. He went through the most difficult test of his life, but instead of questioning God or get mad, he chose to believe the promise of God and he trusted completely. He believed that God will fulfill it although he asked him to sacrifice Isaac. He did not walk away. He just trusted and obeyed.

People in the bible are ordinary people, like us. But God gave them to us as our examples. They went through test before, and we will also face different kinds of tests now. What’s important is how we respond to these tests…What’s our attitude in the midst of trials and difficulties? Are we responding like what the people in the bible did? We should. The ultimate response it to TRUST God. Because His word says it all:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything..” James 1:2-4

When we are tested, we are broken. But isn’t it much better to be broken knowing that our lives are held and being crafted by the Potter? We are like jars of clay that the potter molds. When a pot accidentally fell and broke, the potter pick up the broken pieces, molds it back into it's old form but even much better than before. The potter won’t stop molding us until we are perfect. It’s amazing how He can turn our broken pieces into a wonderful work of art! That is IF we’ll let God pick our broken pieces together and allow Him to put them back again.

Let us not be scared in facing trials. Let’s TRUST our God because he is our maker and He knows what’s best for us.

Nina is hosting this week's "In 'Other' Words" at her site, Mama's Little Treasures . She has chosen a quote from "What I Learned from God While Quilting" by Ruth McHaney Danner & Cristine Bolley.

In "Other" Words: I am LIMITED

"We leave something incomplete everyday, whether it's an area of housework, school, work, friendship, ministry ~because we are finite"

~from The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer~

Let’s all admit…no matter how hard we try to do everything, we CAN’T. Our strength is INADEQUATE. Our capabilities, RESTRICTED. Our all is NOT ENOUGH to do everything in a day. We all have our daily unfinished businesses--because we are LIMITED.

Engulfed by my daily activities, I sometimes wish I’m a superhero who can do several things in just a blink of an eye. But I can’t, because I’m only human...and I.AM.LIMITED.

I play multiple roles and wear multiple hats each day. I believe we all do. We have our own LONG list of things to-do everyday that demands our time and if we'll only focus on this list, we might caught ourselves staring on it blankly; overwhelmed, feel stressed out, weary, exhausted, and regret that there’s so much to do yet so little time. But when we acknowledge that we are limited, God is there to remind us that my He is UNLIMITED. He is the ONLY infinite being--the ONE who has infinite wisdom, infinite strength, infinite ALL.

I am relieved knowing that I can trust an infinite God to help me. It’s the fact that brings JOY in doing my every task. Putting him on top of my list gets me more accomplished every day.

We will always have “incomplete” tasks. It’s all right because we are limited. But we can look at this as something to be thankful for. Why? Because it means we will have something to look forward to…another day to live and fulfill our duties…Another day to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives. What’s important is that we live each day with God. Putting Him first in our lives. That no matter what happens…we are self-assured that our days are worth spent. That when that time comes when we have to leave this world, we can face God and say that we have lived our lives well. We have spent worthy and pleasing lives on earth.

But for the meantime, as we play our multiple roles, let us accept the fact that we are FINITE. God knows are limitations and weaknesses but He promised us that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. (Philippians 4:13)

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This week's quote is chosen by Lori of All You Have to Give. She has chosen a quote from The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer.

In "Other"Words: Miracles do happen

"Miracles have happen when God's people come together in prayer"

~ Billy Graham ~

When I was in the midst of an unhealthy relationship, I prayed that God would take me out and give me peace. He answered by allowing me to meet a very good friend, now my husband. Who was God's answer to my prayers. When our daughter was diagnosed of neonatal siezure, we prayed earnestly for God's healing upon her...her lab tests resulted negative. I can add more to my list of answered prayers and my only point here is...there is really POWER in prayer.

Some people take prayer lightly. Some take it as the last resort. Some people only pray when they found themselves helpless. When they're already feeling low and spent..when they are already at witsend. It's as if saying "I have done everything I could, Lord...I'm allowing you to do yours now."...this shouldn't be the case, but most often than not this is what we do.

Praying should be one of our duty as Christians. Cause when we pray, God reveals himself to us. The more time we spent in prayer the more God reveals himself. And through that, we are having a wonderful relationship to the father. We are able to know his views on our everyday decisions and we are getting his answers from our different situations. With time spent talking to God we will be able to praise and worship Him in spirit and in truth. And miracles big or small happens when people seeks God through prayer.

I have also my list of unanswered prayers, but this doesn't keep me from spending time with him because it teaches me about waiting...

This week's quote was from , Christelle of Beloved Mama. She has chosen a quote by Billy Graham.

In "Others" Words: The Powerful Prayer of Mothers

"Momma prayed, momma cried, momma laid awake at night.
She would fight my battles while I slept away cause momma knew life is hard without somebody on your side.
I don't know how, but there is power in the way,
The way my momma prayed."
~words and music by Jeremiah Olson of 40milesNorth ~

Last week I bought a book entitled: Psalms for Mothers..I forgot the name of the author but I love how she collected the verses and the points she shared for mothers to ponder. It was not brand new but there's one point which struck me and made me continue reading on.

The author was right when she said that none can compare to a mother's prayer. And when I read the quote above, indeed it is true that mothers are great prayer-makers. One look on our child as they leave for school, play with their friends, even while sleeping can bring a prayer to our lips. The mother prays constantly for her child to be protected from any harm, for God's guidance whenever she can't be there physically for her children, to bless their lives that they may be able to provide for their needs, to give them good health. A mother prays that her children will grow in the way God would want them to be. She prays that God will give her wisdom and knowledge that she will be able to raise her children in God's direction. These are indeed the same things I'm praying for my daughter...everyday.

Morning and night, I pray for my daughter because I believe that it's the only thing I can do for her. I know that her life is not ours to control or to hold in our hands. Our children belongs to God's, and they are just loans of love to us parents. And how we raised them is what God wants to see when they grow up...it's also the measure of our being good stewards. Our pastor once said that a child is blessed if she has a mother who knows how to kneel and cry before God for their children...God hears a mother's prayer. God hears the cries of a mother's heart.

I have heard a lot of stories of successful persons just because they have their mothers praying behind them, and one of them is Lance Armstrong. A lot of winning stories of people...and the secret, prayerful mothers.

I know my daughter does not understand why, when sometimes she sees me kneeling or just eyes-closed and muttering words she cannot hear. She doesn't know that her mother is earnestly praying for her. When she sleeps, I pronounce blessing as I pray and lay my hands on her. I pray that someday, when she grow, she would also realize the power of prayer. And that she will also have a heart after God, a prayerful heart that she can also pass on to her children.

This week's IOW is hosted by Heather at her site, Titus 2 Woman. She has chosen the quote above which was from Jeremiah Olson of 40miles North.

In "other" Words: Beautiful Inside and Out

This week, Elisa of Extravagant Grace is the host of In "other" words. She has chosen a quote from Anne Ortlund's book "The Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman." This week's quote is:

"But remember, for all your adult life you'll be a woman. And how you live your life as a woman, all by yourself before God, is what makes the real you. Nothing on the exterior can touch or change that precious inner sanctuary, your heart, his dwelling place unless you let it. And God, who loves you very much has tailor made all your outer life, your circumstances, your relationships, to pressure you into becoming that beautiful woman he's planned for you to be."

~ Anne Ortlund ~

I remember a time I asked my self and God these questions: “Why did God created me as a woman? What is my purpose of living? If I were created the other way, how would my life be like? If I didn’t know Him earlier, would I be the same as I am now? But in time like this, I'll be reminded by God's words that says:

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:15-16 NIV)

and also this verse:

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 NIV)

I look at my self now and I know that I’m blessed because God created me a woman. When I accepted HIm as my personal Lord and savior, Ibegan to know why I am here. I started to know my purpose. All the difficulties and hardships I’ve gone through, all the experiences, all the things I’ve been through since I was a child until now has helped in shaping my whole being. I am not yet perfect but I am in the process of refinement and perfection…Though the world has its own perspective on beauty, I seek not to be blinded. I thank God for His grace...and everything that I am now is what He wanted me to become.I continuously seek to become a woman beautiful in God’s sight… inside and out.

In "Other" Words : Living in Complacency

This week's "In 'Other' Words" is hosted by debbie at her site, Chocolate and Coffee. She has chosen a quote from A.W.Tozer.

This week's quote is:

"I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Actue desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits for long, so very long, in vain."
~A.W.Tozer~

It’s sad but true. More and more Christians today are living in complacency. A life that is content in living at comfort zones. Not as zealous and on fire as the early Christians were. Some label this as living in a non-religious way…not thinking how far non-religious Christianity can go. Not realizing that they are already heading the wrong way…

I have seen a lot of people who have been in this situation. No more prayer life. Not even a minute to open their bibles. A church goer but not a worshipper. A Sunday Christian just living plain and they think it’s normal. I have also seen Christians in the corporate world, who can easily compromise their faith.

It’s true that when a Christian started living his life according to his own will, or if he thinks its okay to commit “little sins” and “white lies”, and if he thinks that its ok since his salvation cannot be taken away from him, it’s a disaster. Because the bible says salvation is not the end but the beginning of a new life. A life LIKE Christ’s. A holy and acceptable life before God. Its true that we’re just mere people, we can easily commit mistakes or sins. But let us not allow ourselves be trapped with this saying. It’s dangerous when we lose conviction from God in what we do or think or say. We should always guard our hearts and minds so that we will not give in to what the world is offering and live like ordinary people do. We should desire to live more and more like Christ.

In "Other" words -- a family of faith

This week's In Other Words is being hosted by Loni at her site, Writing Canvas. She has chosen a quote from the book: Family Driven Faith by Voddie T. Baucham, Jr. This week's quote is:

"A family without a commitment to the God of the Bible has
no hope of stemming the tide of cultural onslaught. If we mix a little biblical
truth, a little secular physchology, a little romance novel idology, and a
little eastern mysticism, we will get a deadly mixture of lies. Unfortunately,
this is what many Christian families do . . . If we are to experience
multigenerational faithfulness we must come to a place where we throw off the shackles of our culture and live in the fullness that is found only in Christ. We must be people who live the Word in our homes."

~By Voddie T. Baucham, Jr~

I belong to a family that is not perfect, even until now; I cannot say that it’s a perfect family. When we we’re young, my parents are not yet Christians but then I’m thankful that we were raised with good values.

Now that I already have my own family, it’s really a challenge. A challenge for us to raise our children with Christ-like character…a challenge to build a good foundation on our children…a challenge to be a living testimony and a good example to them…and a challenge to build a responsible and Godly family.

It helps a lot that our church is not the typical local churches today that only teach about prosperity, tithing or salvation. It teaches about biblical foundation, spiritual growth, discipline and foundation for Christian families. Because of that I am learning.

I’m thankful that my husband is a man of God….and we have the same FAITH…and this is what I kept on telling my sisters who are still single. That they should obey God in the area of relationship. This is the most critical part if one is planning to start a family. If not….it would be difficult…a REAL struggle. As the bible says..

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

[2 Corinthians 6:14/KJV]

Now, I am committed to kneel down and pray for my family everyday, specially our daughter. My prayer is that we’ll be able to raise our children in God’s way, through God’s words…that we will be a family that does not compromise the faith that we have.

The Proverbs 31 Woman

This week’s In Other Words is being hosted by Nina of mama’s little treasures . She has chosen this verse for us to ponder and write about.

"In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet."
Proverbs 31: 19 - 21 (NIV).

I have been a wife for two years and five months now…been a mother for one year and seven months now…and still counting. When I decided to settle down and start my own family, I knew that it would be a total redirection of priorities and balancing of my self. I want to be a good wife and mother as every woman on earth wanted to be. I expect it to be hard but fulfilling…and true enough.

Being a regular employee, working 8 hours a day, a church worker, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a wife with a husband working overseas, and a mother raising her daughter alone temporarily, time management is what keeps me aligned. I have been yearning to be a SAHM so that I can properly guide my daughter’s growing up years. But for now, I cannot. But I know that God has been so good and merciful to me. I was able to balance work and family life and can still get actively involved in my church ministry. I now know how to perfectly juggle my different roles.

As I re-read the passages above, I realized that God created all of us for a purpose…and that women play a vital role in this earth. That God gave us women a special ability on handling the multiple roles of our lives.

I am not a perfect wife or mother, but I’m learning and keep on seeking God’s guidance to be the best wife and mother for my husband and daughter. And with God’s guidance, I know I could be.

In "Other" Words

"Don't blame suffering in the world on the anger of God. He's not mad; he didn't mess up. Follow our troubles to their headwaters, and you won't find any angry or befuddled God. But you will find a sovereign God. Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate
toward one end -- the glory of God."
~Max Lucado, It's Not About Me~

I remember when I was there…in a situation that I thought God had left me. But I thanked God that he made me realized that all the pains that I gone through, in the end, served its purpose. And with that I could not but thank him because the pains have made me even a better person. It is during those times that I realized I couldn’t overcome without Him.

If only people all over the world would realized the same thing. Because as I have observed, people who are in pain, suffering or in great poverty. People who have lost their love ones, those who are battling from diseases, those who suffer from sickness, people who do not know the real God are most likely the same people who would immediately blame, murmur or charge God for what they’re going through. It’s easy to blame God when someone is lost, confused or in turbulent situations.

But my prayer is that people would realize that sufferings are not from God. That people will have a bigger picture of their situations. That instead of blaming God…thanked Him. And pray that amidst every hardship, they will still feel the comfort and security in God’s sweet embrace.