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Tuesday, July 04, 2017

What Manner of Man is This?

"What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!" Matthew 8:27


Imagine some very experienced, rugged, seasoned fishermen going out into waters they are familiar with. A great storm arose, and the boat was covered with waves. Jesus, who was with them, was asleep. He was, after all, very tired, and had wanted to escape for a little while from the crowds that followed Him everywhere He went, clamoring for attention, for healing, for answering their many questions. Imagine how tired He was that He did not wake up with the tumult of the storm, tossing and tilting their boat! The disciples had to shake Him awake, "Save us, Lord, we are perishing!" He arose, rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. 

Sometimes when God does not answer our prayers, we say He is not listening or He is sleeping. Jesus only slept because He was a man while on earth. He had all the limitations of our physical bodies which get tired and weary. Now He is not bound by the earth and we can depend on Him not to get tired or weary. We should always have the mindset that nothing is impossible with God. He can command not only the winds, and the sea, but even fires, missiles, the predicted "Big Earthquake", and even meteors hurtling to earth.  When He allows disasters, misfortunes, tragedies and reversals, we can and should ask, "Why did God allow this? Is there something I need to learn? About Him? About myself? What is His purpose?" We should go closer to God instead of farther, knowing when bad things happen, He is closer than a prayer.


My 90 year old dad had a fall a couple of months ago, and this gave him so much pain at the start, and even now he is trying to regain his strength, and his loss of weight. But he asked, "Why did this happen to me? Why is my caregiver, Jay, a welder as well?" I am sure He asked God many more questions, but from these 2 questions, my dad came up with the answer that he now could make a Murphy bed. And so in his lanai, there now stands a Murphy bed, a pull down bed that is great for a little studio. He has plans to produce this and sell it. Is it any wonder I admire my dad so much? He is always open to the opportunities God gives him! Even if that opportunity comes cloaked in a seeming misfortune. 

Lord, may I always have a heart of faith, seeing You for who You really are. May I not forget that You are with me whatever happens! 
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Monday, July 03, 2017

The Capstone

"...with Jesus Christ as the capstone." Ephesians 2:20


In my other Bible, it reads, "corner stone". It may also be called a foundation stone. It is supposedly the first stone set in place when a building foundation is constructed. All other stones will be placed in reference to this stone. 

When we are part of God's household, "fellow citizens with the Saints" as Saint Paul calls us, we are part of this building, a holy temple. We are one of the stones, built upon the apostles, the saints, the martyrs who spilled their blood for the Lord, the nameless faithful who persevered and ran the race to the finish line. 



Jesus is the cornerstone, the standard by which we must live our life. I like playing Jenga where you tap and pull out wooden pieces and hope the tower of blocks doesn't fall. We usually choose blocks nearer the top, and never do we choose to remove a block from the bottommost layer or the whole structure will fall. Without Jesus as the cornerstone, the yardstick, the model, the whole Church would topple. But we need to do our part as well. We wouldn't want to be the wobbly stone that is easily tapped and removed! 

Lord, may we learn to follow You faithfully so we may be part of Your holy temple. May we not be shaken with any tempest or storm but remain steadfast, always looking to You as our model. 
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Sunday, July 02, 2017

God's Bigger Shovel

"He who welcomes you, welcomes me..." Matthew 10:40



There are instances in the Bible where people feed or house strangers and they get a wonderful gift they never expect. When Abraham invited 3 strangers for a meal, he and Sarah got a son, Isaac. In 2 Kings chapter 4, a woman provided Elisha a little room in her house where he could rest just because she perceived he was a holy man of God. In a year, she too received the gift of a son. 

Jesus said in the following verse, "He who welcomes a prophet because he bears the name of prophet receives a prophet's reward (Matthew 10:41)." It is obvious we have a responsibility to care for those who bring the good news to us and to others. When we welcome a preacher, or a priest into our home, we welcome Christ. That preacher or priest, just like the apostles, are not perfect, but I think we may call them holy because they choose to carry God's Word, like the Ark of the Covenant. 



R. G. LeTourneau said, "I shovel out the money, and God shovels it back, but God has a bigger shovel." He gives 90% of the income he receives from his 300 patented inventions to the Lord's work. There are many inspiring stories of people who give not only money but their very lives to build God's Kingdom. 

Lord, I thank You for the many inspiring people we can look up to. May we, like them, use whatever we have to give You glory and stand with You. 

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Friday, June 30, 2017

Make Me Clean

"Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Matthew 8:2



It was a leper who asked for healing from Jesus. During Jesus' time, lepers were shunned as outcasts and cast out to live in the fringes. They walked among the dead even while still alive. Leprosy is infectious from continuous contact of the skin and droplets from the nose and mouth of the sick person. It is a disease not only of the skin but also of the nervous system. A leper cannot feel pain and that is why he can easily hurt himself. He can pick up a pan of boiling water with his bare hands. He can be bitten by a wild dog and not feel pain. 

Leprosy can be compared to sin. If we always hang out with people who curse, lie, take drugs, and do bad things, we will eventually think it is all right to do the same. Our soul gets disfigured and damaged, and our conscience dulled. We will not be able to recognize that there is something wrong and we need saving. Like the insidious leprosy, sin starts small and spreads leading to other sins, if we are not careful.  


Thank You for the gift of pain that keeps us from physical harm. We especially are grateful for the pain we feel when we are separated from You. We need You to save us from the consequences of our sin, Lord! 





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Thursday, June 29, 2017

Gluebooks make Me Happy!


I have been gluing pictures on notebooks and journals 
ever since I was young. 
Today, there's a name for it- gluebooks! 
It's really just a collage of anything and everything 
that inspires you or intrigues you or interests you. 


Before I throw a magazine or brochure 
I tear the pages with pictures I like. 
I also cut out articles or quotations, 
things people say that make me think, 
colors and textures and objects. 

Then I make a composition on a page before I glue it down. 

The thing about gluebooks is it's so much fun to make. 
You just can't make a mistake! 
We can be like little kids, 
cutting and pasting, cutting and pasting! 


You don't even have to have a method or a theme, 
or even correct color combinations! 
If it makes you happy, go for it!  
For some people who don't like writing,
Gluebooks are perfect! 


What I like about Gluebooks is 
you don't have to buy anything expensive.
Any old notebook will do! 
As a matter of fact you can even use an old book!
Here, I am using our 2017 papemelroti Anniversary journal
because of it's thick pages which won't crumple
no matter how much I choose to glue on it.


If you want to see more pictures of Gluebooks,
or want to know more, visit these sites:

Free e-book
Lisa Vollrath's Gluebooks
A Gluebook Flipthrough
Gluebooks on Youtube
A whole lot of examples!

You may want to see 
other do it yourself projects at



Take a Look Tuesday All Star Blogger Block Party 

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife 
Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts


TGIF Linky Party at Craft JunkieLink Up with Liz Marie
Share it Friday at MeloMommaFlaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring
Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme
Show Off Friday  Sassy SitesPotpourri friday @ 2805
Fave Crafts Homemaker on a Dime  Check Me Out Saturday

Blessings,
Patsy




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The Good Fight!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7



The 2nd letter to Timothy was probably the last that Saint Paul wrote. He encouraged Timothy to be faithful, to be strong, to continue to teach the truth to people who will pass on the light of the gospel to others. Paul also wrote, "In the last days, people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will slander others...be cruel and have no interest in what is good....You must stay away from people like that." 

Paul certainly seems to be describing what is happening now. He saw the future and that future is here. It can only get worse with the way many people have no compunction to tell the truth anymore. Even people who call themselves Christians spread fake news with impunity,  and destroy peoples' good names with glee. They defend abortion and extrajudicial killings and declare what is evil in God's sight good. There is so much to meditate on in Saint Paul's last words. 

Lord, whatever evil is happening around me, in my country, in the world, may I be able to declare like Saint Paul, "As for me, my life has already been poured out as a libation, an offering to God...I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. And now the prize awaits me... the prize is not just for me but for ALL who eagerly look forward to His glorious return."
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Wednesday, June 28, 2017

WOYWW: You Will Know Them

What's on my desk?
I am searching for a picture in my "hands" envelope.
Because i need to draw something to do with fruit!
Well, I decided to go with a picture of a woman praying.
Here I am tracing the picture on to my Bible.

Now to use paint, and below, a dark brown pencil to outline.


"You will know them by their deeds." Matthew 7:8


In most versions of the Bible, this verse is translated as, "You will know them by their fruits." I like reading about saints and one of the most interesting is Saint Joseph of Cupertino. His mother thought him a nuisance and always tried to get rid of him, sending him off to monks to be a servant. He was a slow learner and sometimes had a bad temper. Eventually he learned humility and began to enjoy praying while working hard in the Franciscan monastery. 

No one who knew him would have thought he had the ability to become a priest. But God wanted him, and in his exam, he was asked the only question he knew well! He fell so deeply in love with God that he would often rise off the ground in rapture when he was in prayer or when he was saying mass. People would come in droves that the Franciscans decided to keep him in seclusion. 


In contrast, we have the Chinese missionaries from the Back to Jerusalem mission. They are like worms, ants, or termites who move secretly and quietly to do God's work underground. We do not hear of their work, but they are tunneling their way through the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the strongholds of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. The same way they have established underground fellowships and churches in China, they are doing the same in other countries. One day we will see visible signs of their deeds. 

Lord, may I also do my part to build Your Kingdom here on earth. Show me the way I can take Your banner proudly where You lead. May I bear good fruit, may I sow good seed. 




Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 
peek at desks and projects!
I find a lot of inspiration
visiting my friends here:

Blessings!
Patsy  
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Tuesday, June 27, 2017

No Strife

"Let there be no strife between you and me..." Genesis 13:8


Abram, and Lot, their families, servants and livestocks, travelled to Bethel. There Abram built an altar as was his habit every time they camped at a new place. But both Abram and Lot were very wealthy and had many flocks and herds and their herdsmen would get into arguments. What did Abram do? Did he lord it over his nephew Lot and command him to leave? "God promised me this land! You just came along for the journey!!! Get out and stay out!" No, he very generously let Lot choose which section of land he wanted. 

We can see how committed to God Abram was, how he placed his full trust in Him who had a plan for his life! He stood on God's promises! He was not insecure, fearful, or greedy. I know of many families who have placed their desire for more wealth and property over love of family. One woman I know lived with her family in a shack for many years because her brother had all the titles to the family land and refused to divide the inheritance fairly. There are so many bizarre cases in courts about families feuding over millions and billions and hectares of property, and once successful family businesses floundering when there is disunity among the third generation. 

May we be like Abraham, Lord, our spiritual father, and learn to fully trust in You, knowing our future is in Your hands. May we be generous and kind hearted as You are generous and kind hearted. May we be wise to see the world and its enticements as it truly is, and not be lured by its fake attractions. 
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Monday, June 26, 2017

Father Abraham

"Abraham, all the families of the earth shall find blessing in you." 
Genesis 12:3


When Abram was 75 years old, he heard God tell him to leave everything that is familiar and go to a land God would show him. Back then, there was no google, no waze, no newspapers even, to give Abram any answers to the many questions that he certainly would have. I am 60 as I delight in telling everyone who cares to know, and I cannot imagine uprooting myself and my family to leave my comfortable home, business, community, and friends, to start anew in a place that God calls me to. 

But Abram's obedience brings blessing not only to himself but to "all families of the earth"! Obedience seems to be the key to unlock God's many promises! Abraham's story can be ours too if we only listen and obey. For each one one of us, God has a dream, a plan, a vision, where we can use up all the talents, gifts and resources He has lavished us with. If we follow Him, He will bring us on adventures that will make us grow and bloom. 

Father, may we be brave enough to seek Your plan for us. May we embrace all that You have for us. May we overcome any fear we have in the unknown and place our trust in You. 
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Sunday, June 25, 2017

My Father's Eyes

"Not a single sparrow falls to the ground without Your Father's consent."  
Matthew 10:29



Do we really believe that everything, big and small, that happens to us is known by God, is allowed by God? For that is what this verse implies. When a strand of hair falls from our head, or even an eyelash. If a mosquito bites us. If it's taking us forever to get a cab. When we get an autoimmune condition with no cure. 

Our only son Josh is graduating today at the University of the Philippines. He took Computer Science and he's graduating with honors. You can imagine how thrilled and proud we are. I remember when I almost lost him. He was a cute little baby, so smiley and charming, and had such a good disposition. I was right beside him when he was playing with a lion clip which I thought was too big for him to swallow. I turned my eyes away for a moment, and when I looked back at him, he looked as if he was about to vomit. I did not have any inkling whatsoever that he was choking on that clip! All I made sure of was I would not get vomit all over me or the bed. I carried him facing away from me to the sink,  pressing into his rib cage in the perfect position for the Heimlich maneuver! Out popped the clip! I was so surprised. Up till then I did not realize the danger my darling son was in! 

How many dangers have we been in that God has rescued us from ? Doctors say that there are so many diseases we are healed from that we don't know about. There are documented cases of life threatening diseases that go away spontaneously. My husband almost got into a serious accident on the hi way last week that would have changed our lives. So how about those awful things that happen that God doesn't prevent? Does it mean He wasn't watching out for us for a second? 

Chiara Petrillo was 28 when she died from carcinoma in her tongue that had spread to her liver, lungs and one eye. Previous to that she had lost two children with malformations right after she gave birth.  “You can be happy already in this world, in spite of everything. If eternity is your reference point, everything that happens is actually very little," she declared with conviction. "Whatever you do, it will only be meaningful if you think about eternal life. If you truly love, you will realize that nothing belongs to you, because everything is a gift.”

Lord, may I see my life as a gift. You watch over me and You allow only what is good from Your perspective of eternity! 
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Friday, June 23, 2017

Special Treasure

"It was not because you are the largest of the nations that the Lord has set His heart on you and chose you..." Deuteronomy 7:7


It was not because you are the most beautiful that the Lord set His heart on you and chose you... It was not because you are the smartest, the most industrious, the tallest, the most talented, the most eloquent speaker, or even the one who prays the longest or studies the Bible the most diligently. Indeed the Lord set His heart on us and chose us simply because He loves us (Dt.7:8) and because of promises He gave. 

It says in verse 6, that God has chosen us to be His own special treasure, a people peculiarly His own. He declared this to the Jews, but by adoption, we share in His treasures, "for everything He gives to His Son Jesus, is ours as well" (Romans 8:15-16). As anyone who has adopted a child knows, it is costly not only monetarily but emotionally. How much more for God who gave His only begotten Son so that He could adopt us (Galatians 4:5). God sent Jesus down on earth so we could be free. 

Thank You Lord for choosing me. Thank You for doing everything so I can be Your beloved daughter, precious in Your sight. I know You will do everything to bring me into Your Kingdom. 
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Thursday, June 22, 2017

WOYWW: Secret Prayer

I finally bought one of these.
I was going to wait till IKEA came to the Philippines, but it's taking forever! 
I wanted the cute turquoise Råskog trolley but settled for this grey one instead. It was on sale and only P2000 ($40). If I bought the IKEA one online, it would have cost me P5900 ($118). 

(Below) This is what's on the top- paints and brushes and a big pack of tissues to clean up! 



"Abba, Father," Matthew 6:9


When we come to God in prayer, do we talk to Him like a child trusting in a Father's goodness and His desire to give us His best? Do we believe He is truly listening and our every petition, big and small, reaches His ears and commands His utmost attention? Do we know that we have access to Him even when we are unworthy, dirty, and at odds with seemingly the whole world? 

I read somewhere that the "Our Father" was only taught to the first Christians after years of learning, and after their baptism. It was a sort of secret prayer. But we learned this as a child, and it has become so familiar that we recite it without much thought. Back in Jesus' day, and even today, Jews couldn't even say God's name, the four letter YHVH. They even write G_d, instead of spelling His name out. 

For the Jews, a name is not just what somebody or some thing is called, but a name conveys the nature and the essence of the person or thing. It includes even the reputation and the history. So when G_d's name is on a piece of paper, the Jews have to treat  that paper with respect. 

Perhaps that's one reason why the Pharisees wanted to destroy Jesus. They thought He was a radical out to destroy their cherished beliefs and traditions. They missed out on what He wanted to give them and us- access to an intimate relationship with our Abba Father! 

Abba Father, may I get to know You more and more each day! Thank You Jesus for teaching me a secret prayer. Many know it now, but if I keep praying and listening to You, I am sure I will get to know more and more of Your secrets! 


Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 
peek at desks and projects!
I find a lot of inspiration
visiting my friends here:

Blessings!
Patsy  
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