"When Writing Takes a Backseat"

"When Writing Takes A Backseat" 

There's one particular story in the Old Testament of the Bible that has captured my heart. It's the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob & Rachel in their old age. It is on tonight at TBN. If my memory serves me right, I've watched the movie every time it comes on television. There must be something I'm not fully grasping in the story that's why I keep on coming back for some more. Or may be I wanted some of the scenarios to be more admonishing, compelling...

So being a dreamer and having a gift to interpret dreams have become a nemesis to Joseph at first especially to his 11 brothers except Benjamin, his youngest brother. His brothers were so jealous of his natural gifts and also being Jacob's favorite son. Jacob made that known to everyone. Even made him a coat of many colors. A great reminder that he's the chosen one...And that God was with Joseph ...

Just imagine telling your brothers your dreams; one of which they were all in the field tying up sheaves of wheat when Joseph's sheaf got up and stood up straight while his brothers formed a circle around his and bowed down to it. His another dream centered on the same interpretation as Joseph saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him.The interpretation being Joseph will one day be a king and will rule over them and bow down unto him. Even his own father, Jacob, had apprehension and thought about the dream. Couldn't he have known that Joseph his son, has God's anointing and power? 

From thereon, the brothers whose names are: Reuben, Judah, Simeon, Levi, Gad, Dan, Napthali, Asher, Issachar &Zebulon had their hatred grown in propensity towards Joseph. So when they had a chance, they all decided to get rid of him once and for all. O f course we all know about Joseph being pushed down into the pit and later sold to Ismaelites who were traveling from Gilead to Egypt.

I think that the brothers' jealousy sprouted from their father loving Joseph more than them, obviously. People do many crazy things out of jealousy and discontentment. I never understand how Joseph never had a tinge of vengeance towards his brothers who've done him wrong when he could have his sweetest vengeance. I would have to believe that in Joseph's heart, he had only one thing--his obedience and faith in the Word of God. I have never read in the Bible where Joseph had become weary after experiencing one trial after the other. He remained true obeying God's will for his life.

I love the fact that Joseph had strongly refused Potiphar's wife alluring advances on him, seducing him...but failed each time. Joseph may have been imprisoned for Potiphar's wife lies about him but Joseph imprisonment will be his way out to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. Interpreting Pharaoh's dreams has led him to where God wants him...

In Genesis 50:20 says, "You intended to harm me but God intended it for good; He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Also in Romans 8:28 says, "All things work together for good to those who love God who are called according to his purpose. And of course we all know that taking the law into our own hands is never a preferred one.

Good night and thanks for reading.
You take care always. 

"Adjusting to Accepting Reality"

"Adjusting To Accepting Reality..."
  
As we get older, we look at life differently. We hope that we no longer get consumed and obsessed with accumulating things we don't really need; no longer get fixated and affected by people whose goals are to make us miserable because their own personal life reflect misery. That's pitiful and watch for those that wear cloaks whose main intentions are to harm you.

They say that getting older is a gift. In what sense? Well, you get to journey with learning how to adjust faster; cultivate an ability to make big shifts quickly. That's the wisdom that you develop while aging gracefully. 
When something in your life no longer worked, wallowing yourself in self-pity is not acceptable. You have come a long way in this life therefore you owe yourself to bounce back. Just think of those people who have gone before you and have not experienced the true wisdom that comes only when you're getting older.

For me now I hope not to digress from my new path. I don't wanna look back nor regret my choices that didn't bring me real victories or may be real happiness. I have little sentiment over those experiences. There is no good pretending that was used to be true was still true when clearly it wasn't, or that what really was true, no matter how unpleasant, really wasn't. 

One thing we can't evade thinking is our mortality. Could we be ready about it? No; Yes. We really don't know when our time comes and when God takes us without a warning. That's why it is very important to self-introspect where you are at every moment. Where is your heart, its condition when it's time to go? Do you know where you gonna go after death? Heaven or hell?

I was reading this book today entitled "Chasing Daylight." I started reading the middle part to its ending. I looked at the table of contents and just picked the contents that are interesting to me. Then I was enthralled with how it got me emotionally that I continued on reading from the beginning. 
The book talks about how a 53 year old man, who at his peak of success and accolades was diagnosed with brain tumor on its last stage. Inoperable. Never had symptoms except may be minor headaches; physically fit and on the top of its game, in the business world. 
For one thing, this didn't break him and never asked, "Why me Lord?" Having given only 100 days, he made a list of making closures--inside and outside his inner circles. He emailed, wrote letters of gratitude to his closest friends inviting them to create perfect moments while with them. Made a lot of phone calls amidst his radiation schedules. He made them happen--the closures especially one with himself. He discovered in the last few weeks of his life that he has a great connection with water. Water as he said is life, endless.

It was a good read. One that I would reflect on with his strong insights about making the last phase of his life, fulfilling and as he calls it...perfect moment.

With this reading, I have come to realize that even in a death sentence, one could still live with dignity and in truth-- a time, an opportunity for us to get our hearts right with God. 

Thanks for reading and Take care always.
God Bless

"Jesus Abides With us Always"

"Jesus Abides With Us Always..."

Today's winter consolation, a Friday off due to increment weather. I love that sense of wonder, that sense of expectancy when it happens and right on your alley. I could see pictures on my mind many children frolicking even with just snow covering the dried grass in their yards. Nothing is whiter than snow always gets me. It's a direct outpouring of Jesus abiding in us always regardless how dense and slippery snow develops. Again, we have to put our hearts into check--snow is a winter's gift, my personal take. It's the reason why I'm writing with some sense, now.

I see the ray of sunshine seeping through my window sheer curtains. I'm predicting the snow is almost gone. Good in both ways: snow-melting & sun-shining through. What did I do to mark this day significant? I woke up at 7am. Let my Lab Cocoa out for two hours, just enough to do her business out in the yard. Also took some pictures of Cocoa's footprints in the snow. 
I also called my eldest sister and my mom. Talking to them is like inhabiting a good dosage of life's positive affirmations-- enough to make today, undiminished God's favor...

I also asked my son to purchase a book called,"Chasing Daylight," for my Kindle. Gave him all the information but still I ended up with the right title but wrong author. I'm left with whether to still read it or learn from it--and just to do it myself for the next purchase via Amazon.com. Well, I am believing it's an honest mistake, a little clumsiness that cost me to postpone reading it.

Listening to Michael Hyatt's podcast,"How the Placebo Effect Can Tank or Torpedo Your Career Dreams," and reading to Joseph Lalonde's post on "Collecting Junk" ; Jeff Goins's, Writers Don't Write to Get Published, and David Porter's Secrets of Constant Thankfulness put me to be more present where I am...

Another wintry day passed. It's amazing how the weather change quickly to mostly clear. And tomorrow it will be 70 degrees. How are you going to beat that? Only in the state of Texas where you get to experience all four seasons in a week. Oh, that's a blessing no matter how you look at it...

So thank God for an extra day to be able to just "chill" and not being hurried by anything or by anybody. It's nice to leave worries and all the junk where they belong. Why burden yourself with things or people you can't change? Just focus on what you can do to make a difference in one's life. But begin the positive walk in you...

Thanks for reading. You take care always.

God Bless

"The Unexpected Change of Weather"

The Wonderment Of Weather Change...

Here in Central Texas, to see more than two inches of snow is a strange thing. So it snowed. It's freezing. May be it's just me . I'm wearing double-knitted socks, sweaters that overlap each other and still I'm cold. I know the heater is on... I don't feel like writing but I have, too. It's a good thing that our school district has delayed 2 hours to its opening schedule. Thus, I could stay up after midnight. I keep on forgetting that it's still winter and for anything for our wonderment, it's virtually the weather change that saps my energy. Especially tonight. What makes it different from all the other nights? I'm not sure what it is. It could be all because of the unexpected drop of winter chills. I'm not even writing 500 words tonight. I'm making tonight an exception. Words are not flowing as I would like them to be. Tomorrow will be better, that I know. Good night.

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"Words That Never Depart"

 "Write these words on your heart: Remember I love you..."

 One delightful afternoon, our church had a box of books for your taking. I thought I must have been so bored that I had to scavenge books left at the Pastor's office hallway. No one was grabbing books except me. I guess because books have always been the closest ally to my heart, I tend to show my veracity of their treasure by putting them in my hands. 

One of the books I chose to keep was called, "Remember I love you" by Charlie W. Shedd. In this book, "he writes with lyrical passion from the depth of his soul, describing his early courtship and marriage; his life as a young pastor, and his growing love and appreciation of his wife, Martha, whose wisdom, compassion, and spiritual awareness were a constant source of joy and inspiration."

"In this book, Remember I love you, the author also describes his wrenching grief, his debate with god, and his search for courage and comfort in the months following his wife;s death. This is a book of refined and tested faith, a telling narrative of the meaning of matrimonial union, love & conflict, humor and tragedy. It will deeply touch lives of those who read it with its compassion and insight. 
It touched me more than words and my heart can say...

"A Litany for Those Who Suffer... is a compilation of Verses from the Old Testament Book of Lamentations, Amplified Version, with adaptations; selected and arranged by Charlie and Martha Shedd on February 1, 1988."

Here it is:

"How solitary and lonely sits the city...Behold our sorrow and suffering...Our sighs and groans are many...Our emotions are deeply disturbed, and our eyes overflow with tears. 
We walled about, and we have been brought into darkness...Perished is our strength, and our ruin seems measureless.
Yet because of the love of the Lord we are not consumed...Great is thy faithfulness...He remains and reigns forever...Therefore we hope in Him and expectantly wait."

I thought I would share. And read the book. For all its worth, "I love you" are still the most powerful, reassuring, encouraging, healing, exciting and endearing words one can give and receive at every heart. And it should be said with reverence and without a tinge of doubt. These transforming words should never be overused or be taken for granted. It should sound like heaven--

My Favorite Scripture Today:
Test everything.
Hold on to the good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21, NIV

Thanks for reading and you  take care always...
God Bless

"Taking Full Responsibility for our Own Actions"

" Taking Full Responsibility For Our Actions..."

We all did it. Conscientiously... I'm talking about situations and we're rendered two choices; disobedience to do the God- thing or obedience to your carnal desires. And sometimes we even play them both squarely. In the Biblical way, that's being lukewarm that is: you're serving two masters--you're playing games with idolatry. 

For me, timing and waiting were my big proponents to understanding life after divorce. Perfect timing  was never on my side; all it seems that my mind has gathered is waiting. For all I know, I've missed pivotal cues because I was hovered with unforgiveness and blame in my heart. It doesn't bother me now to talk about it for God had delivered me from it.

Dispensation of pride inappropriately in your life makes you not see the lesson from every relationship you've been through. You rationalize until blaming the other person is the only thing left for you to do. It felt right to justify that kind on thinking when you're self-absorbed. Taking full responsibility for what needs to be done after divorce was the most challenging chapter of my life. I had to learn how to betray all the emotions raging in me; settling them in my brain. I made a pact to myself that my two sons are going to be nurtured with my love & commitment to raise them as my labor--to love & life.

I don't remember a moment that the grace of God wasn't upon me. The Lord has been and will always be my sole provider of all things that I need. The spirit of the Lord was my highest counselor when I needed His presence during parent-teacher conferences. My youngest son was the one that was affected with the perils of our divorce with his dad. He was only 9 1/2 at that time. Didn't deserve to be confused. I tell you, all the best things in me as a mother and as a human being, I gave it to that child, to both of them...
  I still remember the countless hours when I had to teach my boys how to drive. Getting their license was a breeze but driving a vehicle away from home each time poses threat to my health. Thank God Almighty, they're both excellent drivers with good records to support it.

I take courage upon God's working on my behalf. Without the support of my family and some good friends of mine, I would have lost it big time. After all, I was promised to never walk alone in this journey. Somehow I knew who I am with God in the midst of a storm and carried me  through year after year.
 "Out of sufferings, I emerged as a strong soul and  aware that many more challenges to come my way...And with the pent-up emotions I bottled somewhere in my mind had long been disintegrated. I may have shed a reservoir of tears and questions unanswered but the power of love & dedication to my children are my greatest pillar whom I draw fresh breath of inspiration. When you want to win some in this life...it better be in the full investment of bringing up your children in the eyes of the Lord. They may depart from it for a season but in the end, God's love prevails. It always does. No need to worry!

"Lord...bless me the gift of faith to be renewed and shared with others each day. Teach me to live this moment only, looking neither to the past with regret, nor the future with apprehension. let love be my aim and my life a prayer.
Let my soul take refuge...beneath the shadow of Your wings: let my heart, this sea of restless waves, find peace in you, O God, in whom I trust.

As always, thanks for reading and you guys, take care. God Bless