Saturday, October 25, 2014

"The Unveiling Of Grace.."


Scripture of the Day:
Isaiah 42:16
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.




Having "the good friend" whose heart, mind, soul & entire psyche is aligned with the Holy Word, one might say is "too good to be true." However, Zeny is all that in delighting herself in the Lord. She's my one & only friend that knows where I am spiritually. Also, a teacher--her greatest gauge & barometer in weighing in the issues of life derive from her faith in God's promises.

Although we each go to a different church but with the same  Core Christian beliefs, transparency & truthfulness have never been more blissful. I was at her church for a two-day "Unveiled singles conference (Friday night- Saturday) this weekend. It was a good turn-out on a Friday night where home folks usually prefer to stay home. Well, their Praise & Worship songs were very powerful & uplifting. I wasn't familiar with the songs but it didn't matter.The lyrics are heart-piercing and raw. The spirit of the Lord was in that place...And the best part, I was praising/worshiping the Lord with my good friend, Zenaida.
Add caption
Today, (Saturday) is Breakout Sessions. I & Zeny  registered for classes entitled, The Space Between being Single & Content and Healing After Divorce & Breakups.Such impartition & bestowing of related-topic Scriptures had made me realized that I still have stronghold thinking--that kind of subtle rationalization over a few heart-issues. But thank God that this stronghold can never have that power on me anymore. "There is nothing too big for God for His mighty deliverance." I Know my "Boaz" will come when God sends him forth in His perfect time. That goes for you, too, Zeny and to all women of Faith who remain single & devoted to God's works. And you can never be single in the eyes of the Lord. Let your hearts' desires be known and serve Him while waiting. Just like Roxanne Smith said and I'm paraphrasing...your future Boaz is worth the wait...Amen

Thank you Zeny for the gift of friendship. I look forward to December's out-of-town women's activity. The long drive will be worth journalling, taking scenic pictures along the way and laughing out loud with other Christian women on board. That's God's grace... unveiled!

 We serve a living Savior.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Mom, Sis, Nephew & Myself...Edifying One Another

 Every third week of  each month, my mom gets to enforce her legal grandparent right to take her grandson; my nephew to come stay with her from Friday @ 6 pm -- 6 pm Sunday. Mark is my late brother Romeo's only child/son . We made a promise to take good care of Mark and make every way to be a part of his life. We get to take him to church, to the movies, to the park and to the Golden Arch or KFC/Chic-fil-A. I also get a moment to assess his educational grade level and has always surpasses my expectations.And you know how kids are these days...Every child owns a tablet. You can't talk to them without their eyes and fingers pressed or tapped on keys. You feel like yanking that object from them to get their full attention. However, my nephew isn't that much fixated yet. He would stop when told to do so. 
All in all--we had a wonderful time.   


 



Love this photo--endearing & sweet. It's that time again to say...love you Mark.




Saturday, October 18, 2014

"Timing" Is Everything..."

"Timing" certainly is an eloquent essence to everything. It does, though equates to having the right heart & head knowledge to know when to pursue something or somebody. To us, Christians, whose steps are adhered, perpetuated,inspired and guided by the Word of God take more in the  urgency of Faith & Praying. And it just that...Being active in believing God's promises.

Three weeks ago, my sister gave me a small bag of pears (from her own backyard) I'm more of a peach kind person. So, I just laid them down on the kitchen counter for a couple of days. One afternoon, I randomly picked one to give it a try for my taste. (the last time I took a bite on one of them was the beginning of summer and it tasted sour to me) To my great surprise, they didn't only taste succinctly crunchy but deliciously sweet. I maybe using redundant adjectives and qualifying adverbs to get my point across but that's how I really tasted them this time. And my sister said that her pears off her tree do take awhile to get fully ripened. I know this is common logic; however, even fruits take due time to get their sweet juice enamored to those who patiently wait...
Even in the greater scheme of things, "timing" requires our patience in waiting; the joy of just watching how things unfolds to grandiosity. How we approach and attack towards good opportunities always lies on where we are --heart & soul. Do we tend to grab every opportunity according to how we feel or do we take time to take it to the Lord and receive His will? Taking the latter never lets you down.

We all notice that as we go through Autumn/Fall; the "falling" leaves' pigmentation go deeper as they sparkle as gifts of nature on the ground. That also takes time...They are never perceived as desolate leaves but a festival of the season's heaven's exquisite marker/ whisper.
Even when the world has almost lost its grip, I am here to tell you that the only true assurance we have to anchor ourselves from vexation is in the presence of the Holy Spirit. For if we're called to leave this earth unprepared--without warning, what can you take with you when it's your time to leave this earth? Even our faith has its own way of strengthening it...I'm just excited and in awe of how God has delivered me from the things I should have not chased and His redemption plan for my life that is undeserving. That, too, took many railroads of crossroads before getting it right. God Bless

Happy Sabbath

Sunday, October 12, 2014

"My Keen- Relish Writing Muse This Afternoon..."

Add caption
                               Sometimes true inspiration comes & presents itself when you least expect it. This beautiful, tangible expression of grace --and profoundly, much more than serendipity. Just look at this precious "little muse" staring at me while I'm flipping pages of Artful Blogging magazine. I wish I knew how to make her understand that she's just so cute and a real gem to my sight. She must have just turned a year old. I tried to entice her to a  conversation as she stood in front of me but remained a stellar sight. 
Then...I just took a snapshot of her just like that with my iPhone. Never even ask her mom which I'm sure  was just a few yards away. Didn't even get the baby's name. Mom finally showed up. She was elated to have seen her baby trying to make a point, with her own body language. 
To tell you the truth, wherever I go (be it in grocery stores, bookstores, recreation parks, etc.), little children and grade-school children do throw me that confident/ glowing smile  many countless occasions. They even say "hello" to me  without qualms that I am a stranger just passing by. 
Does it transcend to them that my first love has always been  around teaching children? And that I still take pride doing it? 

 By the way, that was the highlight of my afternoon "me time."  One of the things I know for sure is not to be hesitant of wanting to capture, engage and be fully present in what's worth captivating. Your heart tells you that. It is still your greatest barometer to making things happen. We should never cease to see elements of gratitude and zest.


Goodnight.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

"What A Difference A Day Makes..."


Saturday Blessings:




So, the weather forecast for Saturday didn't elude us; didn't come as a surprise either. Something in the air cues you in that you may not need your AC turned on. I just did that. Gladly opened all my windows for the crisp air to seep through... Oh, that feels so fresh, organic and just so welcoming. 


Though I didn't go for a walk/jog in the park today, I was content staying --putting summer clothes away and started  hanging clusters of "fall" outfits; also taking out blankets within my reach. It's really beginning to smell, look, and feel like Autumn is here. It may take another few weeks more before I see an array of enchanting amber, gold leaves scattered beautifully on the ground and that's just fine with me. It gives me more time to cling to anticipation...what it brings may be just what my heart beats. 

Thank God. "Let everything that has breathe, Praise The Lord."
Faux Red Dahlia, New Growth Designs

Monday, October 6, 2014

When "All Suppositions" Become As That...



At one point or may be too many for too long in our lives have we wished our "would/could have been" in our wildest dreams be more than a pigment of our imagination? It's wishful thinking that has eroded clarity; wisdom demented. 
It does take a journey of fervent prayers and walking that faith. Only God knows why things happen and trusting Him for the highest purpose in all circumstances is our only answer that makes sense.
Moving forward as leaving suppositions behind is a colossal step for every soul that wants to make things right. Joy comes to those who unburden themselves with the facade, the orchestra and the masks of this world.
Only the spiritual wisdom that comes from reading His Word, hearing His Word and the Spirit of the living God can change the heart of the Lost. Such illumination of truth can never be found in the mouth  and actions of secular men.
Be thankful that you've been touched by His grace, His immovable power.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

"Today's Continuing Portals...

Taking Care of Yourself...
    

  I have been waking up with chronic pains on my left shoulders. I could enumerate what perpetuated the pain. One obvious reason is the constraints of what aging means physically & mentally. How you transpire its essence is spiritual. 

My dose of faith and how I allocate it depends on what measure I should take. Typically, I take Advil for any kind of inflammation my body has developed. And taking one mere tablet with food feels like a silver lining to me. Motrin, Tylenol & etc. do't go well in my system. I don't run to pay a doctor's visit if I think the symptoms will creep away. So, this morning I soaked myself in the bathtub even just to alleviate the pain.While enjoying the semi-hot water that seems penetrating the swollen area, my source of healing comes from what I believe to be true; that God provides for healing of all kinds of wounds & pains & sufferings...Soaking is just a remedy but your faith in what he fulfilled at Calvary Cross where He laid everything for Humanity is the only answer. It did to a comfortable degree that I was able to take that special Saturday walk/jog at the park with Cocoa. And I'm okay with that.



At the park, they were having a "Barktoberfest" for all kennels from 10 am to 2pm Today. It would have been a good socialization for Cocoa (especially the swimming in the pool and dogs are allowed  running around without their leash in their designated areas according to their sizes) but for some reason I wasn't up to it. Call it overprotectiveness. I don't know how the other dogs really behave so I & Cocoa proceeded to have that usual delightful walk--which is to me an early Autumn daze. Even at 10 am, the air feels cozy/breezy. It's almost a demise not get out. With the Fall colors which are just beginning to emerge and shaping the tracks, may be such pigments of true imagination, my physical pain wouldn't be in the way. "

Cocoa as she waits patiently for me to fill my gas tank.

Cocoa just enjoying her freedom walking with me in stride--the path is all hers!
God's grace is lookin' deep into nature."

      I'm also going to watch "Left Behind" movie with the whole family late this afternoon. Let's see if it defies the recent reviews I've read this morning in the Yahoo page. I'll be writing about my personal take on it--Later