Notes from my 2009 Our Daily Journey (before I finally put it away):
January 3
• Make a beaten pathway. Come to Me. Make it your practice to approach Me over and over again.
• Regardless of your situation, circumstances, or state of health, God is ready to work powerfully in you and through you.
January 6
• Attack problems, not people.
“You have heard that it has been said, ‘you must love your neighbor and hate those who hate you.’ But I tell you, love those who hate you. (Respect and give thanks to those who say bad things to you. Do good to those who hate you.) Pray for those who do bad things to you and who make it hard for you”.
- Matthew 5:43-44
• The secret of abundance is found not in what we have, but in what we enjoy (or are thankful for).
February 5
• Don’t pick fights.
• You can have the right convictions and be right on the issue, but your heart and your attitude can be wrong. There’s nothing uglier than someone with a right position but an arrogant attitude.
April 20
• Interruptions
• Although it is wise to plan, we need to be ready to accept God’s unexpected interruptions in our lives.
“For I know the plans I have for you… plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” – Jeremiah 29:11
• “You must remember that our God has all knowledge and all wisdom, and that, therefore, it is very possible He may guide you into paths wherein He knows great blessings are awaiting you, but which to the short-sighted human eyes around you seem sure to result in confusion and loss.” – Hannah Whitall Smith
April 29
• Get busy! You will know when you are using your gifts when you feel joy in your service, when others affirm your work, when your efforts bear fruit, and when you have energy for the task.
May 9
• Prayer to the soul is what exercise is to the body.
• The person who studies the Bible without praying will develop a good mind with a cold heart. The person who prays without knowing Scripture will consistently pray outside the will of God, for that is where His will is revealed.
May 13
• “Mourning may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning”. – Psalm 30:5
May 31
• Abundant Blessing
• Righteousness is shedding all of the things that make you miserable and embracing fully the path that God has laid out that leads to peace, joy, and fulfillment.
• If you are a loving, humble, giving person, filled with peace and joy, then you are one of the happiest people in the world indeed.
June 21
• What’s a stronghold? It’s something that consumes so much of our mental and emotional energy that abundant life is strangled – our callings remain unfulfilled and our lives are virtually ineffective.
• The goal of our warfare is to steal back our thought life and take it captive to Christ instead. (2 Cor 10:5)
July 9
• Commitment translates into faithfulness to Christ each moment of every day.
August 4
• Because we know God loves us, we are willing to accept His plan for us, even though that plan includes discipline and hard times.
November 30
• Life can be rushed… but you can slow it down. Remember – you set your own pace.
Showing posts with label bible reflection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bible reflection. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Weeping may endure for a night...
Once again, I am in awe of God’s generosity and faithfulness.
Against all odds, He has proven once more that He is on my side. In the blink of an eye, He has wiped away every tear, every pain, every fear, and every sense of desperation.
God must have allowed all the events of the past two weeks to happen to push me to pray more… to urge me to rely on His strength instead of my own. The experience taught me the value of prayer. And of prayers offered by loved ones and friends. It opened my eyes to the beauty of God’s strokes, those which, just days ago, were difficult to appreciate and understand.
My heart overflows with happiness and gratitude to all who offered prayers for my sake.
Praised be Jesus! Praised be Mama Mary! Thank you St. Peter and St. Jude!
Against all odds, He has proven once more that He is on my side. In the blink of an eye, He has wiped away every tear, every pain, every fear, and every sense of desperation.
God must have allowed all the events of the past two weeks to happen to push me to pray more… to urge me to rely on His strength instead of my own. The experience taught me the value of prayer. And of prayers offered by loved ones and friends. It opened my eyes to the beauty of God’s strokes, those which, just days ago, were difficult to appreciate and understand.
My heart overflows with happiness and gratitude to all who offered prayers for my sake.
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. - Psalm 30:5
Praised be Jesus! Praised be Mama Mary! Thank you St. Peter and St. Jude!
I can do all things because Christ gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Letting go and Letting God
As I ponder on the events of the past couple of days, I feel that God has been very active (as usual). He has begun to strip me of my little and big concerns, gently pushing me outside of my comfort zone, while teaching me a few important lessons:
· I have been concerned these past weeks about my weight gain, especially since I noted I was beginning to have “double-chin” on my pictures. The appearance of what appeared to be tell-tale signs of crow’s feet really concerned me, too. I started to apply nightly eye cream to my daily regimen, in addition to the moisturizer and the sunscreen plus the cucumber spa salt…Vanity, vanity. Now because of a minor, albeit disconcerting, medical concern, I need to take steroids, so increased appetite, weight gain, and water retention are inevitable effects that I just have to accept.
· Coffee has been a very important part of my daily routine and I have been taking as much as 3 tall mugs a day. Never mind if I tried my best to opt for decaffeinated 2 out of 3 mugs. It was a staple I was beginning to find hard to live without, and for now I have to let this go (per doctors’ advise).
· When I stayed in the library for 8 hours last Tuesday (with only a 30-minute break in between, really) I was very happy and frankly, a bit proud of my efforts. I wrote down on my index cards the rest of my battle plan, that is, the rest of my time table, and scheduled readings in detail. Now, I surrender to God and accept my circumstances.
· My laptop hinges finally gave up yesterday. Thankfully, the computer itself remains functional. But I do need to prop up the screen against books or pillows because the hinges do not hold up anymore. For months I have been “hinting” to God that I really needed a new laptop but somehow, I can sense that He is asking me to be patient, to wait some more. Now I refuse to worry . I just thank God for every day that the laptop is able to run and do the things I need it to do.
· I have been so looking forward to spending the weekend with my family in the province, especially since this would be my one-month-old nephew's official homecoming. I was so heart-broken when I realized yesterday that we’re better off home because almost everyone in the family has been feeling ill. Frustrated, I began to look for ways and reasons to blame hubby; it made mo so unhappy and so angry just thinking about it. I knew in my heart that this is nobody’s fault. So I am taught, again, to let go of my anger and frustration.
· Despite stress and pressure and health concerns, I find myself devoting less time for prayer and being less faithful to my Daily Scriptures. I have been running on my own power, like pushing a car while the key remained in my pocket. No wonder I get so tired.
With the exam being only 16 days away, God’s message to me seems to be very clear. He is teaching me to let go and just let Him do His work, His plan, His job. He is pointing out my stubbornness and demanding that I lift my burdens off my shoulder and just lay them on His feet. It reminds me of this passage from Jeremiah 29:11-12: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. Then You will come upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
· I have been concerned these past weeks about my weight gain, especially since I noted I was beginning to have “double-chin” on my pictures. The appearance of what appeared to be tell-tale signs of crow’s feet really concerned me, too. I started to apply nightly eye cream to my daily regimen, in addition to the moisturizer and the sunscreen plus the cucumber spa salt…Vanity, vanity. Now because of a minor, albeit disconcerting, medical concern, I need to take steroids, so increased appetite, weight gain, and water retention are inevitable effects that I just have to accept.
· Coffee has been a very important part of my daily routine and I have been taking as much as 3 tall mugs a day. Never mind if I tried my best to opt for decaffeinated 2 out of 3 mugs. It was a staple I was beginning to find hard to live without, and for now I have to let this go (per doctors’ advise).
· When I stayed in the library for 8 hours last Tuesday (with only a 30-minute break in between, really) I was very happy and frankly, a bit proud of my efforts. I wrote down on my index cards the rest of my battle plan, that is, the rest of my time table, and scheduled readings in detail. Now, I surrender to God and accept my circumstances.
· My laptop hinges finally gave up yesterday. Thankfully, the computer itself remains functional. But I do need to prop up the screen against books or pillows because the hinges do not hold up anymore. For months I have been “hinting” to God that I really needed a new laptop but somehow, I can sense that He is asking me to be patient, to wait some more. Now I refuse to worry . I just thank God for every day that the laptop is able to run and do the things I need it to do.
· I have been so looking forward to spending the weekend with my family in the province, especially since this would be my one-month-old nephew's official homecoming. I was so heart-broken when I realized yesterday that we’re better off home because almost everyone in the family has been feeling ill. Frustrated, I began to look for ways and reasons to blame hubby; it made mo so unhappy and so angry just thinking about it. I knew in my heart that this is nobody’s fault. So I am taught, again, to let go of my anger and frustration.
· Despite stress and pressure and health concerns, I find myself devoting less time for prayer and being less faithful to my Daily Scriptures. I have been running on my own power, like pushing a car while the key remained in my pocket. No wonder I get so tired.
With the exam being only 16 days away, God’s message to me seems to be very clear. He is teaching me to let go and just let Him do His work, His plan, His job. He is pointing out my stubbornness and demanding that I lift my burdens off my shoulder and just lay them on His feet. It reminds me of this passage from Jeremiah 29:11-12: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. Then You will come upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Guarding My Thoughts
We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 10:5
What a pleasant surprise today’s verse is; a special gift. I have always believed in what other people say about the benefits of positive thinking. Sadly, it is one of the ever-present struggles in my life. I am, after all, a pessimist by nature; an almost-pathologic worrier.
Nowadays, I struggle with my fears and worries about my upcoming exam, the practice that I should be starting soon, my attacks of depression, and the biggest enemy of all, my tendency to be the worst critic of myself a.k.a. self-doubt. It therefore gives me immense comfort knowing that St. Paul himself acknowledges the importance of taking charge of one’s thoughts; perhaps he has struggled with his thought processes, too. (Everyday, I love St. Paul more and more).
In today’s reflection on Our Daily Journey, Beth Moore talked about spiritual strongholds. She defined a stronghold as “something that consumes so much of our emotional and mental energy that abundant life is strangled - our callings remain unfulfilled and our lives are virtually ineffective”. She then paraphrases St. Paul and reminds me that “the goal of our warfare (as stated in the verse above) is to steal back our thought life and take it captive to Christ instead”.
Today I take hold of my thought life and surrender it to Jesus. Amen.
- 2 Corinthians 10:5
What a pleasant surprise today’s verse is; a special gift. I have always believed in what other people say about the benefits of positive thinking. Sadly, it is one of the ever-present struggles in my life. I am, after all, a pessimist by nature; an almost-pathologic worrier.
Nowadays, I struggle with my fears and worries about my upcoming exam, the practice that I should be starting soon, my attacks of depression, and the biggest enemy of all, my tendency to be the worst critic of myself a.k.a. self-doubt. It therefore gives me immense comfort knowing that St. Paul himself acknowledges the importance of taking charge of one’s thoughts; perhaps he has struggled with his thought processes, too. (Everyday, I love St. Paul more and more).
In today’s reflection on Our Daily Journey, Beth Moore talked about spiritual strongholds. She defined a stronghold as “something that consumes so much of our emotional and mental energy that abundant life is strangled - our callings remain unfulfilled and our lives are virtually ineffective”. She then paraphrases St. Paul and reminds me that “the goal of our warfare (as stated in the verse above) is to steal back our thought life and take it captive to Christ instead”.
Today I take hold of my thought life and surrender it to Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
As the deer
Once again I struggle with sadness, emptiness and frustration at things that I cannot control nor escape. My temper and sanity tip precariously on an invisible line, thin as a thread. The slightest nudge brings me to tears.
At a loss for words, I run to the Bible for comfort:
Prayer To Be Home Safe Again
As the deer desires rivers of water, so my soul desires You, O God. My soul is thirsty for God, for the living God. When will I come and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember; and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with many people and lead them to the house of God, with the voice of thankful joy, among the many happy people.
Why are you sad, O my soul? Why have you become troubled within me? Hope in God, for I will praise Him again for His help of being near me. O my God, my soul is troubled within me. So I remember You from the land of the Jordan and the tops of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Sea calls to sea at the sound of Your waterfalls. All Your waves have rolled over me. The Lord will send His loving-kindness in the day. And His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life.
I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I have sorrow because those who hate me come against me with power?” As a breaking of my bones, those who hate me speak sharp words to me. All day long they say to me, “Where is your God?” Why are you sad, O my soul? Why have you become troubled within me? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my help and my God.
- Psalm 42:1-11
At a loss for words, I run to the Bible for comfort:
Prayer To Be Home Safe Again
As the deer desires rivers of water, so my soul desires You, O God. My soul is thirsty for God, for the living God. When will I come and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember; and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with many people and lead them to the house of God, with the voice of thankful joy, among the many happy people.
Why are you sad, O my soul? Why have you become troubled within me? Hope in God, for I will praise Him again for His help of being near me. O my God, my soul is troubled within me. So I remember You from the land of the Jordan and the tops of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Sea calls to sea at the sound of Your waterfalls. All Your waves have rolled over me. The Lord will send His loving-kindness in the day. And His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life.
I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I have sorrow because those who hate me come against me with power?” As a breaking of my bones, those who hate me speak sharp words to me. All day long they say to me, “Where is your God?” Why are you sad, O my soul? Why have you become troubled within me? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my help and my God.
- Psalm 42:1-11
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Endure (for when I am weary or feel like giving up)
I have been feeling pretty bad about myself these past couple of days. The feeling is very much different from how I felt when I sat down more than a week ago and wrote out my ‘plan of action’ (a.k.a. timetable) for the remaining seventy-something days of my review. Back then I was all fired up and raring to go. I knew and felt I could do it.
I underestimated the time it will take for me to accomplish some tasks and assigned readings. Because of this, I lag behind my schedule. I am supposed to be have been done with the other book the other day and now on 2nd day of major textbook, round 2. Last night, I stayed up late until half past two this morning, but had to lie down and succumb to fatigue and eye strain. I felt so tired, my neck hurt, and more importantly, my heart was weighed down with discouragement. I remember lying down, thinking to myself, that I have not been keeping my prayer time… maybe that’s why, despite hubby’s unremitting support, I feel so low and discouraged.
Today, as always, God came to my rescue to comfort me through His Word.
And then this was what in today’s bible reflection form Our Daily Journey:
Lord, help me to become a good soldier. Teach me to endure. Send forth Your grace… help me remember that this is my mission for now and that I do this, first and foremost, for You.
I underestimated the time it will take for me to accomplish some tasks and assigned readings. Because of this, I lag behind my schedule. I am supposed to be have been done with the other book the other day and now on 2nd day of major textbook, round 2. Last night, I stayed up late until half past two this morning, but had to lie down and succumb to fatigue and eye strain. I felt so tired, my neck hurt, and more importantly, my heart was weighed down with discouragement. I remember lying down, thinking to myself, that I have not been keeping my prayer time… maybe that’s why, despite hubby’s unremitting support, I feel so low and discouraged.
Today, as always, God came to my rescue to comfort me through His Word.
Let us put everything out of our lives that keeps us from doing what we should.
Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us.
Let us keep looking to Jesus.
Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect.
- Hebrews 12: 1b, 2a
And then this was what in today’s bible reflection form Our Daily Journey:
Endure comes from the Greek word hupomeno. Hupo translates “to bear up under a
weight or a burden”. Meno means “to continue or remain”. = to continue to bear
up under the weight of difficulties. It paints a picture of staying the course
in complete submission, and obedience to Jesus.
Lord, help me to become a good soldier. Teach me to endure. Send forth Your grace… help me remember that this is my mission for now and that I do this, first and foremost, for You.
Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
- 2 Timothy 2: 3
Monday, June 1, 2009
To Shed and To Embrace
End of May, already! (Panic… umm… some more panic).
Yesterday, hubby and I were talking about our future. I expressed some concerns of mine about how uncertain everything in my future (and near-future) seems. This journey sometimes feels like a walk through the forest where no paths are laid and one has no idea which direction to go and what things or circumstances await.
This anxiety is getting more palpable with each passing day. I am guessing it is this anxiety that pushed me to fix my wallpaper two days ago. I took my fluke of a nice shot of the beach and added this text at the bottom:
That particular quote from Scripture somehow appeases my worries and fears, knowing that God is a God who keeps His word and fulfills all His promises.
Today I get another reassuring pat from God the Father. Today’s verse, again from St. Paul (I love St. Paul!), goes like this:
I noticed that there was no condition attached to the verse. It did not say that God can give me all I need if I just pray an hour everyday or keep from being grumpy. I also figured that need may not necessarily be limited to material things; my needs include health, peace and contentment, a fulfilling career.
And then I read the reflection on Our Daily Journal. It said the happiest person in the world is the righteous person.
I pray to the great Holy Spirit for the grace and strength:
- to shed all the things that make me miserable, and
- to FIND the path God has laid out for me so that I can fully embrace it.
Addendum: Hubby and I heard Mass about an hour ago. Turns out today is the Pentecost. ☺
Yesterday, hubby and I were talking about our future. I expressed some concerns of mine about how uncertain everything in my future (and near-future) seems. This journey sometimes feels like a walk through the forest where no paths are laid and one has no idea which direction to go and what things or circumstances await.
This anxiety is getting more palpable with each passing day. I am guessing it is this anxiety that pushed me to fix my wallpaper two days ago. I took my fluke of a nice shot of the beach and added this text at the bottom:
“Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him
for what you need”. - Philippians 4:6.
That particular quote from Scripture somehow appeases my worries and fears, knowing that God is a God who keeps His word and fulfills all His promises.
Today I get another reassuring pat from God the Father. Today’s verse, again from St. Paul (I love St. Paul!), goes like this:
“God can give you all you need. He will give you more than enough. You will have
everything you need for yourselves. And you will have enough left over to give
when there is a need.” - 2 Corinthians 9:8
I noticed that there was no condition attached to the verse. It did not say that God can give me all I need if I just pray an hour everyday or keep from being grumpy. I also figured that need may not necessarily be limited to material things; my needs include health, peace and contentment, a fulfilling career.
And then I read the reflection on Our Daily Journal. It said the happiest person in the world is the righteous person.
“Righteousness is not cod liver oil you have to swallow. Righteousness is
shedding all of the things that make you miserable and embracing fully the path
that God has laid out that leads to peace, joy, and fulfillment”.
I pray to the great Holy Spirit for the grace and strength:
- to shed all the things that make me miserable, and
- to FIND the path God has laid out for me so that I can fully embrace it.
Addendum: Hubby and I heard Mass about an hour ago. Turns out today is the Pentecost. ☺
Friday, May 22, 2009
On American Idol, favorite vegetable, and St. Paul
I am so behind everybody. This morning, the finale of American Idol was on TV live. Didn’t bother to wake up and tune in that early… not that into it.
Now I watch the episode before the finale (a replay, onviously) and I am dying to know who wins. I am totally for Kris… just cannot take Adam’s screaming… it drives me crazy. His screaming + the jackhammer drilling on at our next door neighbor’s = this headache and muscle tension I feel around my nape! Glad I have one more Myonal tablet in my purse.
OVERHEARD:
I was making some chit-chat with the two girls, trying to make up for my being distracted and wrapped up in my review. I asked Kat what her favorite vegetable was. Answer: “Hmmm, sibuyas!”. LOL.
Yesterday, was the first time after quite a while that I actually knelt down, kept quiet and prayed to God. The peace that comes from bonding with Him is priceless and I am truly grateful that He is always, always available to me even if I do not often make myself available to Him.
I have been reading Scripture… short bits and pieces… everyday for the past month or so. God’s Word never ceases to amaze me. I am so sick of hearing the word ‘amazing’ as it has been overused and über-abused, but right now I cannot find any other word that would most aptly describe how I feel about it. His Word rings true and I feel honored and privileged to be able to read it and ponder it. I especially love King David’s Psalms and the books written by St. Paul. When he (St. Paul) speaks, I feel like he knows how I feel and he knows where I’m coming from. I feel his empathy. God has been blessing me with this insatiable appetite for His Word and I am really thankful.
Now I watch the episode before the finale (a replay, onviously) and I am dying to know who wins. I am totally for Kris… just cannot take Adam’s screaming… it drives me crazy. His screaming + the jackhammer drilling on at our next door neighbor’s = this headache and muscle tension I feel around my nape! Glad I have one more Myonal tablet in my purse.
OVERHEARD:
I was making some chit-chat with the two girls, trying to make up for my being distracted and wrapped up in my review. I asked Kat what her favorite vegetable was. Answer: “Hmmm, sibuyas!”. LOL.
Yesterday, was the first time after quite a while that I actually knelt down, kept quiet and prayed to God. The peace that comes from bonding with Him is priceless and I am truly grateful that He is always, always available to me even if I do not often make myself available to Him.
I have been reading Scripture… short bits and pieces… everyday for the past month or so. God’s Word never ceases to amaze me. I am so sick of hearing the word ‘amazing’ as it has been overused and über-abused, but right now I cannot find any other word that would most aptly describe how I feel about it. His Word rings true and I feel honored and privileged to be able to read it and ponder it. I especially love King David’s Psalms and the books written by St. Paul. When he (St. Paul) speaks, I feel like he knows how I feel and he knows where I’m coming from. I feel his empathy. God has been blessing me with this insatiable appetite for His Word and I am really thankful.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Lord, show me the way
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not
on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make
your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6
… Let God change your life. First of all, let Him give you a new mind. Then you will know what God wants you to do. And the things you do will be good and pleasing and perfect.- Romans 12:2
This is why I have never stopped praying for you since I heard about you. I ask God that you may know what He wants you to do. I ask God to fill you with the wisdom and understanding the Holy Spirit gives. Then your lives will please the Lord. You will do every kind of good work, and you will know more about God. - Colossians 1:9-10
Lord, I call out to You and ask You to please show me the way. Never hide your face from Me. Help me to follow You and heed Your voice for always. Amen.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Rebuke
A man of understanding learns more from being told the right thing to do than a fool learns from being beaten a hundred times - Proverbs 17:10
This proverb strikes a chord. Two, actually.
First, it reminds me to deal with my weakness as a parent. I really do feel like a failure as a parent sometimes. Today and yesterday were two of those days. It seems I spend most of my waking hours studying and yelling, reprimanding, even spanking the kids.
It can get really frustrating. Especially when I try a number of times to speak softly, to be patient, and to gently talk them into doing the right thing (or to apologize to their sibling as the case may be). Before I know it, I lose my temper and I yell and then I spank. This cycle repeats itself countless times the whole day. It wears me out. And I fear that when the kids grow up, they would not remember the lessons. All they would remember about me are images of Mommy yelling and looking so mad.
I want so much and pray our kids would grow up to be responsible, balanced, happy people. If I could raise them the way our parents did I would be very grateful. But it seems we are not doing well. When hubby comes, I see him yelling at them, too. I get mad at the kids and at hubby for yelling. Then I get mad at myself for I know I’ve been doing the same the whole day. And the kids are mad ‘cause they don’t get what they want and they’re being yelled at. Which makes us one household of mad people. I need to be taught how to teach my children. Lord, please come into our rescue!
Second chord. I need a rebuke myself as I am impatient, irritable, tactless, and I waste a lot of time.
The following are 5 statements to learn if one is teachable:
(SOURCE: Our Daily Journal, Vol. 15, January 16 daily reflection by James MacDonald)
1. People give me input.
2. I see measurable growth and character development.
3. I don’t have to answer a critic with a defense.
4. I don’t have to criticize back.
5. I’m learning new ways to grow.
I gotta say, I have a lot of work to do. God has a lot of work to do.
Friday, April 24, 2009
I sit here on my study table with my MP3 player on, trying to shut out the sounds of Barney and of the kids. They want to be in the same room with me when I am home. I try my very best to concentrate but I am fraught with worry. My heart is filled with concerns. Lord, talo talaga ako pag namomroblema na ako masyado. Please help me learn to handle my anxiety, to deal with the realities of life well. I offer you this list of concerns that bug me and I humbly lay them down on Your feet:
I woke up, Lord, and saw my countdown before the exam. 80 days! I am currently reading my manual, and jump from the text to the manual and back, and my heart is filled with fear as sometimes, when I go back to things that I’m supposed to have read, it feels like I am seeing them for the first time. It feels like I do not remember a thing! And this fear and anxiety hide in the background of everything that I do. I try to focus on other things when I have to; I pretend not to see it but it is always there.
I worry about my unfinished research papers. It gives me this sick feeling in my stomach when I think of my unfinished work and each deadline that has gone past. Now, I really need to finish it by the first week of May. The pressure is coming on.
I worry about hubby’s work. This reorganization in their company makes things less settled than before, less unsure. I do not worry about Your provision, Lord, for You have always, always taken good care of us. I do worry about his career path. He is very much concerned about the direction his career path is heading to. Please lead him, Lord, to where You want Him to be.
I worry about Ate and her dental abscess.
I worry about the kids, in general. They’re watching too much TV, mainly because I let them. It gives me the chance to read in peace (with my earplugs on, of course, to block out all the bickering, fighting, and never-ending questions). It is so unhealthy. And I am always on edge, my patience runs thin because of all these useless worries and anxiety.
I worry about our household help. One is due to leave by the end of the month, and the other two have expressed their desire of leaving soon after.
I worry about sister’s pregnancy and her upcoming delivery. I come across all these medical problems in pregnancy during my review and I am gripped with fear.
I worry about starting my practice – the where, the when, and the how. I look around at colleagues and am happy for where they are now. Why do I have these feelings of inadequacy, like I feel that I cannot do what they do?
I worry about my nanny’s health, our messy home, the kids’ disheveled closets that need sorting. Worry, worry, worry. It’s beginning to wear me out, Lord.
Please accept these, Lord. I do not know what to do with them. Take charge of my life. Please pray for me, Mama Mary. Lord, thank You.
For when I am worried or upset
Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy!
Let all people see how gentle you are. The Lord is coming again soon.
Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.
The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.
- Philippians 4:4-7
I woke up, Lord, and saw my countdown before the exam. 80 days! I am currently reading my manual, and jump from the text to the manual and back, and my heart is filled with fear as sometimes, when I go back to things that I’m supposed to have read, it feels like I am seeing them for the first time. It feels like I do not remember a thing! And this fear and anxiety hide in the background of everything that I do. I try to focus on other things when I have to; I pretend not to see it but it is always there.
I worry about my unfinished research papers. It gives me this sick feeling in my stomach when I think of my unfinished work and each deadline that has gone past. Now, I really need to finish it by the first week of May. The pressure is coming on.
I worry about hubby’s work. This reorganization in their company makes things less settled than before, less unsure. I do not worry about Your provision, Lord, for You have always, always taken good care of us. I do worry about his career path. He is very much concerned about the direction his career path is heading to. Please lead him, Lord, to where You want Him to be.
I worry about Ate and her dental abscess.
I worry about the kids, in general. They’re watching too much TV, mainly because I let them. It gives me the chance to read in peace (with my earplugs on, of course, to block out all the bickering, fighting, and never-ending questions). It is so unhealthy. And I am always on edge, my patience runs thin because of all these useless worries and anxiety.
I worry about our household help. One is due to leave by the end of the month, and the other two have expressed their desire of leaving soon after.
I worry about sister’s pregnancy and her upcoming delivery. I come across all these medical problems in pregnancy during my review and I am gripped with fear.
I worry about starting my practice – the where, the when, and the how. I look around at colleagues and am happy for where they are now. Why do I have these feelings of inadequacy, like I feel that I cannot do what they do?
I worry about my nanny’s health, our messy home, the kids’ disheveled closets that need sorting. Worry, worry, worry. It’s beginning to wear me out, Lord.
Please accept these, Lord. I do not know what to do with them. Take charge of my life. Please pray for me, Mama Mary. Lord, thank You.
For when I am worried or upset
Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy!
Let all people see how gentle you are. The Lord is coming again soon.
Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.
The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.
- Philippians 4:4-7
Friday, March 20, 2009
For when I am worried or upset
4 Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy!
5 Let all people see how gentle you are. The Lord is coming again soon.
6 Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.
7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.
- Philippians 4:4-7
5 Let all people see how gentle you are. The Lord is coming again soon.
6 Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.
7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.
- Philippians 4:4-7
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
From Psalm 25
Psalm 25:14-21
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him. My eyes are always on the Lord. For He will take my feet out of the net. Turn to me and show me Your loving-kindness. For I am alone and in trouble. The troubles of my heart have grown. Bring me out of my suffering. Look upon my troubles and my pain, and forgive all my sins. Look upon those who hate me, for they are many. And how very much they hate me! Keep me safe, Lord, and set me free. Do not let me be put to shame for I put my trust in You. Let what is good and what is right keep me safe, because I wait for You.
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him. My eyes are always on the Lord. For He will take my feet out of the net. Turn to me and show me Your loving-kindness. For I am alone and in trouble. The troubles of my heart have grown. Bring me out of my suffering. Look upon my troubles and my pain, and forgive all my sins. Look upon those who hate me, for they are many. And how very much they hate me! Keep me safe, Lord, and set me free. Do not let me be put to shame for I put my trust in You. Let what is good and what is right keep me safe, because I wait for You.
Friday, February 27, 2009
As the deer
Psalm 42:1-8
As the deer desires rivers of water, so my soul desires You, O God.
Why are you sad, o my soul? Why have you become troubled within me? Hope in God, for I will praise Him again for His help of being near me.
It is but human to feel sad and worried sometimes.
I, in particular, am prone to falling into short (two days to a week) periods of being weepy and feeling depressed. This is especially true in the days before my monthly period comes… people in our household can sense it as I turn into this melancholy, self-pitying girl who cries at the slightest annoyance OR into this ill-tempered monster who is ready to bite your head off with the tiniest provocation. Sigh. Surely, I am not proud of it. I am working on it. There is no promise to totally change into a saint overnight but I try to make the “attacks” farther and farther in between.
I put my hope in God for His help is near me… as in, andyan lang sa tabi-tabi, pag kailangan ko S’ya.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
On Suffering
Psalm 9: 1-14
9The Lord also keeps safe those who suffer. He is a safe place in times of trouble.
10Those who know Your name will put their trust in You. For You, O Lord, have never left alone those who look for You.
Lord, I get anxious and frightened whenever I see words such as “suffer” and “trouble” in the readings. Satan puts silly thoughts in my head… things like – “If you get too close to God, be ready because He’s going to test You to see how far You can go. Be ready to suffer or else don’t get too close”. Lord God, help me! Please banish these evil thoughts. I know that You are my Father and Savior. You love me more than anyone can ever do. Teach me to be not afraid. Help me put my trust in You. Help me to love You more. You never leave alone those who put their trust in You. Amen.
Psalm 9:1-12
6Remember, the man who plants only a few seeds will not have much grain to gather. The man who plants many seeds will have much grain to gather.Off to work/study I go.
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