Thank You International Auto Source!!!

Have you met a person who seems to always lift your spirit when you are around them or when you call them? They always say encouraging word, they always keep you fired up and when they leave, it seems that they left something hopeful. It’s not that they have all the answers, but they just know what to do and what to say.

Guess what, people from International Auto Source are like that. IAS is a company who provides car for people who are relocating from another country to the USA. And as a foreigner without a driving history and a credit history in the US, I had a hard time going to a bank and asking for a loan. IAS trusted us with their money and services.  Matthew and Douglas took care of everything, and mind you, as an experienced sales person, I know who is sincere or who is not. These people are so sincere, you just can’t believe that it’s true. They keep a very professional attitude and they try to really understand your situation. They make it a point to encourage you and lift you up during your car waiting time. On top of that, they are helping out our own countrymen at Hospicio De San Jose at Manila, Philippines.  I believe that this company will someday be big for their greatest assets are their sincere and hardworking people.

I believe we should all learn from this company. When we wake up in the morning, let’s set an example for someone. Let us try to impact someone. Matthew and Douglas made an impact to me when they called and did all my paperwork. They made it a point to give me updates. When you inspire someone, you impact someone in your life; you help them to rise higher; you help them to be greater than you; you help them to be a better person. In short you are an enabler.

Today, make it a point to encourage your friends, your co-workers, your siblings and most specially your customers. You are called to encourage people and bless people. Do it not because it’s your job, do it because God tells you to do so. Find a way to lift others people’s spirit, because you are the hands and feet of God in this earth.

Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out (Ephesians 6:18).

So if you are a new or a relocating foreigner, try International Auto Source, you will never go wrong!

http://www.intlauto.com/default.aspx

To Matthew and Douglas. You did a great job! Keep up the good work!!! And to the management of IAS, these people are great! They deserve a raise. LOL!

5 Reasons Why God Uses Problems

I got this from an email and thought of sharing it to you guys. Enjoy reading…


5 Reasons Why God Uses Problems

The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you - depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring. Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:

1. God uses problems to DIRECT you. Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.

2. God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags...if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot ever water! Has God tested your faith with a problem. What do problems reveal about you? When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.

3. God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something... health, money, a relationship. .. by losing it. "It was the best thing! that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws."

4. God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a! year later when management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good."

5. God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship with God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. We can rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.

Here's the point:

God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him. Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way.

Touch a heart, leave a hope, stroke a faith and lend a hand.
Live simply, expect little, give much. Fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine. Forget self, think of others...... ....

Learning What and Who to Ignore!

Phil 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.

We should all learn to know what to ignore, if you are going to live in victory, we have to learn to choose how to prioritize things and know what to ignore.  What thoughts to ignore, what comments to ignore, and most specially, who people to ignore.  Every battle that comes into our path is not a battle that we are supposed to fight. I believe it is God who should fight for you. So instead of battling that person, that comment, that thought, let God do the fight.  And to tell you the truth my friends, many battles are just distractions to simply delay us into getting our own victory in life. A good example of a delaying tactic of the devil is the story of Michael the Archangel who was supposed to go to Daniel, he got delayed along the way by fighting the devil along the way in a battle.

Let me tell you something, if that battle is not a God given destiny, I believe it should be ignored! That person in your office or work that always keeps getting into your nerve, that person posting in your facebook account who always makes unnecessary comments, people who makes a sarcastic comments. Don’t try to talk to them, don’t try to straighten them out, if you will do that, you will just waste valuable time and energy by stooping down to their level. Instead, you should be pursuing your dreams.  It is just a distraction my friend, ignore it! That family member that gives you a headache, ignore him/her, that neighbor who is gossiping something about you, ignore it! That boss or co-worker who tells bad stories about you, ignore it! That person who is not happy if you got something good, ignore it! You can try to prove something to them, but it will just frustrate you my friend. You don’t need their approval! You got God’s approval.  I will repeat it again my friend, you don’t have to fight every battle!

And I believe if we will focus on our goal and ignore things along the way, we could get to our goal as soon as possible. Just like in driving, if we keep on focusing on the potholes and the slow bumps on the road, the busses at edsa, the jeepney drivers, the person who has a better car or the one who cut you, we will just get frustrated; we will just get mad at them and lose our temper and patience. But if we keep on looking towards our goal or destination and ignore those distractions, I am sure you will enjoy the ride. I am not denying their existence here my friend, what I am saying here is that, let us learn to ignore and let things go.

A friend of my who is working with foreigners started to make fun of his accent and his nationality, he was like the joke every time he gets into their office, if he will try to prove something to these people, he will just get frustrated, he will just be irritated, but instead, he chose to ignore it, he chose to live in victory.

And just recently, I was talking to a person about my situation here, she kept on insisting that I was to blame on how slow my transition is, she kept on blaming me on the delay and processing, but I chose to ignore her comments, I chose to ignore her complains to me. Because I don’t want to get affected. If we will learn how to ignore these things, I am sure we are on our way to victory.  Always remember this my friend, what they say about you, doesn’t determine who you are. What they think about you, doesn’t say whose you are.  You are the child of the most High God! The creator of the universe! Learn to ignore those things!

Don’t waste your valuable time trying to win other people, don’t waste your time trying to please them, all you have to do is please our God and everything will follow.  There will always be critics and judge-mental(half judge, half mental…LOL) people around you.  And if you enter in that battle with them, I am sure you will never win, because it is a non-sense battle. Nobody wins in a non-sense battle, because non-sense silang mga tao…  And you just have to accept the fact that some people will never be going to celebrate life with you. Meaning, maiinis pa sila if you achieved something, or they will get bitter of what you got. And you will never satisfy them.  And that’s okay my friend, God will give you people who can celebrate that with you, the right people who can cheer for you and help you fulfill your destiny.

Even Jesus had problems with these so called Pharisees. Jesus healed people during His time, pero nagalit at nainis parin ang mga jologs na Pharisees sa kanya. Guess what Jesus did during His time, when He healed the sick, raise the dead, Jesus ignored His naysayers, His distracters, His offenders. Jesus chose not to listen to their negative comments and distractions. Because He knows that it will just distract Him from His original purpose or goal… Which is to give us VICTORY in life!!!

So what are you waiting for? Mang dead ma ka na ngayon! Now na! (Start ignoring now!)

Let's Talk...

Matt 6:8: Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Have you ever prayed to God and thought that your answers will not be answered? Or you think it was really impossible to be done and all of a sudden it was provided? I believe God knows what we need before we even speak them. Because God knows what we really need and want. He wants to provide for us, every desires of our heart.

I still don’t have a car here in the US, and everyday, God provides me transportation to and from work. And just recently, I applied for a US drivers license, I asked God to pass me on the writing and actual exam. And guess what? My prayers were answered. A lot of people are negative on the exam, that it is difficult, one of my co-applicant failed several times in the writing and the practical exam, which makes me nervous. To add up to the pressure, I don’t even know the rules yet of US and besides, driving in US is totally different in the Philippines, like instead of slowing down in the highway, you should speed up. So I just started asking God to give me wisdom and strength to overcome this. Fortunately I passed with God’s help. And I just want to encourage you my friend that God knows your needs before you even speak them. He wants to provide for you. Don’t you ever think that God will not answer your prayers. In fact He is always there waiting for you to talk to Him and ask Him some favors and provision, He loves to hear your voice. Just like me to my daughters, I know what they need, I know what they want, I know that they need to eat, have shelter over them, I know that they need clothes, I know that they need some reward. But I also want to hear their voice, I want to see them talking to me. When you put your trust in Him, I am sure He will bless you.

Always remember this my friend, our God looks us at very special, He hears our prayers. The answers may not be now or the way you expected it, but believe me, He hears it and is working on it.

You are blessed Aly, Kishi and Zeyah!!!

As a parent, we can influence the direction of our children’s lives by the words we say to them. Our children need to hear positive, encouraging and uplifting words of blessings. You can begin speaking truth anytime. I always say this, there is power over our words, every time we speak a word to them, it will cultivate and digest into their minds. If we keep on telling them that they are a failure, they will eventually fail. So why don’t we start declaring that our child is a blessing, our child will overcome the challenges in their lives.

Friends, start speaking God’s word over your children, your nieces and kahit kanino man, before they go to school, declare blessings instead of a curse. Let me share you an example, kung lagi mong sasabihan ng “bobo” ang anak mo, eventually magiging “bobo” talaga ito, but if you will declare and speak blessing and tell them that they are good or they are smart, that positive declaration will be in their minds and will show up.

And whether we realize it or not, our words will affect our children’s future for either good or evil. We need to speak loving words of approval and acceptance, word that encourage, inspire and motivate our children to reach for new heights. And too often we preach to our children by making a sermon like a Pastor, telling them “bakit ang baba ng grades mo!” “bakit bagsak ka nanaman” “bakit ang bobo bobo mo!” and a lot more!!! Such negative words will cause our children to lose the sense of value nila.

I like what my wife is doing sa mga anak namin, she keeps on telling our children that they are blessed and smart and they are loved by God.She keeps on telling to them na mahal na mahal naming sila. Though most of the time may mga mali sila sa exam, my wife always makes it a point to tell them na okay lang magkamali and not to do the same mistake. She always tell them to look on the brighter side of the exam, na mas madami silang tama kaysa sa mali.

Let us always remember, that if we curse our children by speaking negative words over them, we are cursing their future. Sabi nga ni Spiderman, with great powers, comes with great responsibility and we have a responsibility as a parent over our child to make sure that they are loved, accepted and blessed! Always remember that a blessing is not a blessing unless it is spoken!

Congratulations Mommy, Alyssa, Akeisha and Zeya! You are loved by Mommy and Daddy, You are all blessed!

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not.

Have you ever heard somebody quote this before, "you have to be good, you have to go to church weekly, or daily, you have to do good deeds in order for you to go to heaven or for God to love you more?" Yes, I’ve heard those quotes several times!!! "You have to love God more, serve in the church etcetera etcetera…" And I was reading another pastor’s blog and he defined what the true definition of love is, this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us…. Yes, it is not about how we love Him, or how we serve Him, but how He loved us first!

Yes, the Bible clearly instructs that we must love God will all our heart, soul and strength. Jesus also said that when He was still on earth. But like what the pastor said, that was before He died on the cross… At the cross, Jesus died and became the fulfillment of all the prophecies. Instead us doing the loving with all our heart, all our souls and strength, He himself did that, He gave His heart, soul and strength by giving up His own very body and life on the cross for us all.

I was talking to a friend and he was explaining how a divorce should be done according to the bible, sabi the person should the other person on his/her face, remove the slipper etcetera, he was explaining how to worship God as said in the old testament in the bible, he was trying to be a religious scholar to me, he was explaining how we should not commit adultery. On how we should follow the 10 commandments. I clearly explained to him my friend, that today, we are no longer under that law, Jesus waived that laws for us, because we are no longer under that law, but under His mighty GRACE! And grace clearly tells us that God loves us first, not that we love Him.

Just like to my daughters, I don’t love them because they love me or their mom, I simply love my children for who they are, I simply love them not because they do something for us? Or they have been good girls or got an honor from the school or cleaned the house? We (Puppen and I) love them because simply they are our children. Same with our God, He loves us because He loves us first.Because He loves us, God wants you to sit down and relax and let Him love you instead. He loves you unconditionally regardless of what you have done, where you have been, His love is not dependent on what you did. God will not stop loving you. The more you receive His love, the more you will give it in return.

Lights, Camera, Action!

You know what my friend, the Bible tells us about trials and tribulations in this world, in short we will all have trials in or lives. Darating at darating sa buhay mo na magkakaruon ka talaga ng challenges in life. There will come a time na mahihirapan ka sa mga bagay bagay, kung hindi sa pera, sa love life (if not in your finances, it will happen in your love life), your parenting skills will be challenged, you patience in your job will be challenged. All of us will pass this. But one thing is only certain, we can just be a good cheer because when these situation arises, it is just a set up or a preparation for your own VICTORY! If you are going through a hard time right now, let me tell you my friend, IT IS NOT yet OVER!!!

When I was working with my boss in the Philippines, we had some changes, changes in the configuration of the area of coverage, changes in the people, assignment and everything. Guess what my boss told me during those times of change and trials. He said “Birth pains lang yan mike, it will come to pass”. Same with you today my friend, you may be undergoing trials, you maybe thinking bakit nangyari ito sakin, bakit ako na deny ng visa, bakit di ako nakapasa sa exam, bakit ang tagal tagal, bakit ganito ang buhay ko!!! Let me encourage you my friend, ngayon lang yan, birth pains lang yan. I believe malalagpasan mo din yan!!!

Let’s look at it at a directors perspective, our God is the director of our lives, He directs all of our steps, our action, our decisions in life. Like a director in the movies, as much as possible, the director wants the whole attention to the main character in the movie, He wants the main actor to sometimes be beaten up, sometimes to undergo a very demanding scene, like bubugbugin muna, or meron mangyayari di maganda sa buhay, or a disaster will strike or somebody will be killed or a business bankrupt or whatever downing circumstances, the main actor will encounter conflict or opposition. But as the director finishes the movie, he makes it a point to finish the movie with a BANG! He makes it a point that all things will turn around in the end. I know you will say it’s just a movie, but our God is the greatest director of them all. I mean, all movies or let’s just say majority of the blockbuster movies always end happy. If you are to watch a failed movie, will you like it? When you are watching a movie, you know that deep inside it will turn out right diba? Even though you don’t know what will happen next.

You know what my friend, sometimes we have to look at our lives the same way in the movies, you may not be as good looking like Piolo Pascual or Tom Cruise, you may look like Piyolo Pascolo or Thomas Cruz, but let me tell you something you have a great director, working behind the scenes. You have to recognize that your life story is not yet over! IT ISN’T over yet my friend, it is just starting! You maybe in the middle of situation right now! But its not yet over! There will be a time that the main actor will prevail over the enemy, same with your life, there will come a time all things will turn around for you. There will come a time you will beat that enemy, there will come a time you will end in VICTORY!!!!

For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4

Be still, and know that I am God

People are talking about tsunami, earthquake and everything. And time will come that the earth or the world will come to an end, the Bible clearly talks about that time. And let me tell you my friend that a lot of people will get upset and have problem about that. And these trials and tribulations will come in our lives. Actually, we all have of these every day. It doesn’t matter if how good a person we are, or how many good deeds you have done in your life, or what religion you have, or what beliefs you’ve been doing, or what country are you in…All of us will experience this trials, all of us will experience rain, typhoons, tsunamis in our lives, WE will be having PROBLEMS in our lives!!! And when these earthquake and tsunamis come, a lot of people use their faith to try to control their own circumstances. They try to control everything by using their so called faith to stop the problem, to stop the situation, to control the other person, to pray over that tsunami.

I’ve found out that, sometimes, instead of controlling that situation, it is better to control our own selves! I believe that it is better to control myself in the midst of my situation. I know that if we will just remain still in the storms of our lives and stay in peace with God. That will allow Him to act on my behalf. God never said there would not be trials and difficulties in life, He did not say you will have a perfect life, He actually said we will have lots of trials and problems in life, but He did promises we could pass those, He did said we can have peace in the middle of that storm, in the middle of that situation, in the middle of that trials! When we face that problem, one of the most powerful strongest thing we could do right now is to stay calm and to not listen to those negative voices that we hear. When you keep on focusing on the problem, you are making the problem bigger, instead of making Him bigger! Always remember when we are at peace, we are displaying your faith in God! By the actions you are doing, you are saying, “God you still in control, I know You are still bigger than this situation”

So keep in mind my friend, God is still good, He is still the creator of the Heaven and the Earth.

Psalm 46:10 
¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”

Signs of End Times

With the recent happenings in Japan, I am having doubts right now, I am afraid of what will happen in the next few days, months and years. Is this really the end of the world? And to tell you the truth, I am also doubting now. When I watched the news and what happened to Japan, I asked God, are you still there? Hello… why is this happening? Why is this happening? Earthquake in Japan, tsunami, riot and political problems in Middle East, there is this political problem here in the US, flood and hurricane also. I was asking God, is this what you call your promise land? Or what? I was asking Him, why my Lord oh why? I was crying over that situation!

If you are like me, I want to tell you something, that the present of faith, doesn’t mean there will be an absence of doubt! Yes, you heard me right, you can always doubt, but always remember that God is always there. Yes, sometimes you will ask, but always remember that God is still always in control. He is in charge of everything and besides, everything is written on the BIBLE that this day would come. It’s just a matter of where you are really going? Heaven or Hell…no in betweens!

Anyways, let me share you about a story about a doubting believer, his name is Thomas, actually he was already named “doubting Thomas”, when Jesus rose from the dead and was already seen by other believers and Christians, Thomas said, “I will not believe that Christ is alive not unless I see and touch His nailed hand.” When Jesus visited the disciples, He went straight towards to Thomas, the doubter, just like you and me, doubting right now about what’s happening. Jesus said “Thomas, look at my hands.” Take a second to meditate on this my friends, Jesus was not condemning Thomas, He was actually proving Himself that He is alive; He was trying to restore Thomas faith in Him.

Just like now my friend, maybe this situation has made you some doubts and clouded your mind, let me encourage you, God is still alive, we may not see Him, feel Him, hear Him, but He is there, waiting for us to believe and remove that doubt in our mind. And whatever earthquake or tsunami, or issue, problems that you have right now, I believe God is still there for you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will continue to reach out His nail scarred hands and will restore your faith, remove your doubts; He will restore your strength, finances, your marriage, your very own life!!!

J.A.P.A.N. (Just Always Pray At Night)

Have you heard about the man out on his boat enjoying fishing as a hobby, then he encountered a terrible storm? His boat was trapped in an island and he ended all by himself.  Weeks went by and he was so miserable, so problematic.  He didn’t think he would ever be found by the authorities.  He prayed every day, but it seemed like God is not answering his prayers.  He tried to make the most out of it.  He even built a small bahay kubo for his shelter and became quite good at fishing.

Time passed and there were no signs of his situation changing. In fact, one day just when he thought it couldn’t possibly get any worse, he was out trying to find food and came back to find the little bahay kubo he had built was on fire. He just sat there, stunned, watching the only thing he had left going up in flames. It was like pouring salt on his wounds. He fell to his knees and said, “God, I give up. I asked You to help me, but one bad thing after another keeps happening.”

Well, about an hour later, the Coast Guard showed up to rescue him. The man couldn’t believe it! He was thrilled. He said, “How in the world did you find me?” They said, “We saw the smoke coming from that huge fire you built.”

Friend, sometimes what looks like a disappointment to us is really God positioning us to go to a new level. Maybe you feel like this man, hit by the storms of life alone on an island with your bahay kubo on fire. Maybe your one of the many people struck by the earthquake and tsunami at Japan, you were just hit by earthquake, massive flood and after that putik naman…then no food, no water, no transportation, then all of a sudden, here come’s the government agencies, United Nation, US Marines, Japanese Government, different local and multinational companies, in the spirit of worldwide unity helping you out and giving massive assistance to everybody.  Maybe your favorite car floated along with the trees, be happy that you are not on it. Maybe your house is damage because of the flood, be positive that you aren’t there and still alive and now your house is up to a major general cleaning which you are really planning way back pa.

Instead of getting negative and bitter, recognize that God still has a good plan for your life. He’s working behind the scenes. He’s taking those disappointments and discouragements, and He’s using them to launch you into freedom. Even when you don’t understand what’s happening in your circumstances, understand that God is using them for your good. He has a plan to bless and prosper you and bring you out better and stronger than ever before!

How to Beat Monday Morning Blues?

Sometimes when we wake up in the morning, we wake up feeling not good, we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, masama ang gising, we don’t feel very excited, other’s call it Monday blues, or bed weather, or you had a fight with your boss, or friend or spouse, or any kind of excuses not to be productive for the day. But just because we feel that emotion doesn’t mean we have to stay in that situation, we can rebuke that emotion and move forward in God’s plan for you on that day.

I was reading David’s story in the Bible, who had lots of situation to get into a bad day. Yes, he killed Goliath, yes he was the king of Israel that time, yes he was rich and yet, he still struggled with being problematic and discouraged. I am not saying be a hypocrite, what I am saying here is that, you are not alone, everybody experiences this, I myself is guilty with this, minsan naiinis talaga ako sa araw ko, don’t say magiging maganda lang mood ko “if I get a good job, or if I have more money, if I pass this exam, if I hit my target, if I have a boyfriend/girlfriend, or a different spouse” then ill be in a good mood… That’s a big no my friend, you may be thinking of that, but all of us should be fighting the temptation to resist this feeling.

I like what I heard in the church, stop looking at your problems and start looking at your God, I believe its also David who said that quote in the Bible. That tells me that true joy is only found in God, when you take your eyes away from your problem and turn it to God, believe something will happen.  I like what another quote, instead of talking how big your mountain is, start talking to that mountain how big your God is!

One thing I learned along the way is that we should not be deciding our day on how we feel, we should be deciding our day on how our God is. I believe God has a great plan for us EVERYDAY! When we wake up and with all those negative, discouraging thoughts and feelings, start rebuking it. Never give in to your emotions and let them keep you from God’s blessings. You can decide to have a great day, a blessed day. You can start this by saying a prayer instead of complaining. You can start it by declaring blessings in your life today. Read your Bible and be blessed!!!

Winner or Whiner?

This is a drawing of my good friend Adrian Banico, from Hollywood California, I was meditating a while ago and a champion’s mentality came into me.  Out of the million sperm cells that what produced by your biological father, that was planted to your mom’s egg cell, isa ka dun sa nanalo, you where created to be one of a kind. Isa ka sa million million sperm cell na pinalabas ng iyong ama, at isa ka sa nanalo, well infact, sobrang hirap daw ng condition sa luob ng iyong mother, like developing from a sperm to a full grown baby inside her womb, depending sa nutrients na binibigay niya. Then ito ka na ngayon, buhay sa mundong ibabaw.

Let me tell you something friend, if you are having problems right now versus the other million in this world, let me encourage that you have a champions mentality na naka-implant sa iyo, nanalo ka na nuon pa man, nanalo ka na sa race nuon pa man sa luob ng sinapupunan ng iyong ina, you have won before against millions of other sperms, you did it before, why can’t you do it now? Kaya mo yan friend. God has implanted in you a winners mentality, remove that doubt in your head na you are a failure, and replace it with a winners attitude! Win Win Win! Fight Fight Fight!!!

My Girl, My Woman, My Friend.

when my work is through at the end of the day

there's nothing else that i'd rather do

than to be with you at the end of the day

to be right by your side makes me feel brand new

'cause you're my girl, my woman, my friend

and that's how it's gonna be till the end.

loving you is what i live for

and i can't ask for anything more

you're my woman, my girl, and my friend

rolled into one.

you're my man and i'm at the prime of my life

to you i give myself, all my heart

all of what i am at the prime of my life

i'll never let a thing come to break us apart

'cause i'm your girl, your woman, your friend

and that's how it's gonna be till the end.

loving you is what i live for

and i can't ask for anything more

than to be your woman, your girl, and your friend.

being with you, my love, just makes my day complete

holding you close my love, creates a wondrous treat.

no need to say the words

no fancy places for me.

love is anywhere

as long as you are there with me.

we'll be free.

our love will make us free to be you and me. 

What Color is Your Blood?

Being in a foreign country, discrimination will always be around, even if you don’t say it, meron parin discrimination mangyayari, And right now I am working in a nursing home at Tennessee, and guess what, bilang lang ata sa mga kamay ko ang asian’s dito. Their accent is really different, it’s different English, LOL… they usually mistake me for Japanese or a Mexican. And this is what you call “walls”, some people don’t associate with other people because they are not like themselves. They don’t dress like us; they don’t live in the same neighborhood. They don’t have the same color. They are not our same nationality, not the same religion etcetera….

And one thing I learn is that God doesn’t love people according to their color, nationality, faith, house or religion. Actually God loves variety. But sometimes we get stuck in our own little thinking, I am not saying we are bad people, but admit it, we all have these attitudes. Like one time at the church, this so called Christian said, “Di ako papasok sa catholic church kasi born again ako and its against my beliefs” (I will not enter a catholic church because I am a born again). Or I am staying away from that person because he/she is an Iglesia ni Cristo or Dating Daan or El shaddai or Born Again or Baptist or whatever… I will stay away because she is unclean or a sinner or not yet a believer, or he/she is asian or black or white or whatever… they are a CNA only or a nurse or a therapist, medical rep, specialist, we are on the top management position. But let me tell you something my friend, God uses all people, all walks of life… Every person that has breath to breathe is created by God. And who are we to judge them? Have we been in there shoes? Nobody can choose our nationality, our color, our upbringing, our surnames, but God did that, He chose that. And guess what, you can’t disrespect God’s children and expect Him to bless you at the same time. Stop judging people by what they do. And the bottom line is, we all have the same color of our BLOOD… RED!!! No matter what you look like, no matter where you’ve come from, no matter what your religion is, no matter how you worship God, your blood is still RED!!! You are still my KAPATID!

Don't just associate with people who are like you; associate with people you can learn from, grow with, people who will help you see a different perspective on life. Remember, God created all of us on purpose and for a purpose. When you broaden your thinking and love all people, you are honoring God and opening the door for Him to bless you and use you in ways you never thought possible!

The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7b, NIV).

Butterfly Kisses

Everything we do produces a seed and grows something for our future generations. Meron tayong kasabihan na “Kung ano ang puno, siya ang bunga”.  People may not always hear what you say, but they are going to observe your life.  Sabi nga ni Pastor Jason dati sa sermon niya, out of 10 people, one will only ready their bible, the rest will read your life.  I know that I can tell my children Alyssa and Akeisha how they are supposed to behave, but the truth is they are going to do whatever they see me doing.  My children will respond to life the way I respond to my life or to my situation.

 Last time na nagusap kami ng mga anak ko, ang sabi sa akin “Daddy, huwag ka naman laging galit kay Mommy, lagi ka nalang galit eh”, when I heard that, natawa lang ako, pero deep inside para akong nanlumo kasi nga ginagaya talaga nila ako, actually, di lang ako nanlumo, naiyak pa nga ako…L  When they grow up, they will also model that lifestyle, that is why I think it is very important pala to have a good example before our children, kahit paminsan minsan or dapat pala palagi, dapat magpakita tayo ng maganda asal sa mga bata.  We are drawing with our lifestyle, our attitude and our children put their minds on it, in short ginagaya talaga nila tayo. L

Today friends, I encourage you to mold our children, if you have not set the best example, I think today is a new day.  I think it is never too late to change, to create a new vision, a new purpose in our homes and paint a new one that we can pass down to our own children.

Remember, through our example we are investing in generations to come. Let's leave a stepping stones, not stumbling blocks, and build a lasting legacy of faith.