Rejoice

"Break forth together into singing." That's exactly what we do at the strike of 12 midnight every Christmas. Our family together with other families in community, gathers together and makes worshiping the Lord the first agenda in celebrating Christmas.

Isaiah 52:9 gives us the reason for singing joyfully during Christmas: "for the Lord has comforted his people." Christmas is the time we remember Jesus' coming into the world to save us. Christmas is the time we celebrate God's great love for us. And so there is so much reason to sing, rejoice and give thanks!

Today, make it a point to be joyful. Whatever situation you may find yourself in, there is a reason to rejoice. Christ has come to save us. God's love is available to us. Aside form being joyful, take time to give thanks. And as you recount your blessings, you will experience your joy well up inside of you.

And so, Merry Christmas to all! May the love and joy of Jesus fill your hearts and your families today.

"I give You thanks, Jesus, for coming into the world to save us. Amen"

"Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas; Star and angels gave the sign."

Equitable

I remember learning the word "equitable" in a vocabulary exercise when I was in elementary. It touched me when I realized that the Master in today's parable was indeed equitable. "Equitable" means something characterized by equity or fairness. The adjective pertains to something just or right, fair or reasonable. The Master was equally pleased with the slave who turned in five talents and the one who turned in two. Why? Because the former was given five talents and doubled it; the latter was given two talents and likewise ,multiplied it. The Master did not demand of the slave given fewer talents to produce an amount equal to the one who was given more. He was only disappointed with the one who did not use what he was given.

The Lord made each of us unique, with little bits and pieces of His very own image. He will not ask us to do things that He will not enable us to accomplish. He asks us only to be faithful to His plan for us to and not to be overcome by fear.

If the Lord is asking you to do something for Him, trust that He is also equipping you. So do it and share the Master's joy!

Wise Words: "God does not have to come and tell me what I mus do for Him, He brings me into a relationship with Himself where I hear His call and understand what He wants me to do, and I do it out of sheer love of Him." Oswald Champbers.

Prayer: "Thank You, Father for giving me all the gifts and talents I need to be faithful to my calling as Your servant. Amen."

Distraction

One of my passions is fixing and organizing homes, though I never had a degree in interior decorating. I am happy to help family and friends when they call help to upgrade or refurbish their homes. This time it was our basement, we were building two rooms for our sons. I found myself caught up in all details, dealing with hardware stores, furniture shops, electrical concerns, plumbing and so on. The confusion and noise within me surfaced when I moved too fast and prayed less. The results came out, only to make me regret that it could have been better. I believe that it was the Lord's way of telling me that my relationship with Him was subtly fading away. Instead of asking Him to guide me, I kept moving and deciding on my own.

Are you in the same predicament? Is the excitement of making more money or other passions distracting you from prioritizing the Lord? Do you spend time with Him? More than anything else, we need to take care of our relationships with Him before taking care of other concerns.

Come into His presence now, and receive His peace.

Wise Words: "Love of Christ does not distract us from interest in others, but rather invites us to responsibility for them, to the exclusion of no one." Pope John Paul II

Prayer: "Dear Lord, I am sorry for allowing the things of this world to distract me and skip my precious time with You. Grant me the grace to focus on You now. Amen."

"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." John 6:27

Different Rest

Several months ago, I was shocked to hear news from my sister that something happened to our 13-year-old niece, the daughter of my first cousin. My niece, together with her aunt and family went for an outing in a beach. While enjoying the cool water, she was accidentally hit by lightning. She was rushed to the hospital and the doctors tried to revive her, but to no avail. Surprisingly, her whole body did not get burned; only a part of her chest did.

What ministered to me was the attitude of my cousin toward the incident. She never questioned God and asked why He allowed such a thing to happen. She just said that God had a purpose why He took her daughter at an early age. Although she would miss her daughter, she knew that her daughter was now with the Lord. And it was only the Lord whom she could depend on and find rest in. Such a woman of faith! During the lowest point in her life, it was the Lord she held on to.

Are you experiencing trials in your life? Just come to the Lord and He will give you true rest for your soul.

Wise Words: "You have created us for Yourself, and our heart cannot be stilled until it finds rest in You." St. Augustine


Prayer: "Dear Lord, thank You for the irreplaceable rest that You give me. Please strenghthen, me especially when I am burdened. Amen"


"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

The Hand of God

A new missions community was scheduled to open within six weeks. My wife was to head this new flock. We both knew what it was going to take both spiritually and financially. We were going to need, initially, a sound system, speakers, microphones, cables, laptop and LCD projector. In our walk with the Lord, we learned to trust Him for our needs.

Twice a month, I serve in a community in Makati City where gatherings are held in the company garage. I noticed that two or three laptops in their office seemed to be not in use. So I asked them if they would sell me one of the laptops. "Sure," they said. The price: only Php 6,500! I said, "I'll take it! I'll take it!" I could take it home after they had fixed it up and loaded a few programs.

After sometime, I dropped by to say that I'd have the money ready. They said I didn't have to pay them anything! I said , "What?!" They were giving me the laptop as an offering to the Lord!

Friend, whom the Lord calls, He equips! All the glory belongs to Him!

Wise Words: "Nothing can happen to a believer; without God's ordering and permission. There is no such things as 'chance,' 'luck' or 'accident' in the Christian's journey. All is arranged and appointed by God." JC Ryle

Prayer: "Lord, I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. I thank You even now for providing for all my needs. Amen."

"The king granted me what I asked, for the gracious hand of my God was upon me." Nehemiah 2:8

Expressed Love

I was in tears after I talked over the phone with my former high school classmate. She was in dire need of money for her son who was in a private hospital scheduled for immediate appendectomy, and I could not extend help. My husband and I were leaving that night for an important out of town meeting that would incur expenses. I cried before the Lord on bended knees to intercede for her need. I told the Lord, "If I love this friend of mine, I know You love her more." I also claimed healing for her son, invoking that by the stripes of Jesus her son was healed (Isaiah 53:5).

God expressed Hi love: within minutes her son was transferred to a government hospital and someone gave money to enable her son to undergo surgery. Two days after, our former high school classmates gave an amount that helped provide for the post-operation medications. It was a success!

Does somebody need your help or are you in terrible need? It may be in the area of finances, health, relationships or freedom from sin. Come before the Lord for He is always open to help you. Yes, His love endures forever.

"Lord, I need Your love that I may be an instrument of You love to others. Amen."

Saved in the Flood

 It seemed like just a slight flood, with no problems. I was wrong. Within minutes the water rose to the elevated garage. We quickly rounded up the drivers and maids to lift furniture, food and other items to the second floor. The water finally entered the house. My parents and I prayed aggressively, even as I felt the water quickly rise from my feet to above my ankles. I made some phone calls, hoping to find some rescue team to help us get out, if necessary. We then just waited it out on the second floor, as the first floor was already submerged. And we prayed. God's salvation came. After several hours, though it continued to rain, the water stopped rising. After a few more hours, it began to recede. By 6 AM of the next morning, though the stench of muck remained, the "rushing river" inside and outside the house was gone.

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). Though the cross, Jesus has given us a quality of life where salvation is available to us everyday. Yes, Christ saves us from sin, as well as its negative effects in this fallen world.

Let us live out Christ's salvation for us, thanking Him for this greatest of gifts.


"Dear Jesus, thank You for constantly saving me. Amen."

"The good news is that in the face of Jesus Christ we see the very face of God, the One who has decided to be with us and for us in spite of our sin." Kevin Vanhoozer

Burden Light

In the province, my days starts very early. I leave the house at dawn, just in time to catch the town's only daily Mass at 6 AM. Without fail, as the car passes through the gate on my way to church, I see people already queuing up at our door, waiting for us to receive their requests for assistance. This is, of course, a common practice since my husband is a public servant, and we do try our best to help everyone. Sometimes, however, it can try one's patience, especially if the same people return again and again, and some for obviously concocted reasons.

 Living a life of servant leadership is possible only by God's gifting. For from where can one draw compassion, wisdom, patience and resources --- all that are necessary to minister to God's people on a day to day basis, and still be God wills it and thus provides for His servants. So then, He renews us in strength each day, keeping us always equipped to joyfully minister to His people. Then, the yoke is easy, and the burden light!

 "O Lord, thank You for granting in us a burden for souls, and giving us the means to lighten it by serving You with joy each day! Amen."

 "Serving must become a spiritual discipline. The flesh connives againts its hiddenness and sameness. Two of the deadliest of our sins --- sloth and pride --- loathe serving." Donald Whitney

Fly Wheel

Flywheel is an American Christian drama film about a car salesman who intentionally overcharges his customers until reaching a turning point in his life where he decides to end his shady business practices and become a Christian. Alex Kendrick both directed the film and starred in the lead role, and with Stephen Kendrick co-wrote the film. Flywheel also stars Lisa Arnold and Tracy Goode.
First released on April 9, 2003, this movie is the first full-length feature film by Sherwood Pictures, which now includes the production of Facing the Giants, Fireproof and the upcoming film Courageous. (source from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flywheel_%28film%29) Wikipedia website

Here is a the trailer of the film:



Buy the movie now! And be inspires!

It's on Me

Saying that my friends and I love to eat out is an understatement. We are the types who converse endlessly about food during a meal. We like trying new restaurant and save up to be able to pay for an out-ofothis-world gastronomic experience.

Now imagine yourself having to go through a menu where the most in expensive item is a glass of soda for 150 pesos. Ridiculous! But you scan through the menu anyway and still order the best-seller in the restaurant, closing your eyes and saying it's all worth it. Then at the end of the meal, when reality bites and you say, "Time to pay the bill," the waiter comes and says, "No charge, it's all been  paid for." Forsure you'd be dumbfounded.

Grace is like a meal in a restaurant you eat in everyday where your tab is eternally paid for. God, through Jesus Christ, has eternally paid for our sins, which is why we are able to partake of His goodness.

Ways of Life

Last year, I celebrated my 50th birthday. I say this with emphaisis because when I was in my 20's, I could only imagine myself at some job until the age 40. I could not imagigne what my life could be like after  that age. My life then was ---- nothing. But I did not know yet the  power of God, who came into my life when I was 32. After that, life weas never the same again! The Lord has taught me many things, among them the value of giving, as well as His forgiveness and compassion.

Indeed, the Lord has made known to me the ways of life ---- His way. And as long as He remains the Lord of my life, I know that He will continue to teach me even if I reach 100. And I look forward to this with anticipation.

Psalm 16:11 says. "You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Jesus confirmed this when He said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."


"O God, from my yout you have taught me and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me" ( Psalm 71:17-18). Amen

Experience tells me that people's hearts are seldom changed if they are not changed when young."

The Greatest Wonder

"It's amazing, " I uttered, as I looked up to see the top of Taipei 101, the second tallest building in the world of with its 101 floors above the ground. People of different nationalities took turns to ride the elevator in order to reach the observation deck on the 89th floor. It took us only 37 seconds to reach the deck. The elevator operator said that we just rode the fastest and safest elevator in the world. At the deck, I stood at the glass window overlooking all of Taipei. Together with my husband, we looked at the beautiful buildings and bridges way down below. I learned that Taipei 101 was built within four years by the best engineers chosen from different parts of the globe.

But there is One whose accomplishment is truly marvelous. He created the whole universe. He made all the living things. He made these all, in just six days! His name is "I am who Am." He is our Father God, the Creator, Author and Giver of life. Nobody can surpass the great works He has done. We are His greatest creation.

If we are awed by man-made things, how much more ought we give all tghe praise and worship due our God, Maker of heaven and earth!


"It id absolutely illogical to believe that profoundly intricate designs have come into existence by self-generation. The more simple conclusion is that there is an immeasurably great Creator and Benefactor." Gordon Olson

Privilege

If I had been told 20 years ago that I would be driving eight hours to and from Quezon province every Saturday, 52 weeks in a year, for the next six years, I would have said, "No way!" I have no concern, whatsoever, for anyone other than myself, my family and my work. I couldn't be bothered by any cause or project that would require my whole attention and effort every Saturday of my life forever.

But the Lord had other plans. Slowly, surely, one step at a time, He was drawing me inexplicably into the joy and wonder of being His follower and servant. He taught me to put His teachings of love and mercy into practice.

Today, by His grace, I go with a team of servants on mission to Quezon every Saturday, rain or shine, with much or little. It is with great joy and compassion that we consider our prayer meetings, house visits and trekking through new territories, praying over the sick and lonely, encouraging the weak and weary, and sharing our food with the hungry. What a privilege it is to serve God this way.

What and whom are you living for? You will find true purpose only when you start living for God and others.

"My heart tells me that if I have the happiness of being employed in this mission, I will go and not return; but I shall be happy if the Lord will complete the sacrifice where He has begun it." St Isaac Jogues.

Friends

I have very few friends left outside of the Catholic community to which I belong. Most of them have either avoided me or have gotten angry, saying that I changed and that I have become weird or "too holy" for their tastes. Some have even said a lot of hurtful things about me and the choices I've made. The few that remained had kept a safe distance, usually extending that distance when I start inviting them to attend renewal seminars or even our monthly community mass. In that regard, I can say that I have "lost" that part of my life.

I also know that it won't stop here. As I grow deeper in the knowledge of Christ, I know that He will reveal to me various areas of my life that I still have to lose in order to fully follow Him.

The amazing thing is that what I have gained is far greater than all these things that I have lost. I have found Christ and now, He is all that is important! My life now is happier, more peaceful and certainly better than the life I lost for. His sake. Begin to lose your life to Jesus today and experience what it means to truly be alive!

"But the soul renounced shall abide in the boundlessness of God's life. This is liberty, this is prosperity. The more we lose, the more we gain." Watchman Nee.

Hardship Makes Success

A story of a man willing to take risk of his life just to achieve the goal of his life. A success to be in this cruel world.

It all started six years ago when I was seven years old. It was the time when my parents separated. The other side of me tells me that it is a good thing so my mom won't suffer anymore if she is not happy with dad. But my other side bitterly cries for I never wished to have a broken family. After their separation, my dad is still abroad while me and my brother lived with our mom.

A year later, my mom decided for us to live with our grandparents while she stays in the city. All of us thought this would be a brilliant idea so everyone was so excited moving in my grandparents' house. But then, after several months of our stay there, the wind has changed. I and my brother became battered grandchildren. Our grandfather hit us all the time without our knowledge why he's always doing that. Everyday, I and my brother had marks on our skins and bruises. In the first few months whenever my mom would visit, we never told her about what's truly happening because whenever our mom will visit, our grandfather will so kind as if he'll never hit us even once. This hitting and beating continued for over a year. Until the time that I and my brother can't help it anymore but to tell you mom all of it. Our mom and grandfather immediately had a fight. After the fight, our mom packed all of our things and left the house. She brought us in her apartment in the city.

Everything went better after a year. We went to school located on the city and lived with our mom. But then, there is this another obstacle that is testing my faith. Our mom had different partners which made me hard to adjust. Of course I still want our father to be the matured male in our house. But when that thing happened, it made me cry every night and I felt like I am already a burden to my family. But thank God after a year, I was able to adjust.

A year later, my mom and my grandfather forgave each other. Our grandfather promised that he'll never do such a thing again on us. Again, we all thought that he'd really not do it again. But then again after several months, he started hitting and beating us, leaving us again with marks and bruises. For the second time, my mom and grandfather had a fight. Our grandparents left the house and stayed in the house of their friend. Again, everything went back into place.

Another year later, a new obstacle invaded my faith and just. Whenever our mom gets into a fight with her partner, she'd put her madness on us. She'd shout at us and beat us and say, "You are useless! I wish you are not my daughter!" This made me cry every night because I can't get it out of my head. Now I know that I really am a burden.

This scenario is still happening until now. But all I can do is increase my faith and just wait what happens next . . . I hope it touched your hearts even for a bit.

Source: http://www.saching.com/

Fireproof

What is fireproof? In Wikipedia, Fireproof means resistant to damage from fire.

But in relation to life, Fireproof is a love story of a firefighter man to his wife... to protect their marriage when its going to fire.

It is a Amerian Christiam drama film, and I like this movie ever since the first time I watch the video.




Caleb's Apology

Believe

Nineteen years ago, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and started attending Bible studies in a charismatic community. My heart's desire was that my three children would all believe in the Lord. However, it seemed impossible since at that time my 19-year-old daughter stopped going to Mass and said that she did not believe in God. She even lived in with someone and wrote me a strong letter against my belief in the sacredness of marriage. My response was to continue to pray for her, believe in the Lord and claim everyday. His promise in Acts 16:31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Last December, I saw her going to Mass and she even said that she prays to God for blessings. She now believes in the Sacrament of Marriage and has already set her wedding day next year.

Are you praying for a member of your family to come to the Lord? Nothing is impossible with Him since Jesus Himself said, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24). Let us then continue in prayers and faith, expecting members of our household to one day come to the Lord. ----- Lulu


Prayer: "Thank You, Lord, for the gift of faith, I continue to believe and pray that all members of my family may be saved. Amen"


Wise Word: "Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into hearts of those who pray." St. Louis de Montfort

Never Give Up

One by one, the members of my family attended the renewal seminar in our community and were soon converted to Christianity, except one ---- my father.

He was not happy about our conversion for  he raised us as Buddhists. We tried our best to witness to our father, but he was firm in his belief. I shared this burden with my spiritual elder and she told me to continuously pray for him and claim the promise in 1 Timothy 2:3-4, that God wills everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

When my father was hospitalized because of cancer,  my uncle invited a Chinese pastor to minister to him, yet he still refused. One early morning, as I was praying the rosary, he looked at me, and I approached him. The Lord inspired me to lead him to a repentance prayer and ask him to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord. A few hours later, he passed away. I sincerely believe that He is with the Lord now, and for that I thank God.

Today, let us sincerely pray for our loved ones, co-workers, friend and even enemies who haven't encountered the Lord yet. Let us do so until they experience the love and saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A Moment of Silent

"In You, Oh God there is a silence of World".


I remember of my friend in college name James. He is so energetic, talented and active in any school extra curricula activities.

But one day, I notice him so silent and even he never smile. Then he told me, his girlfriend broke him up. He felt that time so depress and so hurt. So, I approach him and brought him in our prayer meeting.

In our every daily life, a lot of trials and heartache but only our God, our Almighty Lord God, heals and in His silence, we can have peace.

Trust in Him in all circumstances. 

The True Wisdom

I attended a community gathering regarding spiritual life. I was there 30mins before the gathering started. Well, as usual times, a lot people out there and simply they enjoy waiting, while others are praying and in quite time, in their heart, they are communicating to Him.

Before the gathering started, I pray silently and communicate God in a quietness and ask for Wisdom, acknowledge my  faults and ask His forgiveness. As its started, I'm so excited to go in the front of the gathering singing the songs of praise. Oh its a miraculousness and unending time of praise! I sang to the pick of my voice, Praising and Thanksgiving to God! It was an excited time of praise!

As the Teacher of the Word, preach and pronounce the topic, I was conscious regarding the true Wisdom; then as He goes on, later I understand it.

The true Wisdom, says "Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom." Psalm 51:6

Our God is the true Wisdom, as we seek for Wisdom, ask and pray for it to our Lord God! Surely He will  given it to you.

Prayer: "Oh Might Lord, My God! Grant me the true wisdom as I fight for this worldly things in my life, in Jesus name. Amen."

Facing the Giants

Facing our problems in life is like that we are facing the big Giants. Giants that we are afraid too. Too face this  Giants. As the bible says in Luke 12:5, "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."

Inspired by faith, this movie "Facing the Giant" can change your life in facing all your trials, fears and problems day to day. Here is the trailer:



Watch it now!

Living Water: Imitators of God

"Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression?" Micah 7:18

First she broke the zipper on my new jacket. Then she broke the faucet in the bathroom. While cleaning the car, she left the passenger door at the back ajar. This door flew open as I was driving ------ twice! At another time, the meat she cooked was half burnt. Scripture says to "Bear with one another..... just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive" (Colossians 3:13). I must say that this was a challenging command as far as our household help was concerned.

Sometimes, it's the little things that upset us. The possibility of an untoward incident due to an open car door is not a little thing, you might say. Still we are to be "imitators of God" (Ephesians 5:1). are we not? The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness (Psalm 145:8). The Bible says to imitate that! If God is merciful, we must major in mercy. I f God is compassionate, then compassion must mark our behavior, too. If God forgives and forgets, we must do likewise.

Our household help has been with us for 15 months now. In the matter of discipline, she is improving. So am I. --------- Joey

Prayer: Lord, help me to bear fruit in mercy, compassion and kindness that people may see You in me. Amen.

Wise Words: "I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." Henry Drummond

Living Water: Different

“All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.” Genesis 12:3 (NAB)

       “Why do you seem to have a different God?” asked one of the attendees in the first of our Bible study sessions here in California. I was just recounting what Jesus was doing in my life and in the lives of the other members of our Catholic community.

       In our community, we are exhorted to know, love and serve Jesus. We have also been taught to claim God’s promises in the Bible whenever we are in need. As we do so, we experience answers to our prayers.

       Some of these promises are: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides” (Matthew 6:33, NAB). “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;  it shall not return to empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

       From that first meeting,  the person who asked the question now religiously attends the Bible study experiencing Jesus’ love and answers to his prayers.

       Come to Jesus and discover what kind of God He really is. ------------ Ad

Prayer: Lord, enable me to draw ever closer to You, to love You more and to grow in the knowledge of You. Amen.

Wise Words: "No man can attain to the knowledge of God but by humility. The way to mount high is to descend." Blessed Giles of Assisi

Apple of Love

On a cold day in 1942, inside a Nazi concentration camp, a lone, young boy looks beyond the barbed wire and sees a young girl pass by. She too, is moved by his presence. In an effort to give expression to her feelings, she throws a red apple over the fence -- a sign of life, hope, and love. The young boy bends over, picks up the apple. A ray of light has pierced his darkness.

The following day, thinking he is crazy for even entertaining the notion of seeing this young girl again, he looks out beyond the fence, hoping. On the other side of the barbed wire, the young girl yearns to see again this tragic figure who moved her so. She comes prepared with apple in hand.

Despite another day of wintry blizzards and chilling air, two hearts are warmed once again as the apple passes over the barbed wire. The scene is repeated for several days. The two young spirits on opposite sides of the fence look forward to seeing each other, if only for a moment and if only to exchange a few words. The interaction is always accompanied by an exchange of inexplicably heartening feelings.

At the last of these momentary meetings, the young boy greets his sweet friend with a frown and says, "Tomorrow, don't bring me an apple, I will not be here. They are sending me to another camp." The young boy walks away, too heartbroken to look back.

From that day forward, the calming image of the sweet girl would appear to him in moments of anguish. Her eyes, her words, her thoughtfulness, her red apple, all were a recurring vision that would break his night time sweats. His family died in the war. The life he had known had all but vanished, but this one memory remained alive and gave him hope.

In 1957 in the United States, two adults, both immigrants, are set up on a blind date. "And where were you during the war?" inquires the woman.

"I was in a concentration camp in Germany," the man replies.

"I remember I used to throw apples over the fence to a boy who was in a concentration camp," she recalls.

With a feeling of shock, the man said, "And did that boy say to you one day, 'Don't bring an apple anymore because I am being sent to another camp?'"

"Why, yes," she responds, "but how could you possibly know that?"

"He looks into her eyes and says, "I was that young boy."

There is a brief silence, and then he continues, "I was separated from you then, and I don't ever want to be without you again. Will you marry me?"

They embrace one another as she says, "Yes."

On Valentine's Day 1996, on national telecast of the Oprah Winfrey show, this same man affirmed his enduring love to his wife of forty years.

"You fed me in the concentration camp," he said, "You fed me throughout all these years; now, I remain hungry if only for your love."

The darkest moments of one's life may carry the seeds of the brightest tomorrow.

Living Water: It's True

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty. Isaiah 55:11


Success in all undertakings.
       That was the core message of the Scripture passage that I got from the Bible as I prayed for our company, Springs Foundation, on the first day of the year 2009.
       It was taken from 2 Maccabees 10:23 (Catholic Living Bible) and it reads, "Having success in arms and in all things he understook....." Of course, it got me excited! I shared it will all the employees of the company, and it got them excited, too. At the beginning of the year, God had an inspiring and encouraging Word for us. And I took it to heart. Everyday I would read the verse and claim God's promise for our company.
       True enough, we experienced victory in everything we undertook that year. Our conferences were well-attended and Spirit-filled. Our products did well in the outlets and bookstores. And the ministry of music and the Word spread far and wide through our CDs and books.
       Such is the promise of God. It will not return to Him empty (Isaiah 55:11). It will accomplish that for which it was sent. So if you receive a promise of God through the Scriptures, claim it. Believe it. Then you will discover that it will come true for you. --------- Didi


Prayer: Father God, in the name of Jesus I claim all Your promises for my life. Amen


Wise Words: "One way to get comfort is to plead the promise of God in prayer, show Him His handwriting; God is tender of His Word." Thomas Manton

Story of Joseph in the Bible

Genesis 37: 1-38


This is the story about a young man named Joseph.  His father's name is Jacob, and they lived in Canaan from where his grandfather was from.
Joseph was seventeen (old enough to drive a car these days), and he had eleven brothers; and only had one brother younger than him.  Can you imagine having eleven brothers to play with, or fight with?
Because Joseph was one of the youngest sons, his father spent more time with him, and he became very special to him.  So Jacob had a special robe made for Joseph.  (They didn't have jackets back then, so this was a very special jacket).  It was very beautiful and had every color you could imagine in it.
All of Joseph's older brothers saw this and they got very jealous.  The word jealous means that Joseph's brothers disliked him because they thought his father liked him more, and because he got the special coat.  They got so jealous they couldn't even say a kind word to him.
One day Joseph had a dream, and he went to go tell his brothers.  He said, "Guess what?  Last night I had a strange dream.  We were tying up bunches of grain out in the field when suddenly my bunch stood up, while all of yours gathered around and bowed to me."  The brothers looked at each other in disgust, but Joseph continued.  "Then I had another dream that the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to me."
"Who do you think you are?"  The brothers said.  "Do you think that you are better than all of us?  Do you think that we would ever bow down to you?"  This made the brothers dislike Joseph even more.
When he told his father about his dreams he said, "Those are strange dreams."  But he thought carefully about  what Joseph had told him.
A few days later Joseph's father asked him to check on his brothers.  They were in the fields quite a distance away.  So Joseph went to find them.
When the brothers saw Joseph in the distance, they made a plan to kill him.  But when Reuben, Joseph's oldest brother heard this he said, "Let's not kill him, just throw him in a well out here in the field."  He said this because he was secretly planning to come back and rescue Joseph when the other brothers had left.
So when Joseph came to them, they took off his beautiful robe and they threw him in an empty well.  A little while later a group of people came by that were wanting to sell some things in Egypt.  One of the brothers spoke up, "Why don't we sell him to these people, this way we never have to see him again, and we don't have to kill him."
The other brothers liked this idea, so they sold him to the people who were going to Egypt.
Unfortunately Reuben had been working and hadn't seen what happened.  When he returned to the well he noticed that Joseph was gone.  He had been sold to an important man named Potiphar, an assistant to the Pharaoh of Egypt.
The rest of the brothers took Joseph's beautiful robe and dipped it in animal blood and took it back to their father.  When the father saw this he cried, "Some animal has killed my son."  And he cried for many days, so much that nobody could comfort him.
Now Joseph had started out as a slave, but the Lord was with Joseph and He helped him do everything right.  So Potiphar made him his helper, and put him in charge of everything that he owned.
The problem came when Potiphar's wife lied about Joseph to her husband, so Potiphar had Joseph put into jail.
The Lord was still with Joseph in jail, and the warden put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners.  He never worried because the Lord was with Joseph and helped him do everything right.
After Joseph had been in jail for some time a cupbearer and baker to Pharaoh had been sent there.  One night each of them had a dream.  They told their dreams to Joseph and he told the cupbearer that he would soon be let out of jail.  "Please tell Pharaoh about me, and ask him to get me out of here."  Joseph said.
When the cupbearer was freed he forgot about what Joseph did.  So Joseph stayed in jail for two more years.  Until one day the Pharaoh had a dream, and nobody could explain it to him.  The cupbearer then remembered what Joseph had done for him, and Joseph was brought to Pharaoh.
"Can you understand dreams?"  Pharaoh asked.  "I can't, but God helps me."  Joseph replied.  After Pharaoh had told him his dream Joseph explained, "God is warning you.  There will be seven years when nothing will grow and there won't be any food for anyone."
"What can I do?"  Pharaoh asked.  "God has shown you what to do.  There will be seven years before the bad years that will be very good.  So good that there will be extra food for everyone.  So you should save a little bit  of each years harvest, that way you will have enough to get you through the bad years."  Joseph said.
Pharaoh believed all that Joseph told him, and put him in charge of all the land of Egypt.
People came from all countries to buy grain from Joseph, because the whole world was in need of food.  Some of those people were Joseph's brothers.  When his brothers came, Joseph recognized them, but they did not know who he was.  (It had been over 10 years since they had seen him).
The brothers all bowed to him because he was an important person.  Just as he dreamed they would at the beginning.
After a few meetings with his brothers he could not keep it in any longer and Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph!  Is my father alive?"  But his brothers couldn't answer him because they were afraid.  Then Joseph said, "Come here.  I am your brother, the one you sold!  Do not worry, and do not be angry at yourselves for selling me, because God has put me here to save people from starving."
So his father, his brothers, and their families came to live in Egypt with Joseph, and they had all the food they needed.

Faith like Potatoes

As I watch the movie "Faith Like Potatoes", it make me realize about my faith. It inspires me to live by faith. The movie is from the true story of a man, who have a little faith. And later on turn to be a minister of God's Kingdom.

I encourage you to watch this movie, and let God transform you for being a better one. For overview, here is the  trailer of this movie:



Other Trailer:



Truly God is a miracle God.