tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10826823709363675672024-03-04T23:21:24.355-08:00Light it UpLet your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-17540617627014360742018-06-01T14:51:00.001-07:002018-06-01T14:51:24.308-07:00Making an Online Journal Through Blogging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1190" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4z1GH0jO9n8mgq-W1ss_I8FeMUWwHZyNm91efYQ_MsjD6kbYqd4MsE7RFYwRqzM66sSIDyGX7z9D7E3OsWjQpSVFPYFt5Mfe1duL4kDiaiwB1iC4FsJOV0-33-zpw6Ir32yQGi_Tfthb/s400/newonline.jpg" width="293" /></div>
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I finally made my third and final blog! My husband gave me a new website where I can start writing about my faith, my life as a wife and now as a mother in my own website. <a href="http://thissunnylife.com/" target="_blank">This Sunny Life</a> is my new online journal.</div>
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I am happy that I am finally back to writing my thoughts, reflections and experiences. If you've been following this blog, I hope you will also do the same for my new blog. I've grown so much since the last time I opened this blog.</div>
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This Sunny Life is only 5 weeks old but I've already shared my <a href="http://thissunnylife.com/index.php/2018/04/18/my-battle-with-post-partum-depression/" target="_blank">Post Partum Depression</a>, the <a href="http://thissunnylife.com/index.php/2018/04/25/11/" target="_blank">things that I learned from my relationship with my husband</a>, my faith and a lot more.</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Journal writing is a wonderful pathway to self-awareness.</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">- Rand Olson</span><br />
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I've already shared my desires of becoming a nurse here in this blog and I've been really open about my struggles and challenges in achieving my dream. This blog was created because I needed to write the things that I know the Holy Spirit has been telling me. Most of what I wrote are written for me.<br />
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Now to help me with another transition, from being a working nurse to being a stay at home mom, I decided to write again so I could be more present and enjoy this new stage of my life.<br />
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Please visit my blog, I would really appreciate it if you will.<br />
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penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-16587687940047534612016-11-28T12:05:00.005-08:002016-11-30T09:06:39.584-08:00New Chapter, New Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVigS2B306Iw_cIWfI5bLea0hLSPRV072T1jYbZ5stVNG_0PZBp0rq0AtNUosZVl7-uUk5rGtX9zrQ5ClFC8WfEAiOUcL7vztScXWQfpC404lZkHnP-RSSAS_c1feG5rftDFbfitMNObb/s1600/i-LsQHJtM-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVigS2B306Iw_cIWfI5bLea0hLSPRV072T1jYbZ5stVNG_0PZBp0rq0AtNUosZVl7-uUk5rGtX9zrQ5ClFC8WfEAiOUcL7vztScXWQfpC404lZkHnP-RSSAS_c1feG5rftDFbfitMNObb/s400/i-LsQHJtM-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm not saying goodbye to this blog but I would like to share a new blog that I have been working on.</div>
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<a href="http://www.kusinanimisis.com/">Kusina ni Misis</a> is a blog that my husband and I thought of making. Kusina/Cocina is kitchen in english. </div>
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We just recently moved in a new apartment and my personal space has been the kitchen. I've been cooking everyday for my husband and I thought why not make a blog about it.</div>
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However, as I was making it, I've realized that kitchen is not only a place where I cook. It is actually my own cave, my own space where I can think and be by myself. I've also posted some posts about our wedding. It's been over 6 months since we got married. We've just gotten the time to actually look at the pictures, videos and to let the experience of having a real church wedding sink in.</div>
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Getting married in the church is my only dream in terms of a wedding. I didn't have any picture of what kind of wedding I wanted to have, as long as it is in the church, I'm good.</div>
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I hope you will also visit my other blog and I am also looking forward to start writing again about my personal journey as a Christian still on this blog.</div>
penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-8047120181684742612016-05-02T21:51:00.001-07:002016-05-02T21:53:20.367-07:00Light it Up- it's a wedding countdown!<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">When I started this blog 9 years ago, I originally wanted it to become a money making blog. I was alone, depressed and bored when I came to New York. Somebody introduced me to blog for money and so I thought why not try it. I was told to keep on writing about random things and monetize the posts. I started earning but eventually random writings became my personal reflection about God's plan for me. I stopped receiving paid posts and decided to make this blog as my online journal of my personal journey as a Christian.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Why Penlighted? Penlight symbolizes my love for healthcare and attending to sick people. Lighted pen symbolizes the ideas and reflections that came to light while I was writing.</span></div>
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My personal goal is to become a reflection of God's love. To let my light shine before others so they may glorify God through my simple good deeds and through serving other people.</div>
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Matthew 5:16 became my personal guide of how I wanted to live my life.</div>
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I was amazed and grateful to see that this verse can be our gospel reading for our wedding. I take this as a verse that we can reflect upon our life mission. Marriage is not just a commitment that you make with each other but also a life purpose. Marriage will bind two lights to make it brighter and radiate stronger to reach more darker souls.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Big Caslon";"><span style="color: red;">Matthew (5:13-16)</span></span>
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<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Big Caslon";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 16.8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype"; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: red;">Jesus
said to his disciples:</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype'; line-height: 16.8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: red;">“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it
be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and
trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain
cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel
basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”</span></span></div>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">I pray through the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint Jude, and Saint Therese...that we will have a successful wedding this Sunday.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">I pray for protection through the help of St. Michael the Archangel...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">I ask the intercession of St. Claire, that we may have an amazing warm weather this Sunday.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">05.08</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">05 for GOD'S GRACE.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">08 for A NEW BEGINNING and INFINITY.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">May 08, 2016 is also mother's day.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">I can't wait to offer my flowers to Mama Mary on our day.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype";"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">All glory and honor is Yours, Lord.</span></span></div>
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype"; line-height: 16.8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-44933570765696465242015-09-12T07:00:00.000-07:002015-09-12T07:09:46.894-07:00Shoelace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT_d_Fb5AqG8vjoI7dek_EbalYgmkknLpu8OKGa6-PBJLeCLwphncT2PZ-sUQJFPjO05GipXCMZihC78MmPENnXj2ifR_6nFfTiltAf45nZKSmgwRsAIYhVoDXqTGsPv32Fpi1PgF_Tjo/s1600/11986932_10207356380403653_3209707493945684477_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT_d_Fb5AqG8vjoI7dek_EbalYgmkknLpu8OKGa6-PBJLeCLwphncT2PZ-sUQJFPjO05GipXCMZihC78MmPENnXj2ifR_6nFfTiltAf45nZKSmgwRsAIYhVoDXqTGsPv32Fpi1PgF_Tjo/s320/11986932_10207356380403653_3209707493945684477_n.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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We're engaged!</div>
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I have always wondered why women cover their face or mouth with their hand during a proposal. I did it when I saw him on one bent knee when we were in Paris. I consciously fought my hand to go to my face but I had to because I was already bawling but I wanted to see him so instead of covering my eyes I just covered my mouth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH5dwackRj8Ic3_1Dchg0_ytXq7UMFLy-V2YJgfbd3TXfkLl66hpAuUIXuhyCUvz_huGuxKR0z32COZMjj1pKf__pnp-9a5MHvMUYiEtbbj7pWptvpko-PYN4zAgVOfpzs8BXYumcL2PP/s1600/19a7d9179512b9d94d6e137979cf2e8e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH5dwackRj8Ic3_1Dchg0_ytXq7UMFLy-V2YJgfbd3TXfkLl66hpAuUIXuhyCUvz_huGuxKR0z32COZMjj1pKf__pnp-9a5MHvMUYiEtbbj7pWptvpko-PYN4zAgVOfpzs8BXYumcL2PP/s200/19a7d9179512b9d94d6e137979cf2e8e.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Shoelace!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We saw this picture before we went to Paris and we joked about making sure that he will not tie his shoelace near the Eiffel Tower.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shoelace! Is this a joke? Are you serious? But you're sick and we almost canceled this tour? You planned for this? When did you decide? OMG you're serious!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Those were my thoughts in the exact same order.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ritchie booked a photography tour on August 19, 2015 for us to see the most common tourist sites of Paris to take pictures and have our pictures taken. It was the most reasonable thing to do because according to him, he knows how much I would love to have good pictures from Paris.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The night before the tour, he wasn't feeling really well so I suggested for us to cancel it. I wanted him to rest because I don't want him to be sick during the entire 3 weeks trip. He said that we can't cancel the tour anymore, so he just took a lot of medicines and drank a lot of tea.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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The photography tour lasted for 3 hours and I was already complaining because we were walking around Paris for that long under the heat of the sun. The photographer that he hired took a lot of pictures of us doing our own thing. It was like a dream come true! We have a paparazzi following us and taking our moments together. I have always wished that somebody will secretly take a snap of our sweetest moments together because I would really want to preserve them.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHliSaJRuFVypQ1mXCFj2n2xZ20KvJQfWd91f5eVlq-wrVl7NbJkHDKML6or40ZEpfDf2Q_FKK8M5jFSwt_UssOGLloH-UH5Bgycm-pD0C6Ck_N0Yp24aPCrb-8aX2VfY92aH3CGEnSJE/s1600/11896365_10206538352209607_5616553947248166984_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHliSaJRuFVypQ1mXCFj2n2xZ20KvJQfWd91f5eVlq-wrVl7NbJkHDKML6or40ZEpfDf2Q_FKK8M5jFSwt_UssOGLloH-UH5Bgycm-pD0C6Ck_N0Yp24aPCrb-8aX2VfY92aH3CGEnSJE/s320/11896365_10206538352209607_5616553947248166984_o.jpg" width="213" /></a>Like during those multiple times when he carried me because I was already tired of walking with my heels on. Those times when he would sing or dance to make me laugh. Those days when I get a headache or when my muscles are stiff so he will give me a massage. Those days when he will carry whatever I am carrying even if it is my shoulder bag. When he will give me kisses on my forehead just because... I am so thankful that we had a paparazzi that day! He insisted that we slow dance near the Louvre Museum while the 2 musicians were playing. I said no because it was embarassing but he dragged me. It's one of the sweetest moments in my life. =D<br />
<br />
I can't wait for us to have a church wedding. I can't wait to marry this amazing person that God gave me to share my life with.<br />
<br />
*Thank you bheng for giving me this experience. I love you!<br />
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-55216472200866865622015-07-20T10:19:00.001-07:002015-07-20T10:19:34.600-07:00Tallest of all the Marines<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<i>There's a story about a young Marine named Michael who wrote a letter home to his mother while he was in the hospital after having been wounded in Korea in 1950. A Navy Chaplain named Father Walter Muldy apparently was given the letter, checked the facts and concluded what was in the letter was true. A year later he read the letter in public for the first time, to a gathering of some 5,000 Marines at the Naval Base in San Diego. Here is the letter:</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
Dear Mom,</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
I wouldn't dare write this letter to anyone but you because no one else would believe it. Maybe even you will find it hard but I have got to tell somebody. First off, I am in a hospital. Now don't worry, ya hear me, don't worry. I was wounded but I'm okay you understand. Okay. The doctor says that I will be up and around in a month. But that's not what I want to tell you.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
Remember when I joined the Marines last year; remember when I left, how you told me to say a prayer to St. Michael every day. You really didn't have to tell me that. Ever since I can remember you always told me to pray to St. Michael the Archangel. You even named me after him. Well I always have.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
When I got to Korea, I prayed even harder. Remember the prayer that you taught me? "Michael, Michael of the morning, fresh chord of Heaven adorning," you know the rest of it. Well I said it everyday. Sometimes when I was marching or sometimes resting. But always before I went to sleep. I even got some of the other fellas to say it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
Well, one day I was with an advance detail way up over the front lines. We were scouting for the Commies. I was plodding along in the bitter cold, my breath was like cigar smoke.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
I thought I knew every guy in the patrol, when along side of me comes another Marine I never met before. He was bigger than any other Marine I'd ever seen. He must have been 6'4" and built in proportion. It gave me a feeling of security to have such a body near.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
Anyway, there we were trudging along. The rest of the patrol spread out. Just to start conversation I said, "Cold ain't it." And then I laughed. Here I was with a good chance of getting killed any minute and I am talking about the weather.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
My companion seemed to understand. I heard him laugh softly. I looked at him, "I have never seen you before, I thought I knew every man in the outfit."</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
"I just joined at the last minute", he replied. "The name is Michael."</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
"Is that so," I said surprised. "That is my name too."</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
"I know," he said and then went on, "Michael, Michael of the morning ..."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
I was too amazed to say anything for a minute. How did he know my name, and a prayer that you had taught me? Then I smiled to myself, every guy in the outfit knew about me. Hadn't I taught the prayer to anybody who would listen. Why now and then, they even referred to me as St. Michael. Neither of us spoke for a time and then he broke the silence.</div>
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"We are going to have some trouble up ahead."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
He must have been in fine physical shape or he was breathing so lightly I couldn't see his breath. Mine poured out in great clouds. There was no smile on his face now. Trouble ahead, I thought to myself, well with the Commies all around us, that is no great revelation. Snow began to fall in great thick globs. In a brief moment the whole countryside was blotted out. And I was marching in a white fog of sticky particles. My companion disappeared.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
"Michael," I shouted in sudden alarm.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
I felt his hand on my arm, his voice was rich and strong, "This will stop shortly."</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
His prophecy proved to be correct. In a few minutes the snow stopped as abruptly as it had begun. The sun was a hard shining disc. I looked back for the rest of the patrol, there was no one in sight. We lost them in that heavy fall of snow. I looked ahead as we came over a little rise.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
Mom, my heart stopped. There were seven of them. Seven Commies in their padded pants and jackets and their funny hats. Only there wasn't anything funny about them now. Seven rifles were aimed at us.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
"Down Michael," I screamed and hit the frozen earth.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
I heard those rifles fire almost as one. I heard the bullets. There was Michael still standing. Mom, those guys couldn't have missed, not at that range. I expected to see him literally blown to bits. But there he stood, making no effort to fire himself. He was paralyzed with fear. It happens sometimes, Mom, even to the bravest. He was like a bird fascinated by a snake. At least, that was what I thought then. I jumped up to pull him down and that was when I got mine I felt a sudden flame in my chest. I often wondered what it felt like to be hit, now I know..</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
I remember feeling strong arms around me, arms that laid me ever so gently on a pillow of snow. I opened my eyes, for one last look. I was dying. Maybe I was even dead, I remember thinking well, this is not so bad. Maybe I was looking into the sun. Maybe I was in shock. But it seemed I saw Michael standing erect again only this time his face was shining with a terrible splendor. As I say, maybe it was the sun in my eyes, but he seemed to change as I watched him. He grew bigger, his arms stretched out wide, maybe it was the snow falling again, but there was a brightness around him like the wings of an angel. In his hands was a sword. A sword that flashed with a million lights. Well, that is the last thing I remember until the rest of the fellas came up and found me. I do not know how much time had passed. Now and then I had but a moment's rest from the pain and fever. I remember telling them of the enemy just ahead.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
"Where is Michael," I asked.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
I saw them look at one another. "Where's who?" asked one.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLVZgQ_WwdTKXm82wjytdv-K4y_kmN96Kgyl97O9rgLKc-ZUYOIPPljxbyAUTa_5GSlTgsdeU6HNAB9grsmRmYMaNezX5tKJgm0UjJb97gbs5mGas6F5VYnImWj872RmfUbxJ3RtFYVuP/s1600/St.Michael1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLVZgQ_WwdTKXm82wjytdv-K4y_kmN96Kgyl97O9rgLKc-ZUYOIPPljxbyAUTa_5GSlTgsdeU6HNAB9grsmRmYMaNezX5tKJgm0UjJb97gbs5mGas6F5VYnImWj872RmfUbxJ3RtFYVuP/s320/St.Michael1.jpg" width="232" /></a>"Michael, Michael the big Marine I was walking with just before the snow squall hit us."</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
"Kid," said the sergeant, "You weren't walking with anyone. I had my eyes on you the whole time. You were getting too far out. I was just going to call you in when you disappeared in the snow."</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
He looked at me, curiously. "How did you do it kid?"</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
"How'd I do what?" I asked half angry despite my wound. "This marine named Michael and I were just ..."</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
"Son," said the sergeant kindly, " I picked out this outfit myself and there just ain't another Michael in it. You are the only Mike in it."</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
He paused for a minute, "Just how did you do it kid? We heard shots. There hasn't been a shot fired from your rifle. And there isn't a bit of lead in them seven bodies over the hill there."</div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
I didn't say anything, what could I say. I could only look open-mouthed with amazement.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
It was then the sergeant spoke again, "Kid," he said gently, <span style="color: red;"><b>"every one of those seven Commies was killed by a sword stroke."</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
That is all I can tell you Mom. As I say, it may have been the sun in my eyes, it may have been the cold or the pain. But that is what happened.</div>
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Love, Michael</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f3fcfe; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.533332824707px;"><b>I was looking for a prayer that I could send to my brother while he's doing the marine boot camp and found the story above.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f3fcfe; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.533332824707px;"><b>Please help us pray for my brother, Recruit Phillip P.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f3fcfe; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.533332824707px;"><b>Let us also not forget to pray for those people who are defending us, protecting us and helping us have peace.</b></span></span></div>
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penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-25006101351624019412015-07-14T19:32:00.001-07:002015-07-14T19:41:36.608-07:00Surprising Things That Happened To Me After Going To Adoration More Often<div style="text-align: justify;">
I just recently became a full time employee last July 6 and this means that I have to go to work an hour earlier than before, 8:15 am to be exact. This also means that because I have always been paranoid about being late for work, I always make it sure that I am already in Manhattan 30 to 45 minutes ahead of my scheduled time.</div>
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Last year, I used to visit Trader Joes and then Rite Aid to spend 30 minutes of my spare time before I bother our receptionist for 15 minutes and then I clock in for work.</div>
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Since the change, I am now attending the 7:30 am mass at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle followed by a short adoration before I speed walk 10 blocks going to work.</div>
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I am such a good Christian. High five for me! Kidding.</div>
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The reason why I am writing this blog entry right now is because of this article that I saw on my facebook wall... <a href="http://en.catholic-link.com/2015/07/10/10-surprising-things-that-happen-when-you-go-to-adoration-more-often/">10 Surprising Things That Happen When You Go To Adoration More Often</a></div>
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There are still days that I honestly dislike the idea of walking 10 blocks just to go to mass. Days like this morning when I prayed to God to push me to go to church from the subway station because I want to but I really don't want to be there.</div>
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<a href="http://en.catholic-link.com/2015/07/10/10-surprising-things-that-happen-when-you-go-to-adoration-more-often/">10 Surprising Things That Happen When You Go To Adoration More Often</a></div>
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<span style="color: red;">1. You develop a sense of awe and wonder</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">2. You experience peace in other areas of your life</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">7* You realize how fortunate you are</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbtkTaTAGimnTz9BzZU2VeaERi8EmFqvQk8hdJrToyV-BvBTHqli4ZHgU9cv9hlhgkLiD58cf32n0WLzTMzmmjs6vVJB7tT88toSpFE5e_5vW96hsy0O5DWpdH6jgdbQcYLjVs0hqkKjG/s1600/11390290_10206529363928758_3724643956142890127_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbtkTaTAGimnTz9BzZU2VeaERi8EmFqvQk8hdJrToyV-BvBTHqli4ZHgU9cv9hlhgkLiD58cf32n0WLzTMzmmjs6vVJB7tT88toSpFE5e_5vW96hsy0O5DWpdH6jgdbQcYLjVs0hqkKjG/s200/11390290_10206529363928758_3724643956142890127_n.jpg" width="200" /></a> Every time I leave the church and walk the 10 blocks, I noticed that I am praying more with thank yous and adoration. I always thank the Lord for everything in my life but since going to the mass in the morning, I realized that I honestly mean it more now. I am thanking God because I am feeling an overflowing feeling of peace, happiness, contentment and gratefulness for everything that is going on in my life. It's not a thank you because I know I should thank Him. I am really in awe, amazed and thankful for all the things He did for me.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">3. You begin to look outwardly</span></div>
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Praying for others became easier. I didn't feel the need to pray more for myself and think that I am just wasting my time praying for other people. Harsh but true. If you are still building a relationship with God and your faith is weak, all you wanted to do is make sure that you are praying clearly for your petitions. It might not be true for others but for me it is. I know my relationship with Him is getting weaker when I just couldn't stop reminding Him about what I desire for myself. <i><span style="color: lime;"><a href="http://en.catholic-link.com/2015/07/10/10-surprising-things-that-happen-when-you-go-to-adoration-more-often/">More time praising and adoring God means you can look beyond your own concerns and see the needs of others in your life and in the world that we live in. </a></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: red;">5. You become excited to go to adoration</span></div>
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I am honestly excited to meet Him tomorrow! I still have those thoughts from the enemy telling me that I shouldn't go but I know that I can always pray for my angels to guide me and push me to the church door.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">6. Grace enters your life</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">10* You fall in love</span></div>
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The more I spend time with Him, the more I get to know Him. Spending time with Him allows me to open up myself to experience His love. I am allowing Jesus to love me fully, as a sinner and as somebody who wants to have a relationship with Him. His unconditional love for me makes me fall in love with Him too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSElo4vJojVnUoxst21jgkEfi4iWW_-nRj2RhuGbf2CdsBJaCE4w7OI6fajY451_Yy09tAPAjZUfdH0T-UPwgcou_L7pyi5hAs8E0nAxiIHE9Yjkjboe1FeNd8l1sbSRuvvnixQuBYy87/s1600/10336648_10204051351179988_8930979225635151169_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSElo4vJojVnUoxst21jgkEfi4iWW_-nRj2RhuGbf2CdsBJaCE4w7OI6fajY451_Yy09tAPAjZUfdH0T-UPwgcou_L7pyi5hAs8E0nAxiIHE9Yjkjboe1FeNd8l1sbSRuvvnixQuBYy87/s200/10336648_10204051351179988_8930979225635151169_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: red;">4* You get bored sometimes</span></div>
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The priest mentioned in his homily this morning that we can never be always a Christian in our lifetime. Christian by definition means that we are followers of Christ's teachings. It is hard to be constantly asking "What would Jesus do?". But it's ok because God isn't finished with me yet..we make mistakes and we continue to persevere in this journey to be like Him.</div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Our faith is more than feelings and God will still be working in you. This is the beauty of the Incarnation – God made man, coming into all our stresses, fears, problems – and yes, boredom. Know that even if an hour spent in Adoration is a continual returning to Him every few minutes when your mind wanders, you are still giving God the best gift you can – your time and company. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">- Ruth Baker</span></i></div>
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I pray that may God continue to send His angels to help me and guide me, and for Him to always hold my hand so He can easily pull me closer to Him. Amen. </div>
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penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-62315203633144490232014-08-13T21:33:00.001-07:002014-08-13T21:33:14.444-07:00A Prayer<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thank You Lord for all the blessings that You have given me and my family. I am very grateful for all the things that You have let me experience and for the people the met because of my journey. Thank You for providing us financially and for giving us courage and strength to follow You and your plans. I am amazed by how You have planned my life. I admit that submitting myself to Your plans, to let go and to let You take control was and still the hardest part.</div>
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In my heart I know that You are the most loving merciful Father, I believe that You can make impossible things possible. Forgive me for entertaining the enemy's voice by having doubts and fears. I trust Your might name.</div>
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I pray for the Christians in Iraq... pour out Your Spirit God and save them. Show them Your mercy and love. I pray for the souls of the people who died because of their faith. I pray for more strength and comfort for the others who are still living in hell in their land.</div>
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I pray for the fight between the Israel and Palestinians...</div>
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May the wars in our land because of religion and beliefs end soon...</div>
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Protect us Lord from any forms of evil in the world... may it be the voice that tells us that we can't win our battles, the health problems that weakens our body, the temptations to do what satisfies our worldly desires, the hunger to be superior than others, our selfish desires to acquire everything that made us forget how to share our blessings and reach out to others and most especially the works of the evil that pulls us away from You.</div>
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Lead us back to You Lord Jesus... Lead us back to the cross..</div>
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I pray for family and friends... heal them Lord.. I rebuke cancer, dementia, Parkinson's.. </div>
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Please heal the hearts of the loved one of those who are sick, may You give them strength to face their trials... send forth Your angels to comfort them.</div>
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I pray for those who are looking for jobs, changing their careers, building their lives and those who are still figuring out their life purpose.</div>
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I pray that I will be able to serve You more in my new journey. I claim in Your mighty name Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mother Mary and St Joseph of Cupertino that I will pass this final test. Thank You for this new job. </div>
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I pray for the people you sent in my life who helped me surpass all my trials. I pray for the Cohen Family especially their kids.</div>
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I pray for my friends who are expecting... may You bless them with a healthy angel and people who will help them raise their kids to be a loving Christian.</div>
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I pray for peace, love and happiness. You know the desires of my heart. I let You take control of my life.</div>
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Amen.</div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">O St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination eg. History paper I ) examination.</span><br style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.</span><br style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me</span><br style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">O Holy Ghost enlighten me</span><br style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me</span><br style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: #fff8fc; color: #9f1753; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me.</span>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-46721246157783604062014-05-29T10:05:00.003-07:002014-08-13T21:34:19.945-07:00Grateful.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue;">For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"> plans to prosper you and not to harm you, </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">plans to give you hope and a future.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">-Jeremiah 29:11</span></div>
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penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-77137738197062616012014-04-23T18:57:00.001-07:002014-04-23T18:57:31.585-07:00St Joseph of Cupertino<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-115878330400962527" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 300px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5311/1228/1600/St.%20Joseph%20Cupertino.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5311/1228/320/St.%20Joseph%20Cupertino.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;" /></a>This powerful prayer is very effective in examinations. It has to be said before appearing in the examination. There are two variants to this prayer. Both the prayers are equally effective. You can choose any one of these:-<br /><br /><b>First Prayer</b><br /><br />O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favour in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.<br /><br />Through Christ our Lord.<br /><br />St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us.<br /><br />Amen.<br /><br /><b>Second Prayer</b><br /><br />O St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination eg. History paper I ) examination.<br /><br />In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.<br /><br />O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me<br />O Holy Ghost enlighten me<br />Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me<br />Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me.<br /><br /><i>Remember, when you succeed in the exams then you should thank St. Joseph of Cupertino.</i><br /><br />Image Source: <a href="http://www.ofmconv.org/English/documents/joscup/joscenter_en.htm" style="text-decoration: none;">Ordo Fratrum Minorum Conventualium</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lord, You had made it possible for me to study nursing, You had provided me with resources for me to be able to pay for my tuition,You had given me people who helped me survive everything... I know everything is because of Your great love for me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I humbly ask for Your guidance and wisdom for my final exam. I know I will not be able to do any of these things without You. Please help get me through. In Your cross, I will lay down all my worries and I claim for victory once again. Amen.</span></span></div>
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penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-20519705958578215442013-12-11T09:18:00.001-08:002013-12-11T09:18:47.171-08:00Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.9861px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Even if your sun will set</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.9861px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">or the world will undress you,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.9861px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">just be still.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.9861px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Know that to every thing there is a season,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.9861px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">and a time to every purpose under the heaven.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.9861px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Be still.</span></span></div>
penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-43278271570210012272013-09-10T19:02:00.000-07:002013-09-10T19:04:41.086-07:00World Suicide Prevention Day<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://msw.usc.edu/"> <img 0="" alt="Blogging For Suicide Prevention Badge" class="alignleft border=" src="http://msw.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/Blogging4SAPBadge.png" width="150" /></a></div>
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USC’s <a href="http://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/suicide-prevention-and-awareness-blog-day-kick-off/">MSW Programs</a> Blog Day.</div>
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Today is the World Suicide Prevention Day. I didn't plan to write anything in this blog today but I just feel like I have to because of some reasons. </div>
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I've been through a lot. I was bullied. I became a subject of gossips in three different schools that I went to. I have some spiritual battles. I have a part in my life that I can't remember, names of people and events that my subconscious made me forget. I have some stories that as much as I wanted to share it, I just can't.</div>
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I didn't have this kind of faith yet when some of those trials where poured on me but whenever I look back, I just can't thank Him enough for being there for me during those times.</div>
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I know I am talking in riddles but this is just my heart full of praises for Him. No, I never thought about taking my own life but I guess it's safe to say that I killed some parts of me so I can cope. I became aloof and I built a very tall wall and covered myself with so many masks to protect myself. I am still struggling in terms of socializing and talking to people but I thank God for His healing and for teaching me about the importance of consciously letting go and forgiving people. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z15CBKbCnSw_JbwmeQWXHvq7GSZytXFeExMakoWRt3RsK2nw2JBIg6U6OpiRFhBGWA5rVPHGzuWeQngfrKJxXgur4GcV5uy5q-DlZY07zwWmqdaDuwQxxww2Q7KgcoNChcdMlhHTlsb2/s1600/MAGOO+BARBELL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z15CBKbCnSw_JbwmeQWXHvq7GSZytXFeExMakoWRt3RsK2nw2JBIg6U6OpiRFhBGWA5rVPHGzuWeQngfrKJxXgur4GcV5uy5q-DlZY07zwWmqdaDuwQxxww2Q7KgcoNChcdMlhHTlsb2/s200/MAGOO+BARBELL.jpg" width="200" /></a>I repeat, consciously letting go and forgiving people. It's a very hard decision to make because I know sometimes a part of us wishes bad things to happen to those people who caused us pain. Sometimes, revenge comes to the extent of hurting our own selves so we could make them guilty about hurting us. Sometimes, we let ourselves sink in depression and we let ourselves linger to those hurtful events because somehow it will become our excuse for letting ourselves fail.</div>
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Let go. Nobody is judging you but yourself. You should never compete with anybody. Breathe. Let go and pray. Forgiving somebody and yourself is a decision that you have to make. It will never magically happen. Pray for strength so that you will be able to carry your loads, lift it up and offer it to Him. Surround yourself with people who can help you carry it and lift it up to Him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wANg8-VrNB5G6nyM1QA-tj2VlVqEpIrf7n4s6wnl8JWiBRLedSMdnyiMduv9kW61BbBbXSzJLbWFbEqCo_wMP4MBd6i3T11Vam85FETUKVZvvRAkGyfuxQEVzp1JL5qcxxLp4EiXK1KS/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wANg8-VrNB5G6nyM1QA-tj2VlVqEpIrf7n4s6wnl8JWiBRLedSMdnyiMduv9kW61BbBbXSzJLbWFbEqCo_wMP4MBd6i3T11Vam85FETUKVZvvRAkGyfuxQEVzp1JL5qcxxLp4EiXK1KS/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"> </span>I know it's not easy but it is possible to move on.</div>
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Don't let trials knock you down. Ask for help and reach out. </div>
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<span style="color: red;">Isaiah 41:10 <br />
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your
God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: lime;">This is for you, you know who you are.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: lime;">I am praying that you will be able to read this.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: lime;">You are not alone. I am here. I love you!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: lime;"> You are Loved!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: black;">LOVED</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Words and Music by Dave and JJ Heller</span><br />
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Do you dream of a home you never had <br />
An innocence that you cannot get back <br />
The pain is real<br />
You can’t erase it<br />
Sooner or later you have to face it down <br />
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You are loved<br />
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Do you keep your thoughts inside your head <br />
Will you regret the things you never said You have a voice<br />
You have to use it<br />
You have a choice<br />
Don’t let them shut you down<br />
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You are loved<br />
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Do you feel the ache inside your soul<br />
You know you’ll never make it on your own <br />
Sorrow is too great for you to hold it <br />
You’re gonna break<br />
Why don’t you lay it down <br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: lime;"> </span> </span></div>
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penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-73254075441651725652013-07-28T20:35:00.001-07:002013-07-28T20:38:15.601-07:00Prayers.<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVfD9Gl4RexRX7Om7n9Hj9Il01AW7RtbwBvvVrb-fFoHgxMcKinaYHk9y0vKmiEQ5Zs1-SsetFFJFSESkT9r56vMz0xeCT-7maz_eIx7MW2CDRn_wDijz4227Q00sEKXRN91hnKTCgX6W/s1600/praying-the-rosary-724621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVfD9Gl4RexRX7Om7n9Hj9Il01AW7RtbwBvvVrb-fFoHgxMcKinaYHk9y0vKmiEQ5Zs1-SsetFFJFSESkT9r56vMz0xeCT-7maz_eIx7MW2CDRn_wDijz4227Q00sEKXRN91hnKTCgX6W/s200/praying-the-rosary-724621.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I remember reading a friend's rant on facebook long time ago about hearing her neighbors pray a repetitive prayer and how much it annoys her. I was so tempted to comment and explain because I was insulted about how she described it in her post. I already typed my comment but deleted it and decided to let go. I know she's talking about The Rosary because it was October. She has her own beliefs and I have mine; what's the point of arguing, it's not like my comment is going to make her reflect.</div>
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I am a Catholic. I pray the "generic prayers", as what other Christians would describe Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be and etc. I also believe in the power of saying the rosary. I still don't know how to defend my beliefs but I have always been sure about my faith. I believe that faith is something that we can't explain. Everything boils down to love. God loves us first and because of His great love for us we learn how to love and share love. Our faith should equal to love and it should let us see the goodness in what other people do.</div>
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Today's gospel is from Luke 11: 1-13 where it tells us about the time when Jesus taught his disciples the Our Father prayer but not only that, the gospel also mentioned some points that I want us to reflect on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">8</span></td><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">I tell you, if the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">man</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> does not get up and give it to him for friendship's sake, <b>persistence </b></span><b>will</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b> make him get up and give his friend all he wants</b>.</span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">9</span></td><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">And I tell you, <b>Ask, and it will be given; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.</b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">10</span></td><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">11</span></td><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">12</span></td><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: right;" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">13</span></td><td style="text-align: left;" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"</b></span></td></tr>
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The gospel is teaching us about the power of prayer. PUSH! Pray until something happens; but we should also be reminded about the last verse on Luke 11:13. God is telling us that he already knows what to give us. He knows what is good for us. Praying will never change God's plan for us. We pray to keep our connection to Him. Prayer is not meant to change His decisions but it is meant to change our hearts, to prepare ourselves for His great plan, for us to eventually learn how to trust Him and to let go of our worries, fears and selfishness. We pray until something happens to our hearts and not to the plans that we made for ourselves. For God is a loving and a merciful God, He sees us and the bigger picture of our life. He only wants the best for us.</div>
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But God, just like any other parent also knows how to give us the tough love. He will never control us. If we are too stubborn, He will also gives us the chance to do things our way. Just like what my mom would always say, "God will also let us do things the way we wanted it to be but our way doesn't mean that we will be happy. We might end up being miserable and of course, because He is a loving God, He will still rescue us. He will still save us but that's only after we face the consequences of our disobedience." <b>We should pray and then make a decision; We shouldn't decide and then pray.</b></div>
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The rosary might be a repetitive prayer but it is still a prayer. It sends people in a state of meditation and reconnects them to God. Saying the rosary reminds us about God's love for us through the sacrifices of Jesus. The rosary is a prayer given by Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus who witnessed His great love for us. Each prayer of the bead in the rosary overflows the love of God for us and the love that He poured unto Mother Mary.<br />
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We pray for the Holy Spirit to pour into our hearts the kind of grace Mary has, the kind of love she has for Jesus. We also pray for a great love that will lead us to a strong commitment to ourselves and to others.<br />
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Let's pray that we may stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life.<br />
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<br />penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-51108694220026483522013-07-24T07:32:00.001-07:002013-07-24T07:46:14.954-07:00Patience.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7hZtAPyYDP9jSItUXmXe5FbH8BdXEuWavWMlQ17xBuLECmS6Ys5qUaNi9SokLeSdfStlT6yTL16CvrXew62U_iJNAt6j6R0Ov7Hi8WbDIaj6uJjuu862tHlYg7LZMa0YwEXBaUhY0Umu/s1600/dog-on-leash.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7hZtAPyYDP9jSItUXmXe5FbH8BdXEuWavWMlQ17xBuLECmS6Ys5qUaNi9SokLeSdfStlT6yTL16CvrXew62U_iJNAt6j6R0Ov7Hi8WbDIaj6uJjuu862tHlYg7LZMa0YwEXBaUhY0Umu/s200/dog-on-leash.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Lately my subway ride at night is becoming so painful to take. My usual 45mins to an hour travel became 2 hours because of all the construction that they're doing. It's annoying because I can't tell what time is the the best time to go home and often times they don't announce what's going on and how long should we wait. I don't have phone service in the train. I don't have games in my phone. Sometimes, I don't have anything to read or eat.</div>
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Last Friday night was the worst, I have to be in the train for 2 1/2 hours. I tried a different route because I thought I was smart. Somebody finally announced something but we can't understand him/her. I started to be mindful of my feelings. I reminded myself to be patient. I took a deep breath and looked around. Somebody was punching the door, a lot were already exchanging their opinions, somebody peed in the train, somebody inhaled her asthma spray, somebody was there sitting as if we don't have to wait for a long time reading a book and myself observing everybody.</div>
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I was screaming "i'm better than all of you, sucker! I'm so patient! bwahahaha! Watch me because I'm so cool." Then I sat there being so calm and released my frustrations with a sigh, checked the time and <i>bam! </i>that was only 2 minutes. I kept reminding myself that the train will not move even if I get mad. I just have to be still. <i>"Be still!",</i> I screamed. Fixed myself and asked, <i>"Are you still now?"</i>.</div>
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Fail!</div>
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If you know me and if you've been following my journey. God has been teaching me how to be patient and to learn how to be still. I am very impatient. I pray the <i>"Lord please make me patient now!"</i> prayer all the time. Lately, I thought I was already being patient but the truth is I am just being indifferent. I try to suppress all my desires so I can pretend that I am patient.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px;"><b>"Patience is not indifference; patience conveys the idea</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px;"><b>of an immensely strong rock withstanding all onslaughts."</b></span></div>
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My very special friend describes me as patient. I know I am patient if waiting means that I am in control of things and waiting is a choice that I willingly make. The kind of patience that God is teaching me is the one that requires me to be still in a place; to move in a pace that He wants me to; to see the light at the end of the tunnel but I couldn't change my speed for me to get there faster; to let go of my fears in facing uncertainty; and to just breathe and enjoy where I am.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;">God seldom does great things in a hurry.</span></div>
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So my prayer is this...</div>
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Lord, have your way. Tame me. Give me the strength that I need to calm down my thoughts and fears. Hold me so tight. I feel like a dog with a leash barking on something, trying to be free and pulling You because I want to go to that something that caught my eye. Please don't let go of me. I know I'm stubborn but I still want to go to where You are going. Amen. =)</div>
penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-9427638518359101722012-08-09T06:07:00.003-07:002012-08-09T06:10:42.187-07:00Made to PraiseHi! I just want to share my favorite song from my favorite album, the Praise Baby Collection: Born to Worship.<br />
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Peace, love and blessings! =)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Made to Praise</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">From the earth to the sky,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I'm the apple of your eye</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">You created my form,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">and knew me long before I was born</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I was made to praise You</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I was made to love</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I was born to worship</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">the Father, the Son and Spirit of God.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Made in Your image and wrapped in Your love</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">From the sky to the earth</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Lord, we celebrate Your birth</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">That You came as a man,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">revealing to us Your wonderful plan</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">We were made to praise You</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">We were made for love</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">We were born to embrace You</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">The only God and Father above.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Made in Your image and wrapped in Your love.</span><br />
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<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="215" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TbnuHBaXSZw" width="460"></iframe><br /></div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-40074405762199383512012-08-02T07:48:00.001-07:002012-08-02T07:58:01.314-07:00Love and Faith<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I remember a conversation I had with a 93 yr-old resident from where I used to work about a bike that was left abandoned outside their building. "Look at that bike, it was left in perfect condition months ago by its owner. I wonder what happened to him, I hope he's fine. But look at that bike, some people started to steal its parts, maybe, after they noticed that it was abandoned. Now, all that is left is its tarnished skeleton. Some of the residents here were left in perfect condition by their children but now they're just like a tarnished skeleton."</div>
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<br /></div>
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I don't know why but I just thought of that conversation that I had with him 2 years ago out of nowhere while I was walking in Manhattan. Then another conversation I had with some friends followed up...</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Have you seen an abandoned building or a house? After leaving a place for years, some branches of some trees will go through the its walls, slowly tearing it down until it will collapse.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I reflected on that thought. Maybe God is telling me that no matter how "strong" I describe my faith, no matter how good I think my relationship is with Him if I will abandon it thinking that I can just leave it there and put our relationship on a pause, it will eventually weaken like a wall, deteriorate like a body, atrophy like muscle that's not been used or tarnish like the abandoned bike.<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMPhJqgTZx5E95TCuXRq-hxDNiHc4nqILcm7kUnQsNSdU1iEXP122m6wTQsnLJqjQnP7J3KX8EQEQQZb8eyVdPXDy5qTFbpvr5VYXXCHjQ8zdi0Me_xVNRmIZ6sZass3_jBglBl2OMPs-/s1600/blogpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMPhJqgTZx5E95TCuXRq-hxDNiHc4nqILcm7kUnQsNSdU1iEXP122m6wTQsnLJqjQnP7J3KX8EQEQQZb8eyVdPXDy5qTFbpvr5VYXXCHjQ8zdi0Me_xVNRmIZ6sZass3_jBglBl2OMPs-/s320/blogpic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="color: red; text-align: center;">
Love is a verb.</div>
<div style="color: red; text-align: center;">
"Our love must not be a thing of words and fine talk.</div>
<div style="color: red; text-align: center;">
It must be a thing of action and sincerity."
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1 John 3:18</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="text Jas-2-17" id="en-ESV-30294">Faith is work. I'm not talking about the endless faith vs. works argument but what I mean is that we have to work on our faith in order for us to overcome all the elements that might taint it. </span><span class="text Jas-2-17" id="en-ESV-30294">Maybe that's what it means by<span style="color: red;"> "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">James 2:17</span>.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="text Jas-2-17" id="en-ESV-30294">Faith will eventually die without works.</span><br />
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<span class="text Jas-2-17" id="en-ESV-30294">Let's all continue to pray for strength to persevere to win the race of faith. Let's not stop running. </span><br />
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<span class="text Jas-2-17" id="en-ESV-30294"> </span></div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-40558413570114521852011-12-30T22:57:00.000-08:002011-12-30T23:14:51.822-08:00Deaf and Blind<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kU7d5Iw3Tx73K0AcN9SIoldtb7vsBGTu4J-0Nhem_B1Um6zfc0RsDIT_E-LHl-vZLhutz_ugAeFsY9_1kER24GOkDyPCVThVHdUrga44qq05c_NC2JmQBGVz_B4QBf3xT2fSeHHYziEf/s1600/Desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kU7d5Iw3Tx73K0AcN9SIoldtb7vsBGTu4J-0Nhem_B1Um6zfc0RsDIT_E-LHl-vZLhutz_ugAeFsY9_1kER24GOkDyPCVThVHdUrga44qq05c_NC2JmQBGVz_B4QBf3xT2fSeHHYziEf/s320/Desert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Today, I knowingly took a wrong train going home just because my feet wanted to get in on that certain car. There was only one seat left and I grabbed it without thinking of other people because I was tired.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sitting across me was a pair acting like they're couples, I immediately noticed them because the girl is also a filipina. I smiled and closed my eyes; I was planning to take a nap and get off at whatever station. Then I heard the girl said... "I like you very much but I don't want to leave Jeff because he is consistent...I like so many guys, I flirt and show them that I like them but that's just it." They were exchanging ideas about how relationships and love should be. I heard the girl mentioned about financial stability, consistency, flirting, moving on and the like. Her words entered my ears, pierced right through my brain, leaving a sensation in my heart.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I started praying "Lord, her business is not mine. Please allow me to find silence in the middle of their conversation. I don't want to hear them." while I kept my eyes tightly closed.<br />
<br />
I was blind and deaf for a few minutes.<br />
<br />
I thought: <br />
<br />
If I am deaf, I will never have the chance to hear sweet words of affirmations from my loved ones, or compliments about how I look or if I did a good job.<br />
<br />
If I am blind, I will never have the chance to see His beautiful creations. I won't be able to see the beauty of a place or a person. I won't be able to see the gestures of love that my family and friends will do for me.<br />
<br />
If I am deaf and blind at the same time...(?) I had to snap back because I got scared for a few seconds. Then I reflected about the genuine feeling of love and peace that I felt while two of my senses were paralyzed.<br />
<br />
The actual knowing, believing and trusting His love and my family and friends' love for me felt so good. At that very moment, I didn't have any thoughts of doubts and fears. I just felt loved because I know I am loved. I felt loved because I believe that He loves me, my boyfriend loves me, my family and friends love me without any thoughts of what if, why and but.<br />
<br />
What we see, what we hear or what we feel (sense of touch) can really change our perception about things and sometimes about our selves. Maybe, if we practice having silence and stillness every time we fear or doubt, the Holy Spirit can tap in into our heart and give us the most honest answer that we should have and, of course, believe.<br />
<br />
But it's really hard to let go and let the Holy Spirit control us. Our eyes can tell or trick our brain that a certain road is muddy or rough. Our ears can trick our brain if the water is deep or shallow. You know what I mean? It's really hard. Determination is the key. Persevere! (talking to my self)<br />
<br />
About the girl...I will make it a resolution to not make other's business my business...<br />
<br />
My special someone said that there are 3 kinds of business...our business, other's business and God's business.. We should only care about our own. We should not tell other people about what they should do. We should not tell God about what He should do...it's something like that..lol<br />
<br />
=) <br />
<br />
Did you know that I turned a year older last December 29? My love asked me about my reflection for my birthday, asked me why I stopped writing...('_') i don't have any reflection nor do i want to make a fuss that it's my birthday. I also don't know why I stopped writing.<br />
<br />
I don't have any plan to post or write but that train ride was really something. I hope you understood my reflection because I know my ideas are here and there. I am tired and sleepy. Good night!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmHReZKw06O_oo1X1AAJa_1BhG5_ZoFnPQHs1RfpppGKcu0ut0ZJt-e6Twi65OEdjDNETFg3mhAzte93yusEoNEYG-MllRwpyxB6l-H_KIWrf8Xc0AB2Eh2idb1XyhlnAc2CLqQ3_5fmX/s1600/finalpic11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmHReZKw06O_oo1X1AAJa_1BhG5_ZoFnPQHs1RfpppGKcu0ut0ZJt-e6Twi65OEdjDNETFg3mhAzte93yusEoNEYG-MllRwpyxB6l-H_KIWrf8Xc0AB2Eh2idb1XyhlnAc2CLqQ3_5fmX/s320/finalpic11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is us. We celebrated our 2nd year anniversary last 11.11.11.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I don't want to post anything about him in this blog because this blog is for my First Love</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">but I want to thank God for giving him an amazing amount of wisdom and patience.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">=)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-40899924683931573432011-09-12T19:53:00.000-07:002011-09-12T21:09:17.183-07:00Miss Universe 2011Congratulations to Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup for winning 3rd runner up in Miss Universe 2011!<br />
<br />
Final Q&A for Miss Shamcey<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="color: purple;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmTjsp9YB59SchXZXE4a5xlEdiA0EiMkzoJPnAL1Bk0rixPIO8bbc2tnBOME1_q0WPvEuBRByzWy2N7zH3y4nW1EmZVsnVd8rkkouoeZDg3yWSKoGwE8zAN656iKQP0XzskwoxehH78pE/s1600/313759_10150276892466747_152138396746_8005576_567099563_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmTjsp9YB59SchXZXE4a5xlEdiA0EiMkzoJPnAL1Bk0rixPIO8bbc2tnBOME1_q0WPvEuBRByzWy2N7zH3y4nW1EmZVsnVd8rkkouoeZDg3yWSKoGwE8zAN656iKQP0XzskwoxehH78pE/s200/313759_10150276892466747_152138396746_8005576_567099563_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>Q.Will you change your religious belief to marry the one you love?</div><div style="color: purple;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple;">A. "If I'm going to change my religious belief, I will not marry the person that I love because the first person I love is God who created me and I have my faith and principles and this what makes me who I am. And if that person loves me? He should love my God first."</div><br />
I love Miss Shamcey's answer! I wanted to make a post related to her question but I remember that I already posted my views about marriage earlier, so I guess I should better stop here. To read <a href="http://lightedpen.blogspot.com/2011/09/marriage-encounter.html">MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER, click here</a>. =) Thank you.<br />
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Congratulations also to Miss Angola (Leila Lopes) for winning Miss Universe 2011, Miss Ukraine (Olesya Stefanko) 1st runner up, Miss Brazil (Priscila Machado) 2nd runner up and Miss China (Luo Zilin) 4th runner up</div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-89482840018119406552011-09-12T13:41:00.000-07:002011-09-12T21:49:18.351-07:00Marriage Encounter<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNsnEd6B235EHPEz8XSpgCqJaHs1jWoDE9CfFJd6fdmm4W4-b7y-ousrViOU5PJqYwticKLcTt4Eby1Mxfpq2mTrrb_pWAwfu17n_V54S691WltOdRuNbfOaxYK19Ggc0P3Sv8VTpAReO/s1600/Wedding+at+Cana+of+Galilee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNsnEd6B235EHPEz8XSpgCqJaHs1jWoDE9CfFJd6fdmm4W4-b7y-ousrViOU5PJqYwticKLcTt4Eby1Mxfpq2mTrrb_pWAwfu17n_V54S691WltOdRuNbfOaxYK19Ggc0P3Sv8VTpAReO/s320/Wedding+at+Cana+of+Galilee.jpg" width="240" /></a>Last weekend, my parents attended the marriage encounter retreat and I was able to witness some of their activities during the Sunday mass.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It has always been my mom's prayer to have the chance to serve and worship Him together with my dad. We used to be a part of a small charismatic group back home in the Philippines and I remember how my mom dragged everybody to join every prayer meeting. She was able to bring me every time maybe because she started dragging me while I was still 3 years old but somehow she can't do the same with daddy. My dad used to stay in the bedroom whenever the prayer meeting was held in our house.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My dad's a good man, don't get me wrong. I know he prays but only in private. I think he's just not comfortable to be seen praying and singing for Him. His work in the Philippines became a hindrance for us to attend mass every Sunday as a family. Well, it's not just the Sunday mass but it's any activity that requires us all to be in one place with him; he used to have threats, i remember him saying that he can only protect one person if ever he gets ambushed. I know he prays a lot, especially for strength, wisdom and protection while he was still in service but his work hindered us to cultivate our relationship with Him as a family, which I think is also important. I remember a saying from a prayer time program in the philippines--<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>"The family that prays together, stays together."</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I believe that it's nice to be a part of a community as a single, but it's better if the whole family is a part of it; that's why I'm thankful that finally my parents were able to have time to join the ME retreat. My mom is also grateful that daddy finally decided to join.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love watching my parents renew their vows last Sunday. I know how much they love each other; I'm not just their daughter but I am also their number one fan. I know and I witnessed their sacrifices and patience for each other. I am inspired by their love story and love for each other. Now that my dad already opened up and decided to level up the kind of prayer life that he has which is praying with the community, I can now completely say that I want a marriage like them. My dad's love for my mom is amazing; I want to feel blessed with the man that I will soon marry just like my mom. My mom's patience and strength is inspiring. I pray that I could be just like her for my own family someday; her faith is amazing and she never ceases to pray for us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7s1u78oA5fsNZACGxJYSQDrqb1BHD-2sYo2vWpKmW6vfBeaubE-nTo4sXS09g5HW7PJZ1y8_2knZAQOGwn6q4h0eI3gXyGJcdUytv3MIG4qKm2ggrhgkpJESgxYQ-_2YiXgonE9-48V7/s1600/55574_1689384030358_1110446683_31988956_3397645_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7s1u78oA5fsNZACGxJYSQDrqb1BHD-2sYo2vWpKmW6vfBeaubE-nTo4sXS09g5HW7PJZ1y8_2knZAQOGwn6q4h0eI3gXyGJcdUytv3MIG4qKm2ggrhgkpJESgxYQ-_2YiXgonE9-48V7/s320/55574_1689384030358_1110446683_31988956_3397645_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">A Marriage Blessing</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">We thank you, O God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">for the Love You</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">have implanted in our hearts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">May it always inspire us to be</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">kind in our words, considerate</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">of feelings, and concerned</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">for each other's needs and wishes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Help us to be understanding</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">and forgiving</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">of human weakness and failings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Increase our faith and trust</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">in You and may Your prudence</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">guide our life and love.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Bless our marriage, o God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">with peace and happiness,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">and make our love fruitful for</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Your glory and </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">our joy both here and in eternity.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Amen.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*The picture is from <a href="http://74.53.25.146/~copticon/product_info.php?products_id=74?osCsid=5d0dd1aecfaa7df27cacf83395ddcba9">here.</a></span></div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-75965641310579627132011-08-30T20:37:00.000-07:002013-07-23T16:09:46.280-07:00The Refiner's Touch<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6L94s-qEZNFWYBLa4EOA2lYR5wJhQ3yRkwsQLmzYX-Uwx8tfVBoE6-fkTkCT1SRoVCR-aywBXnMggxZEkP9a60Jily0oOjn6PvVhy5BcR8PIY4YCb8nJMknO59ykIVmLVS_RllZxwQgNG/s1600/Jesus-silver-cross-pendant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6L94s-qEZNFWYBLa4EOA2lYR5wJhQ3yRkwsQLmzYX-Uwx8tfVBoE6-fkTkCT1SRoVCR-aywBXnMggxZEkP9a60Jily0oOjn6PvVhy5BcR8PIY4YCb8nJMknO59ykIVmLVS_RllZxwQgNG/s200/Jesus-silver-cross-pendant.jpg" width="200" /></a>There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three they came across verse three which says, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.</div>
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One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week the woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that, in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot - then she thought again about the verse, that He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. For if the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.</div>
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The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's the easy part -- when I see my image reflected in it."</div>
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***</div>
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Right now, I am feeling the heat of the fire. The story about the Refiner's Touch made me smile and gave me strength to endure my current trial. Isn't it funny that I posted last Sunday about how much I wanted to be a reflection of Him? And now, here I am...I feel like shit and just a while ago, I really felt like giving up.</div>
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It's amazing how you stumble upon things that will give you answers and affirmations...I know He sees me. I know He loves me.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have no complaints Lord because after all, I really want to be like You. It's just that I am really hurting and I really need more angels here on earth. Please send them, STAT. =D</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
remember that God has His eye on you and will keep His hand on you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and watch over you until He sees His image in you.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*the picture is from <a href="http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/312509949-Jesus-silver-cross-pendant-wholesalers.html">here*</a></span></div>
penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-76573396227423535722011-08-28T23:26:00.000-07:002011-08-28T23:26:21.295-07:00I am a reflection of His love.<div style="text-align: justify;">I know I am not even close to His reflection but I want to keep on saying that, like a mantra, to remind me of how I want to live my life. I really don't remember when did I started to keep those words in my heart but I am determined to persevere, to live a life that reflects His love. I know I am not doing a good job imitating Him because honestly it is really hard to imitate His compassion, patience, forgiveness, love and faith.<br />
<br />
so I pray..<br />
Lord, it has always been my desire to be like You, to show love and to serve Your people in any way that You want me to; guide me, use me and hold me tight whenever I am shaken with trials. Forgive me if at times I can't control myself, my disappointments, my frustrations and anger. Forgive me if I dislike some people; touch my heart and take the negative feelings away. Teach me to love and see people the way You see them.<br />
<br />
Lord, I love You so much; may my actions, my thoughts and the words that I speak reflect my love for You.</div><br />
<div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Is the face that I see in the mirror</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">the one I want others to see</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Do I show in the way that I walk in my life</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">The love that You've given to me</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">My heart's desire is to be like You</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">In all that I do, all I am</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Do they see Jesus In Me</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Do they recognize Your face</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Do I communicate Your love, and Your grace</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Do I reflect who You are</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">In the way I choose to be</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Do they see Jesus In Me</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">It's amazing that you'd ever use me</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">But use me the way You will</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Help me to hold out a heart of</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">compassionate grace</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">A heart that You're spirit fills</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">May I show forgiveness and mercy</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">The same way You've shown it to me</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Now I want to show all the world who You are</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">The reason I live and breathe</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">So You'll be the One that they see</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">When they see me</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Amen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PwiF3HE4cQ8" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Do They See Jesus in Me<br />
by Joy Williams</div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-8485846882007559642011-08-05T11:59:00.000-07:002011-08-05T12:03:29.227-07:00A Walk to Remember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_jUpKr3ckTFjlTaOqI9Wx5TrsYx7JKK5_z7XH-sMAcUr_MhpH_l9KkGhDvMNPKlKBoza0Ep4MCRf4vuZXS0Iu7pWrXTED1JngcYDQmnn-227i7hX-5OdDrDslW0AZZa3R2RYki7olGgz/s1600/a+walk+to+remembr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_jUpKr3ckTFjlTaOqI9Wx5TrsYx7JKK5_z7XH-sMAcUr_MhpH_l9KkGhDvMNPKlKBoza0Ep4MCRf4vuZXS0Iu7pWrXTED1JngcYDQmnn-227i7hX-5OdDrDslW0AZZa3R2RYki7olGgz/s320/a+walk+to+remembr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
No matter how many times I watch "A Walk to Remember", I always end up crying. It's the sweetest movie I've ever seen. It's the kind of love that I've been dreaming to experience; It's the kind of love that I want.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I remember watching it the first time and cried because the girl died and left the guy; I thought that was tragic. However, as my beliefs mature and the more I see and experience life and especially relationships, the more I get to reflect about the great love that the movie is projecting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: justify;">"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's hard to find an unconditional love, a love that is so great that is always willing to put the happiness of others first. I wonder if God had planned for me to experience that kind of love or if He had planned to make me the giver. I know love should be a give and take thing; but the thought of being a part of an extraordinary love story excites me...or maybe I'm just saying that because I'm still high from the movie. lol</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyhow, here are a few quotes that I've been keeping in mind and I hope that someday I can use these quotes to describe the kind of life I've lived.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="color: #bf9000; text-align: center;">"I don't think that we're meant to understand it all the time.</div><div style="color: #bf9000; text-align: center;">I think that sometimes we just have to have faith." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent </div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">people and the affection of children; </div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">to earn the appreciation of honest critics and</div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">endure the betrayal of false friends; </div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; </div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">to leave the world a little better place than we found it,</div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">whether by a healthy child, </div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; </div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">to know even one life breathed easier because you lived. </div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">This is to have succeeded."</div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">"As I go through my day, I will be mindful</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">of how my actions affect others. </span></div><div style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;">The ripple effect of kindness moves swiftly. </div><div style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;">I will be like the stone thrown in the water that starts the movement."</div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: blue; text-align: center;">i am a reflection of HIS love ❤</div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-63207588380149474372011-07-22T19:08:00.000-07:002011-07-22T19:08:47.290-07:00How He Loves Us<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLHjFJ8VNYKSXlXcYybiROOZ4ivryJr-s2M0sG9F6dHAIHuC2VdzD9hhcMeKLme2plkiQvz0uN-7cBvVhi5H9Oef_eHcC9GLCtYVAQjuiRXoElFdsxDJqkGuTyxnW3eDpQ8PKWjvTgnV_/s1600/love-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLHjFJ8VNYKSXlXcYybiROOZ4ivryJr-s2M0sG9F6dHAIHuC2VdzD9hhcMeKLme2plkiQvz0uN-7cBvVhi5H9Oef_eHcC9GLCtYVAQjuiRXoElFdsxDJqkGuTyxnW3eDpQ8PKWjvTgnV_/s200/love-11.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Every time I chat with my friends, we always talk about our trials and how God saved, rescued and helped us deal with the things that we're going through. We talk about our plans, dreams, relationships, struggles, realizations and just everything about Him. It's really funny how each of us comfort each other with "let's just pray for it", "i'm praying for you", "all things are possible", "He can do anything" and "God knows best" statements; funny because I just realized that that's just how we end every conversation. I shared my story and received those reminders just recently; and a while ago, was my turn to say those words to comfort a friend.<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">When life gets difficult and we get frazzled,</span></span></div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">staying close to our Christian friends will help us to get through.</span></span></div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am thankful that He blessed and surrounded me with people who doesn't only believes in Him but also strongly believes that He is the only way. I think it's important for us to be reminded that nobody and nothing can solve our problems or heal our pain without His will for that thing to happen. It's important to keep in mind that our clever plans worked because He made it worked.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today, I am reminded about His great love. If I can trust an ordinary person to love me, to not hurt me, to think of only good things for me and to be there for me when I need them, why can't I do that for the One who created me, died for me and sees everything that's going on in my present and will happen in my future?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/X-rW528qiYw" width="425"></iframe></div><br />
<div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">He is jealous for me</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">When all of a sudden, I am unaware</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">of these afflictions eclipsed by glory</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">and I realize just how beautiful You are</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">and how great your affections are for me.</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">So we are His portion and He is our prize,</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">If grace is an ocean we're all sinking</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">and my heart turns violently inside of my chest</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">I don't have time to maintain these</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">regrets when I think about the way </div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">He loves us</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;">Oh, how He loves us so</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Oh, how He loves us </span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">How He loves us so. </span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-37931602136037710212011-07-20T08:48:00.000-07:002011-07-20T10:29:10.984-07:00Why I Blog<div style="text-align: justify;">Before I finally decided to make this space a Christian blog, I used to write random stuffs just to keep this thing alive so I can continuously get offers for a paid post. I wrote and got paid to make reviews for products, services and events. However, I noticed that my posts are becoming more about my experiences and opinions as a believer and so I decided that I should stop blogging for money.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This blog has helped me get through a lot of stages in my faith; writing about my journey helped me evaluate my growth as a Christian. Whenever I feel like giving up, losing hope and struggling with my grasp, I look back and read some of my posts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><i>"Bring back the fire in my heart, Lord.</i><br />
<i>Remind me how to let go and trust You."</i></div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><i>"We had so much fun that day, Lord. You lifted me up with the angels. You made me forget about the materialistic world and showed me the greater joy that can only be achieved through Your grace."</i><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Those are some of the prayers that I say whenever I visit my previous entries of which some I find strange and unfamiliar, some makes me feel envious of the writer's faith and some makes me laugh about how little her faith is. Maybe this is because I write to give myself a lecture, to remind myself, to do self-talk and to talk to Him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I can't make an entry whenever I plan to write. I am not a good writer and I know that most of the words in this blog are not mine. Those words just came out at that moment; I nod and reflect while I write because I am also learning from my own posts. If an entry sounds like a prayer, that's just me praying. If a post sounds like as if I am talking to somebody who already knows what's going on, that's just me talking to Him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">An example of an unplanned entry is this particular post that you are reading. I am being reminded to look back on those days when I cried out for mercy and He rescued me, days of which I have things that worries me but I still danced and worshipped Him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHP_shR2hX_Mf87obiNPYtveJPTA2k5bFsr-4sES67QcgnEmRHb9W9x-Tf0ThFCaqjLktJIGGMkoEz-OFfeUvPOk4Fgcxd7_VP4M6w9EkclfBI4585CFZcynjmw7Typy9oWtjIj_G87vsh/s1600/8323_1229945184674_1110446683_30754146_8066239_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHP_shR2hX_Mf87obiNPYtveJPTA2k5bFsr-4sES67QcgnEmRHb9W9x-Tf0ThFCaqjLktJIGGMkoEz-OFfeUvPOk4Fgcxd7_VP4M6w9EkclfBI4585CFZcynjmw7Typy9oWtjIj_G87vsh/s320/8323_1229945184674_1110446683_30754146_8066239_n.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Why do I blog? I guess it's because this is one of His ways of talking to me, one of His ways of reaching out to His daughter who loves to write and be online. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-27193700691508071352011-07-18T14:31:00.000-07:002011-07-18T14:31:57.792-07:00Seeing The Person Inside<div style="text-align: center;">At times when words fail me,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I pray for You to bless their hearts</div><div style="text-align: center;">with ears and eyes like Yours,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so they can hear and see what I meant</div><div style="text-align: center;">with compassion. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">At times when I start to build a wall,</div><div style="text-align: center;">curl up in my shell and thicken my mask,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I pray for You to enlighten my heart;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bless mine with ears and eyes like Yours,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so I wouldn't misinterpret their words.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Cleanse my heart, for I know that it is on parade whenever I speak.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cleanse my heart and may the words I speak reflect understanding,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> patience, compassion and Your grace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">"The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">will guard your hearts and minds."</div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;">—<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Philippians 4:7"> Philippians 4:7</a></div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0F0pHZtTYke0-iBW6FMpaT5Z2RSXXPSC7-5VoT0BuvRHJ6YEORGWQHgN9zTnc1fwByvQORITlZ-Nl0OSDdz1jRNiVk-Gr1QjHOkVdzR_eOhcyNVriaLB4Jj7g4g6YVc7IoanNvTNjh9v/s1600/see-hear-speak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0F0pHZtTYke0-iBW6FMpaT5Z2RSXXPSC7-5VoT0BuvRHJ6YEORGWQHgN9zTnc1fwByvQORITlZ-Nl0OSDdz1jRNiVk-Gr1QjHOkVdzR_eOhcyNVriaLB4Jj7g4g6YVc7IoanNvTNjh9v/s1600/see-hear-speak.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Philippians 4:7"></a></div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1082682370936367567.post-16499993253081793622011-07-08T17:02:00.000-07:002011-07-08T17:22:17.644-07:00Intentions of the Heart<div style="text-align: justify;">As much as possible, I try to see the goodness in people. I remember my mom saying, "Before you criticize a person, find at least one thing that you can compliment about them." I try my best to understand a person's feelings, experiences, their personality and sometimes I picture my self to be in their shoes before I react negatively about whatever "bad thing", in my own opinion, that they said or did.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand, I was reminded by somebody not to overanalyze things because sometimes, people say and do things because of the most obvious crystal clear reasons that I sometimes rule out because it's just too obvious that it can't and shouldn't be the reason. Sometimes people just say and do things because they want to at that very moment. Maybe it's wrong to do that or maybe not.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maybe they were wrong and I was right. I don't know, what I know is that in 1 Corinthians 4:5 we are reminded not to condemn or accuse others. It says, <span style="color: purple;">“Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts”</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I believe the Lord said that in the end it's still our motives for doing things that matters, maybe you did the right thing but you had a bad intention or you did the "bad thing" with good reasons. He also said that we should pray and discern for things before we do something about it. Pray that He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and that He may expose the intentions of other people. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It takes a lot of courage to let go and a lot of self-control so we can be mindful of our words and actions. <span style="color: red;">Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life”.</span> Monitor your self on how you respond to difficult situations, hurtful words and actions so you can determine what takes root there. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes, the one pointing the accusing finger turns out to be the guilty one. Sometimes, we think we are the righteous one and we feel the need to correct others; but sometimes in the end it will turn out that we also need a lecture about how we do the correcting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS2btJ3Z2IVUAnEL8NkYNCs8dTRknEuCinlr433BNnraNzRO79WDOtJrNDEoL9CHceX_A2Et9OQ0LDHDkCRFoSxBGkgF5eLd2iL0FEUJe44f843JAStKyg24_KtqB6LRfom6AomY3n_FO/s1600/image-885b62a8c9e421b6ea1c782d3e29bcb2-inhumility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS2btJ3Z2IVUAnEL8NkYNCs8dTRknEuCinlr433BNnraNzRO79WDOtJrNDEoL9CHceX_A2Et9OQ0LDHDkCRFoSxBGkgF5eLd2iL0FEUJe44f843JAStKyg24_KtqB6LRfom6AomY3n_FO/s320/image-885b62a8c9e421b6ea1c782d3e29bcb2-inhumility.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">and so I pray that may the Lord bless me...<br />
with humility to understand and forgive others,<br />
to be quiet so I can listen;<br />
with wisdom to know what to say when I have to speak<br />
or when to say nothing and just let go;<br />
with courage to walk out from things that will </div><div style="text-align: center;">cause bitterness in my life<br />
and to remove the things that will act like </div><div style="text-align: center;">weeds and thorns in my heart</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>penlightedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792100530663057782noreply@blogger.com4