God Knows the Future

Sharing an entry which I read from the Daily Bread:

Lord, we know that true rest can be found only in You. Help us to end our striving and to trust that You will provide. In your loving arms, we find rest.
Amen

How many times do we miss seeing God's blessings simply because they were not packaged as we expected?

Inspirational Quotes

History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.
--B. C. Forbes

We must believe in ourselves or no one else will believe in us; we must match our aspirations with the competence, courage and determination to succeed.
--Rosalyn Sussman Yalow US medical physicist

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?
--Vincent Van Gogh

Not one of us knows what effect his life produces, and what he gives to others; that is hidden from us and must remain so, though we are often allowed to see some little fraction of it, so that we may not lose courage. The way in which power works is a mystery.
--Albert Schweitzer (01/14/1875-1965)

Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it.
--Mark Twain

Every great work, every big accomplishment, has been brought into manifestation through holding to the vision, and often just before the big achievement, comes apparent failure and discouragement.
--Florence Scovel Shinn

Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you.
--Mary Tyler Moore

I will not be discouraged by failure; I will not be elated by success.
--Joseph B. Lightfoot Author Nationalities, Politician Quotes

If I read or listened to critics of our music, I'd have been discouraged a long time ago.
--Graham Nash British, Musician Quotes

I have become down-hearted, I have become discouraged, I have become depressed. I'm just like you. I'm a human being and I have my problems.
--Dyan Cannon American, Actress Quotes

I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.
--Thomas A. Edison 1847-1931, American Inventor, Entrepreneur, Founder of GE

Don't be discouraged if your children reject your advice. Years later they will offer it to their own offspring.
--Source Unknown

Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.
--Source Unknown

Of Dreams and God's Dreams

I reconnected yesterday with my grade school classmate and friend and learned of the seemingly common experiences we are having. The simple conversation via chat on Facebook turned out to be a way for God to express His messages for the two of us.
I am happy to know how this blog inspires other people and I fervently hope I can reach out to more readers and make believers out of them. Let me share an affirmation which I am blessed to received.

ALL FOR THE WRONG REASONS

It was also through my conversation with Ate Aya (as we would fondly call her way back our elementary days) which led me to Bo Sanchez's God's Dream. I read the book and truly, it was an eye opener.  I came to realize that most of my dreams were dreamt out of trivial reasons: wanting to buy a house, wanting to buy myself a car even my dream of working abroad. I believe I came to realize that t wasn't God's dream for me yet to work abroad because I wanted it all for the wrong reasons.
As I wrote down my dreams and began assessing them, I came to realize that I wanted to work abroad just because I wanted to experience it, because I wanted more compensation, because I wanted to travel more, because I wanted to experience shipping balik bayan boxes home and because I wanted to prove myself to other people. What I failed to do was to connect that dream to what I do best. I believed in that dream. I acted to make it happen but my desire was not fuelled so strongly enough.

GOD MADE ME ANSWER MY QUESTIONS

The book made me answer all the questions I had been asking God. Why did He let this happen?
Simple, I was not as prepared as I thought I had been to work abroad. My intentions were good but it was not my soul dream. That dream lacked passion, deeper meaning and it lacked commitment from me. God saw that those motivations will not help me grow as a person; those motivations distracted me from what I love to do: TEACH. That dream of having to work abroad only made teaching as my means of fulfilling it...but clearly the drive of that dream first and foremost should have been BECAUSE I WANTED TO TEACH.

THE DREAMER NEEDS TO GROW UP

It was a bitter pill to swallow-I need to grow up. When I celebrated my 30th birthday, I said my life is yet to get even better (referring to our supposed plan to work abroad which was supposedly a week after my 30th birthday). We were not able to leave and work abroad but my life is even better.
I was time for me to grow up and learn to appreciate and nurture what I have before dreaming of things which I only want. I need to start connecting my dreams to what I do best and to God. When we dream of God's dream for us, everything else will fall into place.


WHAT WAS LEFT ON  MY LIST

Be a licensed teacher.  I should have know that God was calling me into this vocation. Over the years, I have tried to enroll in a CTP programs but I let other things get in the way so it was never fulfilled. After I wrote down my dreams, most of them seemed to have easily faded, but one thing was left- the dream of becoming a licensed teacher.

This is my SOUL DREAM. 

God has been dreaming this for me, but I was just too proud to dream along. God has been calling me, but I was looking at another direction.


I would like to quote a message from the book:

"I believe that when we fulfil our Divine destiny, all of creationconspires to bless us, assist us, equip us, and provide for us.
This has been my experience.
Focus on Soul Dreams — and the bigger the better. Stretch!
Expand! And believe that this is the reason why you were born.
And everything you need will come rolling down at your feet in
submission.
Opportunities. Friends. Connections. Wisdom. Money.
They will come."


I have enrolled myself to DLSU graduate school for a special course on Management of ESL/EFL Classes and this coming academic year 2012-2013, I will be taking my Professional Teaching Certificate from UP Open University.

I pray that the Lord will dream with me.

God Will Rescue Me

I received an email from my father-in-law today and he sent a link which the contents hit right on the spot. I had been blessed with great in-laws who have treated me much like I was their own. My husband and I had dated for 12 years prior to our marriage and ever since, I have always felt completely accepted and accommodated by my in-laws. 
When a problem came to us last August, I feared that my in-laws would blame me and I was ready to accept that, but what I received instead were words of inspiration, support and encouragement. Indeed my husband and I are truly blessed with the kind of parents and families we have.

Hi,

I would like you all to read this and live out.

love,

Papa

And here is the attachment:

The Magic Sauce Of All Success

I’m a semi-old man today.
I’m 45. (According to my wife, I’ll always be her young boyfriend forever, but that’s another topic.) 

The older I get, the more I believe that commitment is the magic sauce of all success. It’s the secret ingredient. There can be no success without commitment.

What is commitment?

       Let me throw away complicated and boring definitions. Let me give you my very simple, homespun, easy-to-understand definition: Commitment is doing the hard stuff.

All success comes from doing the hard stuff.

Why do we have cellphones? Once upon a time, there were no cellphones. We used clunky, heavy landlines. (For those my age: Do you remember we even had partylines? We used to say, “Excuse me partyline, it’s our turn to use the phone.”)

We have a cellphone today because there was one man by the name of Martin Cooper who committed himself to make it happen. He was an engineer in Motorola, and he sat down in front of thousands of tiny electronic spare parts and told himself, “I’ll make a cellphone. I won’t stop until it’s done.” And he made it. He did the hard stuff.

Sure, it was as huge as a brick. It was as heavy as a brick. And it was as expensive as a gold brick. (The first commercial cellphone was worth P150,000 each.)

The easy stuff you enjoy today—the phone, the car, the computer—exists today because someone did the hard stuff.

Another example?

We call our prayer meeting a Feast.

Three years ago, there was one Feast.

Today, there are 29 Feasts in 21 locations in Metro Manila and suburbs.  (Many more around the world.) We make it easy for people to find God. But that’s because our army of volunteers do the hard stuff—preparing, practicing, coming early, serving God’s people week after week after week…

Here’s my message: If you want to succeed, you’ve got to do the hard stuff.

I’m not discounting God’s power. In fact, I’m counting on it. Without God, we won’t succeed. But from experience, God’s power works through our commitment.

Daniel Did The Hard Stuff

In the Bible, Daniel was committed to his work. He did the hard stuff.  Because of this, the King wanted to promote him as governor of the entire kingdom.  (When you do the hard stuff, get ready for promotion. And if your boss won’t promote you, don’t worry. God will promote you, if not in your company, then in another company.)

But Daniel had enemies. Some of the King’s other advisors didn’t like him. They said, “What’s this foreigner doing here? Who does he think he is?” Their insecurity fueled their envy. And envy blinded them. They hated him so much, they wanted to kill him.

I want to warn you. When you do the hard stuff, get ready for promotion. But get ready for persecution as well.

Because when you do the hard stuff, you stand out.  You make waves. And you attract enemies. Why? Because you live in a world where everyone likes to do the easy stuff. When you do the hard stuff, you make everyone else look bad.

So Daniel’s enemies manipulated the King. They flattered him. They told him, “You’re so handsome, King. Your shirt fits you.  We like your hair. You smell nice. You know what?  You’re not a man, you’re a god. Oh King, decree a new law and prohibit anyone from praying to any god except you! And anyone caught should be executed.” It was a trick to kill Daniel. They knew that Daniel wouldn’t stop praying to his God.

       And that was exactly what happened.

       Daniel was committed to God. In fact, the reason why he was committed to his work was because he was committed to God.

God Honors Our Commitment

Praying was easy for Daniel.

But when that crazy law was made, praying became hard.

But Daniel kept doing the hard stuff.

That was commitment.

       And Daniel was thrown into a lion’s den.

       In a miniscule way, I can relate. When I went to Bangkok, I walked into a cage with a real live, gigantic Siberian Tiger. (Oh, the crazy things we do to get a photo to post on facebook!) Yes, there was a chain around his neck, held firmly by his trainer, and the big cat probably took a couple of sleeping pills. But it was still scary.

       But Daniel was thrown to a pit with hungry lions.  (Plural.) Perhaps there were 10 ferocious beasts that hadn’t eaten for a week.

       But God rescued Daniel. He turned those lions into kittens. He shut their mouths. All of a sudden, they weren’t hungry. I don’t know what Daniel did. Daniel was vegetarian so he probably lectured them on vegetarianism. (That never worked because after a few hours, the lions ate his enemies.) And Daniel was saved.

       The point? I believe that God honors those who are committed to Him.

       Today, you may feel as though you’re in a pit with huge, hungry lions around you. You’re surrounded by big problems that are ready to eat you alive. You feel you have no hope.

But friend, God honors your commitment to Him. God will shut the mouths of lions. God will rescue you. God will see you through. God will deliver you. You’ll overcome. You’ll win. Remain committed to Him. And you’ll witness how God will honor your commitment.

God Cannot Fully Use You Without Commitment

Let me give you an analogy.

You’re the boat. God’s power is the wind that will push the boat. And your commitment is the sail of the boat. It’s your commitment that catches the power of God.

The power of God is always available to you.

But are you using that power?

Mind you, without the sails, the wind can still push the boat. But it’ll be very slow. It’s your commitment that uses the power of God to do great things.

God cannot fully use a person who isn’t committed.

Do you want to do great things?

Be committed to your dreams.

Every success in the world happens because of commitment.

Henry Ford is known as one of the richest men in history. But five times in his life, the man failed in business and became totally bankrupt. But Henry Ford didn’t stop. He kept doing the hard stuff. Finally, he built the Ford Motor company—now the second biggest carmaker in America. What made Henry Ford succeed? Commitment.

Rowland Macy failed in 7 businesses. Can you imagine how depressing that was? But he had commitment. He didn’t stop. Finally, he built a store named Macy’s in New York. The rest is history. Macy’s is now the largest department store in the world. It has 800 giant stores in America. What made Rowland Macy build his store after failing 7 times? Commitment.

Col. Sanders was rejected 1009 times by restaurants who didn’t like his fried chicken recipe. He later built KFC, which has 20,000 restaurants all over the world. What made Col. Sanders go knocking on the doors of 1009 restaurants, selling his fried chicken recipe? Commitment.

Stephen King submitted his book manuscripts to 30 publishers. All rejected his book. He was so discouraged, he threw away the manuscript in the trashcan. But his wife picked it up and mailed it to another publisher. They accepted it. Today, Stephen King has written 49 books and has sold 350 million copies. What made Stephen King submit his manuscript to 30 publishers? And what made his wife pick up the manuscript from the trash to submit it to one more publisher? Commitment.

Friend, it’s always commitment that will make you succeed.

Here’s another definition: Commitment is stickability amidst difficulty.

What dreams in your life have not yet come true?

Do you want to be wealthy? You need to be committed. You can’t be wishy-washy. You need to be committed to increasing your financial IQ; You need to be committed to living simply, discerning your wants vs. your needs; You need to be committed to investing a part of your income every month for the next 20 years.

Do you want to be healthy? You need to be committed to eating fruits and veggies. You need to be committed to exercise. You need to be committed to avoiding useless stress.

Do you want a fantastic family? You need to be committed to spending time together. You need to be committed to communicating from the heart, expressing love in practical ways, and forgiving each other.

Do you want to be successful in your spiritual life? Same thing. You need to be committed too.

Relationships Die Without Commitment

       The world avoids the hard stuff.

       We worship the god of convenience.

Proof? In America today, the average marriage lasts for 8 years. Sadly, where America goes, the whole world goes.

For many, marriage vows are no longer “till death do us part” but “till boredom do us part.” If you bore me, I’m out. If you stifle my personality, I’m out. If you hinder my plans, I’m out.  If you pull me down, I’m out.  If you make me do the hard stuff, I’m out.

       But no relationship will flourish without commitment.

Let me talk to singles. If your boyfriend says, “I’ll love you as long as I feel like loving you,” will you marry him?

I hope not. Run away from someone who can’t commit. Because the basis of a successful relationship isn’t compatibility but commitment.

       And as a Christian, you need to be committed to two very important relationships…

First: Be Committed To God

For many people, God is like the fire extinguisher at the corner of their house. He’s only there for emergencies.

When there’s a fire—or intense problems in their life—God becomes the go-to guy. He suddenly becomes the most important person in their world.

But when there’s no fire, God is forgotten. He collects dust. He’s taken for granted.

Today, I invite you to commit to God.

God isn’t a fire extinguisher. God is water. He just doesn’t put off fires. You need water everyday to drink, to bathe, to wash, to nourish the plants…

Be committed to God.

       Here are a couple suggestions:

1.Connect With God Daily

I have a great marriage. (I didn’t say perfect. No such animal this side of the universe.)

And when people ask me, “Can you give me one tip to make my marriage better?” I tell them, “Have a romantic date with your spouse at least once a week.”

I swear by this practice. My wife and I have been married for 13 years, and we’ve never missed a date.

That date is written on stone: Tuesday night is hers. It’s sacrosanct. I won’t cancel it except for a few exceptions. First, if the Pope will call me on a Tuesday night to consult me on some Theological issue he doesn’t understand. Or if President Obama will ask for a conference call on a Tuesday night, to ask for my advice on how to solve the economic recession in America. Otherwise, I won’t cancel.

Because relationships thrive on commitment.

Commitment is the oxygen of relationships.

Without commitment, the relationship dies.

In the same way, your relationship with God needs commitment. Commit to spend time connecting with God daily.

Even if there are days when it’s hard.

It’s really up to you how you’ll connect with Him.

If someone tells you that there’s only one acceptable way of connecting to God, don’t believe him.

I’m convinced God has given you a unique prayer language based on your God-given design. It includes your personality, your preferences, your passions…

Examples?

Because I’m a writer, I love writing my journal everyday and writing my thoughts to God. That’s how I pray.

My other favorite way of praying is walking around my village and chatting with God, going over my day with Him.

One of my friends loves music.  He prays by listening to his iPod and singing worship songs. He swears by this way of praying. He simply loves it.

My other friend is a quiet person. She loves sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour. In that beautiful silence, her soul is transported. She tells me that she meets God this way, and I don’t doubt her.

For 60+ years, my parents connected with God by going to Mass every morning.

I don’t know what your prayer language is. Commit yourself to connect with God daily using your prayer language.

I also encourage you that you read God’s Word daily. Nourish your soul. My recommendation is to use a Bible guide, such as Didache, Companion, and Sabbath.  I hear that the guy who publishes these devotionals is brilliant, handsome, but prone to delusions.  (These are available in all major bookstores around the country. You may also order online at www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

2.Connect With God’s Family

Connecting alone to God is wonderful.

But it’s not enough.

Because He created you a social being.

Face it. I need you and you need me.

That’s why God invented spiritual communities. Church is His idea, not ours.

For over 30 years now, I’ve been part of a Catholic spiritual family called Light of Jesus. It’s been my lifesaver. I meet with my friends each week for Worship and Word.

Last week, I felt very encouraged. After the Feast, a woman came up to me and said, “Bo, I can’t thank you enough. Ever since I’ve attended the Feast, you can’t imagine the blessings I’ve received. My family is stronger. My husband loves God. My kids are serving in ministry. I’ve been promoted twice in my job. You’ve changed our entire lives!”

I smiled, “I’m happy for you. But sorry, I didn’t do that. You and God did all that. You were committed to come to the Feast. And God honored that commitment.”

She nodded her head. “Bo, do you know that even if there’s a storm, I’m here. But it’s funny how my friend doesn’t attend just because it’s drizzling…”

I laughed. “I know of someone who doesn’t come to the Feast because the air is moist…”

Here’s the reality: If you don’t want to come, you’ll find a reason not to come. But if you want to come—and receive God’s Blessing—you’ll find a reason to come.

Be committed. Do the hard stuff.

Second: Be Committed To God’s People

God didn’t create you for you.

God created you for others.

You’re not here in this planet for yourself.

You’re here to be a rich blessing to others.

The Bible says He’s prepared good works for us to do already. God wants you to bless specific people He has brought to your path. These people are your “God-assignments”.

Obviously, He has assigned you to bless your family.

But you have other “God-assignments” that aren’t part of your family.   Officemates.   Business associates. Gym-mates. Former classmates. Facebook friends.

Here’s my recommendation: In a small card, write down the names of 7 people whom you believe you can bless and bring closer to God.

Here are the 7 things you can do for these 7 people:

1. Pray for them daily

Put the card in your wallet or handbag. Pull it out and pray for them everyday. This, by itself, is a huge blessing to them.

2. Serve their needs in practical ways

Call them up. Visit them. Meet a need. Give a useful gift. Serve them in a small way.

3. Listen and respond with empathy

Sometimes, the best gift we give to people is our presence and our acceptance. Don’t speak first. Don’t give advice first. Listen to them first, understand them first, and show empathy.

4. Share your experience of God’s Love

You have a personal story to tell. Perhaps it was when God became real to you. Or when God answered your prayer. Inspire them.

5. Pray with them

Invite the person to pray with you. Don’t use big words to impress, such as, “Thou art Almighty, transcendent beyond illumination…” Talk to God instead using the simplest words.   Pray for the person’s need.

6. Invite them to your spiritual gatherings

Don’t rush this. But at the right moment, when you feel the person is open to it, invite him to your spiritual events. Because you want to give the person a spiritual family that will help him grow in his faith.

7. Ask them to be a blessing to others too

Invite him to pay it forward. Invite him to share God’s Love to others too. In the same way that you blessed him, tell him to bless others as well.

God Honors Your Commitment

       Friend, God is committed to you.

       His commitment to you is like a rock.

       Yes, He’ll do the hard stuff for you.

You may fail in your commitment to Him, but He’ll never fail in His commitment to you.

God isn’t a fair-weathered friend. He’s here for the long haul. He’s here for keeps. He’ll never give up on you. No matter what.

But here’s the truth: When we’re not committed, it’ll be very difficult for us to receive all His blessings. We’ll receive some blessings. But not all. Because many of His blessings only come to those who are committed.

My Story In The Lion’s Den

Many years ago, I felt like I was thrown in a den of lions.

For 20+ years, I was a broken man. I was locked up in a shame-based personality.

Each morning, I woke up ashamed of myself. It was so bad, I was ashamed that I even existed in the world. I didn’t like myself. I was ruled by my fears. I was afraid of what people will say about me. I would bend over backwards just to make people like me. If I learned someone didn’t like me, I’d panic.

I was a big mess.

My lions weren’t physical lions. My lions were in my mind. They were eating me up. I was dying inside.

But God rescued me from the lion’s den. God shut the mouths of the lions in my mind. And God told me, “Son, there’s nothing to be ashamed of anymore. And what if people will not like you? It doesn’t matter. I like you. More than you can imagine…”

Here’s the miracle.

If you told me ten years ago, “Bo, one day, you’ll be preaching to 5000 people in PICC every week,” I’d tell you, “Haha. Nice joke. Nah, that’s too big a dream for me…”

But that’s what God did. He took someone who was very broken—and used him to bless the world.

Friend, maybe life has not worked out for you. Maybe you’ve recently gone through crushing disappointments. Maybe your marriage failed. Or maybe the person you thought you’d marry didn’t work out. Or maybe you didn’t get the job you’ve been praying for. Or maybe you feel stuck in your finances.

Here’s God’s word for you: Don’t give up. Don’t think small. Say it out loud, “God will rescue me.”

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Love and Marriage

I find peace of mind every time I open my email because I know I am to receive God's wonderful messages for me. I would like to share God's message sent thru my cyber angel Ms. Monera Cabiguin.

A student asks a teacher, “What is love?”
The teacher said, “in order to answer your question, go to the wheat field and choose the biggest wheat and come back. But the rule is: –
You can go through them only once & cannot turn back to pick.”

The student went to the field, go thru first row, he saw one big wheat, but he wonders….maybe there is a bigger one later.

 Then he saw another bigger one… but maybe there is an even bigger one waiting for him.

 Later, when he finished more than half of the wheat field, he starts to realize that the wheat is not as big as the previous one he saw, he knew he has missed the   biggest one, and he regretted.

So, he ended up went back to the teacher with empty hand. The teacher told him, “…this is love… you keep looking for better ones, but when later you realize, you have already missed the person ….”*

*”What is marriage then?” the student asked.

The teacher said, “in order to answer your question, go to the corn field and choose the biggest corn and come back.

But the rule is:

You can go through them only once and cannot turn back to pick.”

The student went to the corn field, this time he is careful not to repeat the previous mistake, when he reach the middle of the field, he has picked one medium sized corn that he felt satisfied, and came back to the teacher.

The teacher told him, “this time you bring back a corn…. you look for one that is just nice, and you have faith and believe this is the best one you get…. this is marriage.

NOT AT THIS TIME

Read: Romans 11:33–12:2

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. —Romans 12:2

Isaiah 5-6; Ephesians 1

It can be quite discouraging for wanna-be writers to get their work rejected time after time. When they send in a manuscript to a publisher, they’ll often hear back in a letter with these words: “Thank you. But your submission does not meet our needs at this time.” Sometimes this really means “not at this time—or ever.” So they try the next publisher and the next.

I’ve found that the phrase This does not meet our needs at this time—or ever can be a helpful saying in my Christian walk to renew my mind and refocus my thoughts on the Lord.

Here’s what I mean. When starting to worry, we can remind ourselves: “Worry does not meet my needs at this time—or ever. My heart’s need is to trust God. I will ‘be anxious for nothing’ ” (Phil. 4:6).

When we envy what another person has or does, we can reinforce the truth: “Envy does not meet my needs at this time—or ever. My need is to give thanks to God. His Word says, ‘Envy is rottenness to the bones’ (Prov. 14:30), and ‘In everything give thanks’ ” (1 Thess. 5:18).

We can’t renew our minds by ourselves (Rom. 12:2); it’s the transforming work of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Yet speaking the truth in our thoughts can help us to submit to the Spirit’s work within. 

For Further Thought
What are some areas you struggle within your heart?
Ask God to renew your mind that it might think like His.
Then keep reminding yourself of the truth. 

The Spirit of God renews our minds
when we review the Word of God.

Monera Cabiguin

Fast for Financial breakthrough

Debt. Unpaid bills. Not enough money to give or save. If you're struggling with financial problems, you may feel overwhelmed. Maybe you've prayed for God's help, but haven't yet experienced solutions.

Adding fasting to your prayers can bring about breakthroughs in even the toughest situations. As you fast, God can change your perspective to more clearly reveal His plan for your finances.

Here are some ways you can fast for a financial breakthrough in your life:

* Consider the different types of fasts. Think about which type of fast you would like to undertake, such as: giving up one or two meals a day (and praying during those times), giving up meat, giving up all desserts and snacks, consuming only juice, or abstaining from something other than food (such as television). Then think about how long you'd like to fast. Make sure you check with your doctor before fasting for any sustained length of time so you don't endanger your health.

* Make sure your requests are in line with God's will. Ask only for money that God wants you to have. Understand that sometimes it's a greater blessing to receive wisdom that you can apply to your financial decisions than to suddenly receive a large sum of money. Know that a transformed attitude about money will glorify God more than just winning the lottery. Be open to God's best for you without trying to manipulate Him.

* Reflect on biblical principles while you fast. Study the Scriptures to understand what God has promised about how He will provide for His children.

* Believe that God will answer you. Know that God looks for faith among people who ask Him to move in their lives. Realize that if you have even just a little bit of faith, God can use it accomplish a huge task.

* Fast and pray with other believers. Ask others to pray with you. Know that there is more power in the prayers of two or more believers who agree about their prayers than simply in one believer praying alone.

* Continue fasting and praying until you receive an answer. Realize that your answer may take time to come. Trust in God's timing and ask Him to help you be patient as you wait. Be persistent, knowing that God is pleased when you stay in regular communication with Him.

* Ask God to remove barriers of sin in your life. Use your fasting time to reexamine your relationship with God. Ask God to reveal any hidden sin in your life that is obstructing your relationship with Him. Then when He does, confess it and ask for His forgiveness so He will begin in hear and answer your prayers.

* Ask God to use your fasting to increase your faith. As you fast, ask God to grow a bigger faith in you that you can apply to all situations in your life (money-related, or not).

* Learn biblical stewardship as you fast. As you control your physical appetite while fasting, ask God to give you discipline to help you control other aspects of your life, as well. Pray specifically for wisdom as it relates to your money problems. Ask God to help you understand why you're in financial trouble and what, if any, unhealthy habits you need to overcome.

* Keep a journal during your fast. As you fast about your money problems, write down what you're learning about money management. Refer to your journal later to help you make needed changes in how you handle your finances.

* Acknowledge that all your money comes from God. Take the time to thank God for what He has provided for you or enabled you to earn.

* Distinguish between needs and desires. Ask God to teach you the difference between what you need and what you want. Ask God to clarify whether your lack of money is due to poor financial management or His call to a vocation that doesn't pay well. Pray for the strength you need to avoid greed and embrace contentment.

* Prioritize your expenditures. During your fast, ask God to guide you as you rank your budget expenses from highest to lowest. Use your rankings as a guide for deciding how to spend in the future.

* Fast and pray for the strength to avoid temptation. Be aware that Satan will try to tempt you financially in many different ways, such as by drawing you into materialism or distracting you so you direct your resources away from where God wants you to invest them. Ask God to give you the strength you need to always follow where He leads as you manage your money.

God's Message for Today

We went to Padre Pio's shrine today to attend Sunday mass. I am recovering from a problem which my husband and I recently face and so I ask God to help me discern his message for me. During the homily, the priest mentioned about the word metanoia. The word itself has so many meanings: in thelogy it means repentance, in rhetoric it means correction and in psychology it means healing. I knew right there and then that all these meanings are directed to me.
I had asked the Lord for his message to me, what he wants me to do with my situation and its pretty clear to me that I need to repent and forgive myself and not be disappointed with the decision I made. I need to correct the ill feelings I had been carrying since that day happened and I have to ask and seek the Lord to heal and cleanse me.
This incident also made me realize of the things I have which I know I have taken for granted--my family. I have to find happiness in the small things I have and learn to cherish the. I need to re-assess my motivation of why I want to work abroad--is it really because I want to gain experience or is it because of my pride as I want to prove myself to other people? We both have stable jobs and a well-off life but why did I not see this and I yearned for more?
It dawned on me, I never asked help from God. I forgot to pray at night and I never went to mass when life was easy for me. I think God gave this bend on my road to let me know that I still need Him, that HE is still God.
Now, I will live my life one day at a time, with each day showing appreciation to the Lord and his blessings-big or small. I will try everyday to reform and be contented. I swear to always say my prayers in the morning and at night and for thank him for everything-be a blessing or a problem. I also promise to attend Sunday masses from now on.
I thank PAdre Pio for interceding for me, for bringing me God's message.
Truly, God in his own time, will answer our heart's desire.

Padre Pio's Feast Day

Pray. Hope and don't worry.

Today is the feast day of my beloved Saint- Saint Pio of Petrelcina.

Schedule of Masses for St. Pio's Feast Day

His Eminence, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will not be celebrating Mass on the 23rd due to health reasons. Below is the updated list of Mass celebrants:
10:00 AM - Rev. Fr. Victor Emmanuel Clemen
12:15 PM - Bishop Raul Martirez
5:00 PM - Bishop Teodoro "Ted" Bacani
7:00 PM - Rev. Fr. Daniel Allan Samonte

Prayer of Healing (Mind, Body & Spirit)

Pray this prayer with faith and trust in your heart.  If you are praying over someone, add the name of the person.)

Dear Lord, I know that there is no sickness You cannot heal.  You know all things, You can do all things and I know You love me very much.  With faith in Your promise that whatever we ask in prayer, You will grant us if it will be good for our soul.  I come before You to ask for the healing of my body, mind, emotions and spirit.  Touch me now where I am hurting most.  Only You know what kind of healing I need most right now.  Let the grace of Your divine love flow and spread to the different parts of my body reaching the inner recesses of my being.  Comfort me in my pain and anguish.  Correct any malfunctioning of my body organs.  Melt with Your healing love any abnormal growths.  Arrest all further spreading of all sick cells and replace them with healthy cells.  Root out all unresolved hurts, resentments, fears and feelings of despair and frustration.  Heal all painful memories and repercussions of traumatic experiences.  Grant me the grace to accept this trial and suffering as a share in Your own sufferings and offer this for the salvation of my soul and those of my family and loved ones.  Forgive me for all my sins and fill me with Your love, peace, joy, kindness and generosity.  Let me realize the deeper meaning of my sickness and trial and lead me closer to You as I find comfort in Your loving heart.  Let me find joy and peace amidst my suffering, and with eyes of faith, see the blessing and victory that await me.  And then, dear Father, after I have been healed, may I be a witness of Your healing power and bring glory, honor and praise to You.  This I pray in Jesus’ name through Mary and all the saints.  Amen.

Prayer for Cleansing

Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray that the cleansing power of the precious Blood of Your Son come upon us right now.  Purify us and wash us clean with the Blood of Jesus from the top of our head down to the very soles of our feet.  Let this Blood penetrate the very marrow of our bones to cleanse us from any entanglement from whatever spirit we have come in contact with during the course of our intercession.  Anoint us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and refresh our body, soul and spirit.  And may the sign of Your Holy Cross drive away all evil spirits from us.  (Make the sign of the cross.)  In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Bible Verse About Crying

John 14:1-31

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ...

Prayer for Emotional Healing

I came across this prayer when I experienced a bend on our road. These were the times when I felt completely helpless, times when the pain was too much to contain.

PRAYER FOR EMOTIONAL HEALING

Loving Father, 

I come before You with faith 

in Your promise 

that whatever I ask for in Your name 

You will grant to me if it is for the good 

of my soul and in accordance 

with Your Divine Will.

I come trusting in Your great love for me 

and believing that only You 

know what is best for me.

I come to You now to ask 

that You enter my heart 

and heal all my wounded emotions.

You know me better than I know myself.

Bring Your healing love 

into every corner of my heart 

and release all the buried 

negative emotions inside 

that have not been resolved 

and continue to cause 

me pain and anguish.

Remove all unhealed hurts 

and painful memories 

that block the flow of Your graces, 

robbing me of Your peace, love and joy.

Heal all feelings of sadness, loneliness, 

fear and anxiety.

Heal all guilt, despair, 

feelings of betrayal and rejection.

Heal all feelings of anger, hatred, 

resentment and bitterness.

Bring Your healing love to all my emotions 

that have caused me feelings 

of hopelessness, discouragement, 

helplessness and despair.

Grant me the grace to forgive all those 

who caused these negative 

emotions and likewise to be forgiven 

by those to whom I have done the same harm.

O Lord, give me a repentant heart, 

forgive me for my sins 

and failures, and be merciful to me.

Help me to realize the blessings 

that resulted from each painful experience 

and how this has led me closer to You.

As You release from me 

all these painful emotions, 

fill all empty spaces 

with Your love, Your peace, Your joy 

and the powerful presence 

of Your Holy Spirit.

After I have been healed, 

may my life be a witness 

to Your power and glory 

and may I reach out to others, too.

All these I pray in Jesus’ name 

through Mary and all the angels 

and saints. 

Amen.

When the Hour of Trial Is Darkest

When serving the Lord and you lose your way,

Just hold out your hand and let Jesus lead;

He’ll come to your aid, and you’ll hear Him say,

I’ll show you the way and meet every need.

God's dawn of deliverance often comes

when the hour of trial is darkest.

                                           

Prayer of Today for Tomorrow

Eternal Father, today, while I am fully conscious, totally lucid and completely free, 

I offer You my life with all its mysteries and sufferings.

Indeed, Eternal Father, I offer You my life as an ultimate act of love, 

as an act of infinite gratitude, as an act of faith in Your mercy.

My God and Father, accept this prayer I am making to You now

 for the day when You will call me back to you.

If I am conscious  at the final moment of my life, if anguish and doubt assail me, 

if medication prevents me from thinking of You, 

I want my last heartbeat to be an act of perfect love,

telling You with Jesus,

"Into Your hands, I commend my spirit".

-Amen

Change of Shoulders

Prayer is the place where burdens change shoulders.

My Online Angel

There's a bend on the road I am taking and along my journey, God sent me an angel. I have met her through my mother-in-law but never had the chance to really get to know her. I would just see her name in my email inbox as she is fond of sending inspirational messages, some of which I never had the chance to appreciate until I came across a bend on the road. Her inspirational messages accompanied me through my trying times and I learned to appreciate the inspiring thoughts and the biblical passages she would often send. I also learned to reply to her messages and let her know how I appreciate her presence and help...God sent me an angel Ms. Monera Cabuguin...thank you so much maám and I hope to meet you and thank you in person.

God Will Meet Your Needs...

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

God will meet your needs!!

When God permits suffering, He also provides comfort.

In all losses, we can turn to the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who alone can heal our brokenness and grief. 

We have a Friend who’ll never leave,
Who’s closer than a brother;
He’s there to meet our deepest needs,
To comfort like no other.

When God permits suffering, He also provides comfort.

Thank you Padre Pio

I am just on my sixth day with the St.Pio novena and i can already see and feel the loving intercession of Padre Pio.Thank you Lord,thank you Mama Mary, thank you Padre Pio.

Prayer to St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Prayer to St. Pio of Pietrelcina

O God, you gave Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, Capuchin priest, the great privilege of participating in a unique way in the passion of Your Son; grant me through his intercession the grace of....

which I ardently desire; and above all grant me the grace of living in conformity with the death of Jesus, to arrive at the glory of the resurrection.

Glory be to the father...(3 times)

Padre Pio's Reassuring Words

Pray, Hope and Don't Worry...

This is what I kept saying to myself each time trials knock on my door.

Pray.
Prayers are our connection to God. Prayers remind us that we are humans...we are just humans and that we need to communicate and connect with our creator.
Hope.
To keep hope within our hearts no matter how difficult life maybe is the only thing we can give to ourselves.
Don't Worry.
The most reassuring word...reassuring in the sense that let us not worry, we have a merciful GOD.

My Devotions to St. Pio Chapel

I first heard about Padre Pio at sometime in 2009 when my grand mother was sick but I never got the chance to visit the chapel. I have read numerous testimonials about the powerful intercession of St. Pio including that of tv personalities Christine Bersola and Julius Babao.

I encouraged my husband that we should visit the place and we were able for the first time in May 2010. That was the beginning of my devotions to Padre Pio.

The chapel is right at the middle of the the buzzling city of Libis in Quezon City but anyone who has gone to the shrine would attest the solemnity and peacefulness of the surroundings. The facade of the chapel was inspired by the chapel of the Church of Our Lady of Grace in San Rotondo, Italy and it is surrounded by lush trees, a prayer garden and an aviary.

Every time I'm at the middle of an emotional battle, I always seek refuge in St. Pio's shrine as it is really a place of solace and meditation.

In return for the graces that St. Pio has been giving me that I decided to put up this blog so anyone who needs spiritual guidance and intercession would be blessed just as Padre Pio is continually blessing and guiding me.

The Padre Pio Encounter

Sharing some pictures taken from our May 2010 visit

A Testimonial

Just as the school year began, my husband and I went to Padre Pio’s center in Libis Quezon City. I remembered asking numerous things-some trivial others were note worthy. I remembered asking Padre Pio to bless the books that I am writing, to give me a fruitful school year, to bless our family and our loved ones with good health, I also remembered asking Padre Pio to bless us with a child and intercede for us to be able to work abroad. Among the many other things I asked, this was what I least expected to be answered, afterall, both my husband and I have stable jobs. After a few weeks after , one of my prayers was answered. An opportunity came for us to be able to work overseas and constantly after that, we can still feel Padre Pio’s intercession. Every step of the application process was easy for me and my husband. There was never a document that became impossible to process and all the people whom we worked with during the application were all accommodating and I know it’s because the Lord is working through Padre Pio.

I would like to share the blessing which the Lord through the intercession of Padre Pio gave to us. I first heard about Padre Pio in a documentary at National Geographic. I heard about his miraculous healings and intercessions. A week after that, I read about the trip of Tintin Bersola, Julius Babao and Ricky Lo to the Padre Pio shrine in Italy and the testimonials they gave. I searched the internet and came across so many blogs which published numerous testimonials about Padre Pio and realized that there was a Padre Pio center in the Philippines. From then on, I turn to Padre Pio’s intercession every time I need some guidance and divine intercession.

I brought my mother and my aunt to see Padre Pio and their encounter was the same us ours.. It was always a long drive but it was worth it. For some reasons, every time we are at the center, we felt the heaviness and worries of our hearts melt away and in my heart of hearts I know, that Padre Pio heard their heart’s desires.

I always look forward to visiting the center again. I know I had to come back to the place to say thank you and to ask for his intercession again. I said “Lord alam kong ikaw ang nagbigay ng opportunity na ito and kung para po to sa amin, salamat po at tuluyan mo po kaming i-bless para po mapangyari naming ang will ninyo”.

We left the Padre Pio center yesterday with a novena and a rosary at hand, which we will be bringing with us as we leave.I hope that those who will read this, will know more about Padre Pio and will get to experience his powerful intercession. I remembered one of the anecdotes of Padre Pio which read “How can I say no to a prayer when my Lord answers all prayers”.

For those who would want to visit Padre Pio Center, here's the complete address:

St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel

(of the Philippine Centre for St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Inc.)

RER Compound, 188 E. Rodriguez, Jr. Avenue (C-5), Bagumbayan,

Quezon City, Metro Manila 1110 Philippines

Who is St. Pio?

Francesco Forgione – or more widely known as St. to the world – was born on May 25, 1887 in the province of Benevento in Pietrelcina, a farming town in the Southern Italian region of Campania, as the fourth of seven children to Grazio Mario Forgione (1860-1946) and Maria Guiseppa De Nunzio (1859-1929). He was baptized the day after he was born in the Sant’ Anna Church in Pietrelcina by Father Nicolantonio Orlando, and was named Francesco because of his mother’s devotion to St. Francis of Assisi. He was privately tutored until his entry into the Capuchin Friars Minor at the age of 15. With feeble health but a strong will to serve God, he completed the required studies and was ordained a priest in 1910.

On September 20, 1918, the five wounds of our Lord’s Passion appeared on his body, making him the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Church. Crowds began to pour into the Capuchin monastery to hear Mass from St. Pio and for him to hear their confession. The Supreme Congregation of the Holy Office imposed restrictions on St. Pio and ordered his removal from the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo. However, the order was suspended when it provoked great reaction among the citizens of the town, who rose up to prevent St. Pio from being taken from them. St. Pio, on the other hand, continued his life of prayer and intense fulfillment of his apostolic ministry, through confession and perfect obedience to his superiors and the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Worn out by over half a century of intense suffering and constant apostolic activity, his health grew worse.

On September 23, 1968 shortly after making the sacrament of confession, renewing of religious vows and receiving the sacrament of extreme unction to Padre Pellegrino, St. Pio died in holiness with the names of “Jesus, Mary” on his lips.

The Diocesan process for St. Pio’s canonization began on March 20, 1983 and was closed on January 21, 1990. Padre Pio was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 2, 1999, after the miraculous healing of Mrs. Consiglia De Martino of Salerno, Italy, the needed miracle for the beatification, was approved by the Congregation for the Cause of Saints. On December 18, 2000, the miraculous healing of 7-year old Matteo Collela of San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, the needed miracle for canonization, was approved by the Congregation for the Cause of Saints.

Blessed Padre Pio was declared a saint by Pope John Paul II on June 16, 2002.

(Information obtained from: http://saintpiocenter.com/St._Pio_Centre/Who_is_St._Pio.html)