Every day is a new opportunity...

Do you believe that God is a god of first, second, third, fourth and fifth chances?
We all stumble and fall. If we will let failures and hurts be our drive to long for a new upshot then we can consider every morning a new opportunity to stand, dream, plan and act to reach the star!

These chances will give us a lifetime opportunities.
God teaches me lately on how to live my life to the fullest, know my life's purpose and pursue it! I would love to share with you the wondrous opportunities that we can experience every day.

An opportunity to bless others...

There are many simple ways on how to bless others. A single and easy effort can change the mood or even change the life of people that you will encounter in a very simple new day.

Here are some of the simple ways:
- Give them your warm smile
- Send a doze of inspiration through an SMS
- Say, how are you today?
- Lead pep talks
- Say "thank you"
- Be generous in giving affirmations
- Be an encourager
- Be appreciative

An opportunity to improve and learn more...

By God's leading, we can appoint what went wrong with our previous decisions and actions. Life's failures can be considered as our best teacher. Being teachable and open minded can be an opportunity to live the good life God has planned for us. Remember that the door of the room for improvement will never be locked.

An opportunity to meet to new people...

Our Life Group

I met these girls a couple of months ago but it seems that I've known them for a long time. We jive because we have one heart - a heart that desires to love and experience God in our lives. They've been my encourager, friends and laugh-mates!

Go out! Find new friends who can be your companions. It feels so good to be circled by people of God!

An opportunity to make a new happy ending...

I love how God made His promise stated in Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God did not design a complicated life for us. All he wanted is a happy ending in every scene in our lives. As might be expected, having happy endings surely depend on how we work and respond to life. Listening to God's voice is the main secret - an opportunity to listen to God's leading and opportunity to act according His will. 

Without doubt we can hear these words from our Creator's mouth,

Well done, my good and faithful servant! I will let you enjoy a new happy ending!
Let's celebrate together!" :)

It’s not who she is but who she can be…

December 2011 - Christmas Party

I am not a teacher by profession but I have experienced 4 happy and momentous years of being with children, parents and Co teachers  – that was a very rare opportunity, all by God’s grace.

I started teaching at the age of 19, nervous at first but I know I was really excited.
I know it was indeed God’s plan – I had a word from Him and was guided from the very beginning. But that was not an easy decision, I kept on resisting.


Is this really your will Lord? Yes or No? I’ve battled with that thought.

These are the things I’ve pondered:
• Teaching is a noble profession, teachers’ skills are exceptional!
• No one touches the future like teachers routinely do – this will be a great fulfillment.
• Try! It’s God’s way to mold and teach me to love people even more.
• By God’s grace, it will be enjoyable!

Another reminder was the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30
To sum it up: Three men were given talents by their master. The first two received five and two talents of money which they are put to good use and doubled their money. The third man chose to bury his because he was afraid to lose it. The master called his stewards to account on his return. He applauded the first two but upbraided the third.

So, I realized - this is my starting position and I said YES to God and to the calling! At the back of my mind, I’m afraid to be scolded by God if I will not maximize and explore the skills that He has entrusted me. In the long run, it was all for God’s glory!

My journey through teaching has thought me numerous lessons and experiences that justify saying YES to God was of great purpose. I enjoyed being with young minds: talked and thought like a kid – had long discussions with their parents and most of all loving these kids like mine.

Yes, not a teacher by profession but I became a mother (young mom), companion and supporter of many mankind.

Left teaching with fulfillment in me, I know I left something.. Not a perfect one but did things with great love. The good thing is, I still communicate with my bebes. They are indeed a manifestation of God’s generosity in giving wonderful opportunities -  ie. to love and be loved!

This is the challenge...
Are you willing to stretch yourself to seek, obey, learn, experience variety of things and  do more than what you know and are already capable of doing now? Do you believe that God has a wonderful plan for your life?

Let's learn to listen to His instructions and act according to His perfect will. Pray fervently to recognize His purpose. The more we seek the more we find.
All of our days are held in God's hands - crafted into His perfect plans.
We can be a clay that is surrendered to the Potter's hand!

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8

 

 

In hard times SHE had learned 3 things....

Image courtesy of Sis Abby Pamintuan

Let's check ourselves first before proceeding to the whole post.

Do we embrace trials and hardships?
Survivor or loser?
Optimistic or pessimistic?
Thankful or grumbler?

When I got this image from a dear sister in Christ, Abby there are lots of things that came into my head - flashbacks, vivid memories and "woeful" experiences.

I've been persuaded to write and provide a content to make the image more powerful!

Her name is Woman will now share what she had learned in hard times...

1. She was stronger than she ever imagined...
Oh to be strong - I always say that I am Darna - superwoman - the queen of multi-tasking. I believe that I am a strong lady who can withstand everything. I trust about the truth that God enables us to do great things if we'll just trust Him in spirit and in truth.

Keeping in my heart Philippians 4:13 (NIV) "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength".

The more we seek God in times of hardships the more we find him - the more we are being renewed. 
Fear not, do not be dismayed! God will strengthen and uphold us in His righteous hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

He makes us stronger every day! 
Like gold, we are just being refined by heating "hardships" until all impurities have burned off.

2. Jesus was closer than she ever realized...
 During sad and hard moments we often pray right?
 We ask for comfort and strength to go on.
When we are tested we were broken but Jesus is close to the broken-hearted.
Psalm 34:18 says that Jesus is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 

I really felt the embrace and closeness of Jesus during those "not so good times"! 
He is a personal God - getting closer and closer to those who find Him!

No matter how big the universe is, God is bigger. His being fills up all infinity. He is omnipresent - everywhere present! ~ John MacArthur

3. She was loved more than she ever knew...
It feels, it feels so good to be loved so bad!

Hebrews 12:7
"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"

We are sons/daughters of God.. we are being disciplined because He wants the best for us!
God is a loving father, here's an intimate message from God to you - Father's Love Letter

So I was loved - you are loved by God than we ever knew or imagined!

Let's embrace HARDSHIPS as we embrace BLESSINGS =) 
 

Proverbs 31 Woman - The Inspiration

I never thought about being a writer/blogger - yes you heard me right!

I hate reading and I also hate writing - they seemed to be my sleeping pills ^.^ I was not hooked by any book sales, books given as a gift not even eBooks which can be downloaded for free! 

I believe reading/writing widens our territory of knowledge and a good exercise for the brain - but being so hardheaded it was never an interest.

Till the time comes that I was involved into all ladies group who studies the word of God. We have a different topic each week and our Bible Study Group leader really emphasizes women who have prominent characters - worthy of imitation. 

One Sunday afternoon, we had our discussion about "Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character" Proverbs 31:10-31 as the passage.

This time, I was hooked! I fell in love with this woman -  I even visualized this woman as me! I have been mentally stimulated by the passage. 

I started to thank and praise God for creating me as a woman -fearfully and wonderfully made!
Additionally, God blessed me with an interest – interest to explore and learn. Hence, I started to seek books and articles which further describe this woman and have anecdotes noted. 

When Blogger asked me for the blog name, of course the first thing that entered my mind is that woman - Her Name is Woman!

Getting more excited at starting my writing journey - weeww!

.....Her Name is Woman, taken from my Proverbs 31 journey.