A Good Sense of Humor

A good sense of humor helps us emotionally and socially. It is a physical and emotional release, brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way.  Research has shown that people who laugh more are healthier — they're less likely to be depressed and may even have an increased resistance to illness or physical problems.  It’s a good workout for the heart.  But most of all, a good sense of humor is what makes life fun.  It enables us to see things in a positive standpoint, and keep things from appearing too overwhelming or scary.

We are blessed to have love ones and friends with whom we can each share our frustrations, and laugh about them in the process.  It gives us the courage to smile instead of cry. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:22

By Mhel P.

If God be for us...

A Crisis or A Quest?

If your age is in the bracket of 40 through 50's you are in another phase of your life.  Some starts as early as 35 - they called it Midlife Crisis.  Well… is it really a crisis?
For some, mid-life is more complicated.  They might experience unhappiness with life and their lifestyle.  We can blame it to declining hormone levels or unwillingness to accept the undeniable signs of aging.  It can be a painful time emotionally which can lead to depression and confusion about who they are and where they are going.  Discontentment sets in.  The signs of aging become more obvious and will do their best to delay it as long as possible, changing hair style, avoiding clothes or color that makes them old but most of all, becoming health conscious. 
To others, it is a quest in which there's a deep searching, an intense desire to discover the true meaning of life and their purpose on earth; becoming the person they really want to be.  Men find their worth by their job performance and success; women often through relationships though they already have a lifelong career. 
MID-LIFE is a crucial time of self evaluation. All of us will go through this critical phase of existence.  We become sensitive and more concerned with our mortality.  There are so much things to do and dreams to fulfill.  Time is running out.
People who live their lives with a purpose will find the transition into midlife easy. But what is your sense of purpose? We may reach the pedestal of worldly success and yet still feels lacking.   The yearning that's happening in our life is more than skin deep. It's the spirit within us that's longing for something greater. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Ecclesiastes 12:13 
The LORD God said to him, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not the rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD (Jer. 9:23-24). 
To know our God and have a personal relationship with Him must be our quest and the number one desire of our heart. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17:3
There are things we cannot have, plans we cannot do, and dreams that cannot be fulfilled.  We have to adjust, simplify, and prioritize our life and be at peace with it.  Use our remaining productive years for growth, love and happiness.  Be thankful on what we have!   ^"… Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." 1Timothy 6:6-7
Remember, if we have Christ, we have everything!  -By Mhel P

Summer has gone by so swiftly.  A new autumn is at our door.  Another turned page, another fresh start, another opportunity to experience God’s goodness.

Life is a Story

Everyone has a story.  Everybody has their own share of pains, difficulties as well as visions and dreams.  Life holds a lot of promises.  But to see its beauty, we should prevail over cruelty, to achieve success, we should learn from every failure, to find joy, look beyond our pain.  Every difficulty can make us strong and wise.  Each day is a challenge but it is also our opportunity to grow.  Visions and dreams help us to go on and embrace our tomorrow.  

Our life is a story.  Our strengths and weaknesses, fears and hopes, every aspiration and priorities, our every thoughts and actions create the chapters of our life.  This world is only our temporary place to prepare us for our final destination – to Eternity. 

Wealth, profession, recognition and knowledge are good for our pride but all is vexation of spirit.  When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?...In the days to come all will have been long forgotten. All is vanity and chasing after wind. (Ecclesiastes)  We should guard our self not to be entangled by these.  For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:26).  Do not forsake wisdom; she will protect you (Proverbs 4:6).  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding...” Psalm 111:10

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Ecclesiastes 12:13

As we journey through life, treasure the word of God in our heart that we may not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).  Make the best of what we have.  Be at peace wherever God place us.  Be a blessing in any situation, create beauty in everything that we touches even though we know that it will be taken away from us; touching, feeling, inhaling, beholding the moment as time goes by.  We have the ability to create, to give and to help with compassion; affecting others to know and love the Lord.  For all that we have, and all that we are, is for the glory of God our Father.  "For in him we live and move and have our being…" Acts 17:28 

We are open book in God's eyes.  And at the end of time, He will only keep to Himself those who are worthy and cast out those who are not.  However, He has the power to erase our failures and offenses and make our life worthy in His eyes if we will repent of our sins and acknowledges His authority (Acts 2:38). 

We only have one chance to write our story.    May every chapters of our life bring praises to His Name and smile on His face.

By MhelP.

Faith Strengthened

In order for faith to be strengthened, it must be refined. In order for faith to be refined, it must be strengthened.

"We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:2-5

I belong to the moment I am in...

I belong to the moment I am in.  

I rejoice in the Lord my Maker who allowed me to be in my "NOW" for a reason. 

The Epitome of a Virtuous Man

1. He manages his own family well. "…faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect." Timothy 3:2-4

  2. The heart of his wife safely trusts in him. He devotedly loves her. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" Ephesians 5:25


3. His children hear his instruction and attend to know understanding. He disciplines with love and the words of God. He is slow to anger and rules his spirit. ”And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 


4. Not given to drunkenness. He walks in the way of good [men], and keeps the paths of the righteous. He is wise and will hear and will increase learning; and as a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. "Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted." Proverbs 31: 3-5

5. He stretches out his hands to the poor. He is a man of principle and judge righteously. He finds favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31: 8-9

6. Jesus Christ is the Lord of his life. His wife respects, loves, and obeys him. "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." 1 Corinthians 11:3


7. He leads his family to God. "…But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

The Wind

It fascinates me –the wind that we cannot see nor touch but yet we can feel. How I love the tender breeze caressing my face. But I sense its strength if I go against it. It’s hard to go against the wind. Every step forward is a struggle. The wind may come in different directions and in various manners. Sometimes it is silent, patiently holding its breath. Sometimes it is a soft whisper embracing us with care. There are times it is playful, trying to push us wherever it pleases. But when it unleashes its rage, it strikes without mercy –it will destroy everything on its path. We cannot fight it; nothing in this world can stop it. However, it has a Master. The wind also listens and obeys. “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39 I know the Master of the Wind, He is also my Lord! Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded even the winds and water, and they obey him. –Luke 8:25 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11 By MhelP.

Life is a Series of Events

When things happen, the natural reaction is to ask questions. What? How? Why? "What" can be easily answered by observation. "How" needs more thinking to process and satisfy the question. "Why" produces different answers from different people, depends on their beliefs and reasoning. Life is a series of events, and because we are constrained by time our view is so limited. It's hard to know exactly why things are happening. But our God knows everything. The way we handle the situation and how it affects our heart, our mind and our faith matter most to God. He does not send bad things to punish us or test us. We are just living in a world corrupted by sins. However, it's comforting to know that He is in control. He gives us peace that passes all understanding, joy to lighten up our journey, hope and strength to finish our course. -MhelP.

Perfect and Complete - Lacking Nothing!

In the midst of affliction, it's easy for any of us to fall in desolation. But remember; when things get tough…Stay the Course! Even in the midst of affliction and desolation, God is with us and He has given us sufficient grace to endure. "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-12 For affliction grinds the complacency of our standard concept of reality. It forces us to awaken our good judgment to feel deeply, to see differently, and to think creatively. It is nearly a time of rejoicing for by faith, the perfect work of patience will again add virtue in our stature -"Perfect and complete, lacking nothing." "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 By MhelP. ________________

Changes and Life

Why are we having a hard time to accept changes? Is it because it interrupts our peace and comfort; fear of the unknown or of not being in-control?
The thought of pain, hard work and not be able to adjust make us resist the unpredictable changes in our life. But the more we fight and oppose the change, the more painful and frightening it will be.

Life is continually changing whether we like it or not. As long as there is life, there's movement and transformation. Change is constant. It's either we accept it and by the help of God, use it in our advantage; or it will make us fearful, and miserable.
There were changes that at first frightened me. But through God's help with faith and determination, with my husband besides me, we were able to blaze the uncharted trail that was set before us. Whenever I look back, despite uncertainty, thorns and rugged terrains, it reminds me that we were blessed to embrace the challenge.

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3 that there was a "time" for everything under the sun and all have to do with change - birth, death, sowing and reaping, building and tearing down, weep and laugh, war and peace. However, it is refreshing to know that from the beginning to end, God made everything beautiful in His time.

If we understand that everything around us is temporary and change is a part of our life; and we know that God holds the future, then we can easily accept what our tomorrow brings. Yes, it's not easy and sometimes it's painful. But our Great God and Savior promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 He will guide us and will be with us even unto the end of the world. -Matthew 28:20 Cast all your cares upon Him. Nothing is too difficult for God. He is aware of every changes in our life and how it affects us. Trust in Him for He is in control.
Remember, if we are in Christ, we are not of this world, we are just passing by. Through our life’s journey -from birth to eternity, changes are certain. Face it with steadfast faith and great courage -for God is making us ready and worthy for a great and absolute change (1 John 3:2-3) - to be like Him. "… we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Thessalonians 4:17- Our mortal bodies will be transformed into glorious ones. We will be with our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ forever. …And then no more change. -By MhelP.

Remember Jesus' Last Words

When I was young, this time of the year impacted my life deeply. I had no bible before, and I only knew little of my Savior Jesus Christ. Most of my knowledge about Him I learned through watching movies about His life and death, His suffering and His resurrection. But in my young heart, it was just enough to awaken the longing of my soul to know Him more. If we are really seeking for the truth, our God will guide us to the right path. God knows my heart and he led me to the path He wanted me to be. I was 17 years old when I accepted Him in my heart. I was baptized in His wonderful name and was filled with His Spirit (Acts 2:38). It was a grand day when He saved me by His grace. It's a wonderful life to have a personal relationship with our Great God. Since then, I learned more about Him and still learning through His divine words. "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4
Although the Holy Scriptures were written more than two thousand years ago, there's always a fresh revelation for us whenever we read the Holy Bible. The proceeding words of God are our daily eye opener to direct us and guide us to what He wanted us to be. He never stops speaking to us.
Christ's resurrection means that we have a living God who, by dying on the cross, has washed our sins by His blood. He became the perfect sacrifice and whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting life.
Jesus' last words are not "Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit." His death is just the beginning of the greatest redemption of humanity. He overcame the grave and the thick veil from the Holy of the Holiest was torn apart - giving all the humanity the greatest privilege to access the throne of Grace whenever our desperate soul needs it.
Jesus' last words: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight." Acts 1:8-9
Believers, remember Jesus' last words…"You shall be my witnesses…to the end of the world."
It's because of this joyous message our lives and ministries were transformed and directed by our Savior's last words. Tell the world He is Risen! He is alive forevermore! -By Mhel P.

The World Cannot Take It Away

Everyone wants to be happy. We love the delight and pleasure it brings. We are happy if we are with someone we love, if we have the things we need, and our life situation is going well. We feel good because of what's happening around us. But nothing is permanent in this world, and happiness based on what the world gives also will not last.

-People that we love will not always be with us.
-New and beautiful things will give us just a moment of bliss; and if we're not careful, it will create a deeper craving for more things.
-Life's situation …as we all know, it changes quickly, right before our eyes.

What our soul need is joy - the intense happiness that is not cause by external motivation. It cannot be bought and cannot be found in the world. It comes from within. It is one of the fruits of God's spirit produces within us. Knowing Him and having a personal connection with Him brings joy deep within our heart. Obedience and complete trust in Him brings great peace and contentment. In the good times and the bad, in prosperity and having nothing, even when we're alone, the joy that His Spirit gives will remain; it will stay regardless of what happen. It is God's gift to every believer and the world cannot take it away. “Rejoice in the Lord always!”

By MhelP.

What Is True Love?

What Is True Love? Is it when you catch sight of your beloved and your heart starts racing? The increased heart rate is because of the adrenaline rush. The brain sends signals to the adrenal gland, which secretes hormones that flow through the blood and cause the heart to beat faster and stronger. The brain produces the neurotransmitter dopamine which gives you that focused attention, the euphoria, the energy and the motivation; as well as a stress hormone that makes you feel weak in the knees. It feels that this person is the source of your good feelings and brings the best out of you! You feel alive and you'll do everything for that person because you want that feelings to last forever. In this stage you are in what we called Romantic love.

However, like happiness, romantic love will fade because good feelings only depend on what happen. Hormones production will decline. And because you see the other person as the source of your good feelings, you blame them when you don't feel good. It sometimes feels like love is dying. Respect and appreciation might even disappear because of hurt feelings and neglect. At this point, it's easy to give in to hopelessness and despair.

Love is not just a strong emotion; it is also a personal connection, a commitment that needs nurturing.
The truth is all couple who has been happily married also went through the rough times. In this stage, you consciously and intentionally learn to better your relationship. You'll gain insights about yourself, about your partner and the nature of your relationship. And both of you will learn to accept each other as a unique individuals. You'll see your partner as your best friend. It is a partnership with deep love, respect and trust. You are satisfied and secured to be with that person no matter what. You are not under the influence of hormones. You are consciously aware that you love your partner for better or for worst. God's unconditional love flows through both of you and helps you see beyond faults and saw each other's needs. This is what we called "True Love"!

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

By Mhel P.