What is Mother?

It takes a Mother's Love to make a house a home,
A place to be remembered, no matter where we roam.
It takes a Mother's Patience, to bring a child up right,
And her Courage and her Cheerfulness to make a dark day bright.





It takes a Mother's Thoughtfulness to mend the heart's deep "hurts,"
And her Skill and her Endurance to mend little socks and shirts.
It takes a Mother's Kindness to forgive us when we err,
To sympathize in trouble and bow her head in prayer.












It takes a Mother's Wisdom to recognize our needs
And to give us reassurance by her loving words and deeds.
It takes a Mother's Endless Faith, her Confidence and Trust
To guide us through the pitfalls of selfishness and lust.

And that is why in all this world there could not be another
Who could fulfill God's purpose as completely as a MOTHER!

Author Unknown

Deep Calls Unto Deep

" Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me." Psalms 42:7
All humanity is created with a deep spiritual yearning that no worldly things and riches can satisfy. It cannot be found at the altars of money, or medals of worldly achievements - although most people often go to these false gods in order to find it. Our hunger for God is often suppressed by our cares of life, caused us further away from Him - until we do not know what we are looking for.
But the deep calls upon the deep. The deep feeling of emptiness inside us is longing to be filled by something unfathomable of which nothing under the sun can satisfy. The depth of our inner soul calls to the depth that is greater and much more powerful than the deepest ocean. It is the depth of God's love.
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19
Through our Savior, He gives us the key to escape the wretchedness of the human condition and experience life in perfect harmony with God. The purpose of His coming is …"To give us life and have it more abundantly!" John 10:10 He died on the cross so that we might live forever. In his final words Jesus said, "It is finished!" Our Lord Jesus Christ conquered and destroyed death!
"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:10
Our Lord Jesus Christ delivers true happiness, lasting joy, peace that's beyond our own understanding, the eternal hope and most of all the freedom of forgiveness. He will give us purpose to live for and power to live on.

Mhel P.

Beauty to the Eye

BEAUTY TO THE EYE

In a world obsessed with celebrities, youthfulness and beauty, it is easy for a woman who has no self-assurance to be left out and feels undesirable. We all know that true beauty lies within our heart. However, we can't run away from the reality that for most people, physical appearance is the number one factor for selecting a life partner …But it's also true that the perception of beauty is different for each person, just like we are all unique in our own ways.

To be beautiful doesn't mean to have a perfect facial symmetry. Sometimes our physical characteristics that we despise and consider to be a flaw like the mole on our face, our forehead, lips, or that bent on our nose, surprisingly add uniqueness and make us more attractive!

Female beauty doesn't define by showbiz standards or how others perceive us! It's not about the color of our skin, hair or eyes; not by the shape of our face or our body - It is by embracing our femininity - accepting who we are; self - respect; positive attitude towards life; and feeling good about our self. These will create confidence that radiates the beauty we possess all along. We should learn to nurture our attractiveness from within.

1. Embracing our femininity - The female qualities make a woman fascinating. It is our greatest attraction. God created us to be a woman, and we need to embrace that role whole heartedly! In our house as well as in public, we must be feminine - with modesty in the way we dress, move and talk; with wisdom, propriety, and self control. It will not only add to our charm, it also pleases our Maker! - To be in our purest form, who God originally created us to be!
2. Respect yourself and others - Begin with yourself. Self-respect is the foundation of everything. If we respect our self, it's easy to respect others. Not only it's a good thing to do, surely it has a reciprocal effect- we will reap what we sow! "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31
3. Positive attitude towards life - A woman's beautiful heart and soul illuminates the face with an indescribable charm and radiance! Her facial expressions have been formed by the thoughts most entertained by her mind.
Remember - every thought of hate, envy, jealousy or revenge that we allow taking hold of our heart and mind destroy our feminine beauty. If you let your mind continue to hold ugly thoughts, your face will hold an ugly expression.
Happiness flows from gratitude. The more we are grateful, the happier we become. "Merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:22
Find gratitude in everything possible - with your work, with your husband, your children, yourself and others, regardless of how small it is. If you let your mind entertains only pure, beautiful thoughts, your face will continually express that beauty.
"But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:4

4. Feeling Good about yourself - True beauty lies within our heart and what's the intent of the heart reflects outside. If you do not like yourself you are conveying negative or unpleasant signals wherever you go. Be comfortable in being a woman. Think beautiful and you will move in that direction.

You can improve self- confidence by consciously working to improve who and what you are.

Make your conversation interesting and stimulating. You will be a fascinating companion. Be considerate of the feelings of others. Learn the art of listening. Everyone wanted to be heard.
Clothes and appearance are the most powerful nonverbal communicators - not only of our socioeconomic status, but also of our moral values. We should wear clothing that will provide us with humility, decency and propriety. It doesn't need to be expensive -- as long as the colors, prints and style complement your skin tone and the shape of your body. More attentive grooming helps immensely. "...women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control,..." ~1 Timothy 2:9-10

Do not compare yourself to others, nor be like them. "…measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 2 Corinthians 10:12. God fashioned you as you are.

Self confidence with a kind and gentle heart will naturally draw people to like you. You are created beautiful. Cultivate it from within.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalms 139:14

By Mhel P.

Victory at My Doorstep

Victory at My Doorstep

Adversaries, problems, hardships,

where are your stings?

You are stronger and merciless than before

But distress I feel no more

I am neither trembling nor crying

I can confront you without fretting

Though in great numbers, you came

I find strength in my Savior's Name

I thank God and rejoice for this moment

For my faith will again be strengthen

Walk above you with confident steps

Joyful - for another victory at my doorstep

By MhelP.

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4

She is a Pastor's Wife

She is a wife, a mother, a friend and sometimes an employee. She tries to live a holy life to be a living sacrifice for the Lord, a wife that will not bring shame to her husband and her children; to be an example child of God to the congregation. But she is not perfect. She also has weaknesses. She understands she cannot please everyone, no matter how hard she tries; she experienced how to be rejected and become the object of criticism. But she learned that what others think of her or speak about her, neither determines her worth nor validates it as truth. She knows that holding grudges and bitterness hurt only her and her relationship with the Lord. She understands that people are people and each person is growing in Christ on God’s timetable-not hers. That's why the warm greetings and smile she gave is genuine, for she's doing it for the Lord, for the sake of fellowship and love for the souls, because she is called along with her husband to minister. - She is a Pastor's wife.

She truly cares for the congregation. She rejoices in its victory and feels the pain when it's in the valley.

She serves with love from deep within; with a sincere heart, she listens and lends a hand. In addition to her own trials, she also carries your burdens. But nobody knows the intensity of the weight she bears. She learned to encourage herself to the Lord for she doesn't want to add for her husband's heavy load. She knows the pastor's twenty-four-seven profession and she's always there to support, to encourage and to pray for him. She is not immune from hardship, failures and discouragement, but she learned to give it to the Lord. She sometimes cries the whole night through and pours all her troubles at her Saviors feet; for she knew - her strength and help comes only from above. She knew God will see her through.

She is her husband's soul mate and confidant. She knows well that her husband is not perfect. Pastor is just an ordinary man who has a willing heart to be used by God, given with a Divine Vocation. She needs to be strong in the Lord, to grow in wisdom and in the knowledge of Gods divine words for herself, her husband, her family and for the congregations.

But before she became a pastor's wife, she was first called to be a faithful servant of the Lord; to first be a child of God - having a right relationship with her Creator, to be lead by His Holy Spirit in every step she takes. Like every children of God, she wants to follow her FATHER's will. She longs to finish the race that God set before her and to hear her Savior's words, "Well done my good and faithful servant." - She is just an ordinary woman, a sinner saved by her Saviors Amazing Grace with a willingness to be use in God's Kingdom. - She is a Pastor's wife.

By Mhel P.

A Gentle Whisper

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, And after the fire came a gentle whisper." I Kings 19:11-12

God is not always in the loud and showy events of history. Yes, God had brought fire from the sky; He parted the sea and brought the storm to a halt. But, that is not the only way God works. Sometimes He is heard unexpectedly in the soft voice and subtle sounds of life. We must be willing to listen, intently.

In many areas of life, great victories are often followed by times of loneliness. Feeling depressed, discouraged, anxious, or feeling like "I've had enough," are not necessarily signs of spiritual relapse. Likewise, feeling good and being happy are not good measures of commitment to God. Often, these feelings are totally unrelated to our spiritual commitment. Sometimes it's due to individual personalities, physical fatigue, body chemistry, genetic makeup and other factors. They are simply the result of being human.

People committed to God are not immune to being human. Whether positive or negative, emotions are part of that humanity and are plugged into the biological and chemical parts of our bodies, which sometimes uncontrollable.

That is why using our human emotions as a yardstick for our spiritual condition is dangerous. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:8

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

He knows the intent of our heart. He hears our prayers and He is faithful to fulfill it according to His will.

"Be still and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10

He is devotedly waiting for you. In the stillness of the night where the clamor of worldly cares subsided and the cry of your emotions settled; after you have exhausted all your strength, when nothing left for you to do but to keep still, and humbly draw near to God who really cares for you, only then, you can know and hear His sweet voice.

Gratitude - What is it for me?

I believe it is the will of God for us to have life and have it more abundantly -and having a grateful heart has a lot to do with it.  

Gratitude is an emotion. It is not just saying thanks but it is a feeling; an expression.  Constantly set our self in a state of joy and thankfulness, develop the attitude of gratitude everyday and every moment of our life.  Study showed that people who were more grateful coped better with a life transition.

Gratitude helps our immune system. It has a tremendous positive ways in helping us with our stress. Grateful people tend to be more optimistic - a characteristic that researchers say boosts the immune system. They are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives.

"A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

Gratitude produces peace. "Exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayer, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." 1 Timothy 2:1-2

If our heart is full of gratitude, there's no room for resentment and jealousy. Our understanding will be broadened and we can see positive and brighter perspective in every situation. Gratitude helps us to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into our life and into the lives of all those around us.

Gratitude connects us to God from which all the blessings come. "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you..." James 4:8 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

Grateful mind continually finds and expects good things in every situation in life. ...And that expectation produces faith; and every expression of thanksgiving increases faith.

Gratitude for the believer of Holy Scriptures is the acknowledgement of the One True God who is The Creator and The Sustainer of all things. The Lord Jesus Christ's generosity and unselfish love inspire His faithful followers to shape their own thoughts and actions with His teachings and real life examples.

As the preacher said, "He who cannot express genuine gratitude is cutting themselves to the Source of all the blessings".

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name." Psalms 100:4

"But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:19

Expressing gratitude and appreciating life, not just for its abundance but even to its scarcity, is another way of opening our self up to accept more abundance and prosperity in our life. "His lord said unto him, well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25:21

Perhaps you always see this verse in most of my notes. But I, for sure, hold on to my Savior's promises. If we know and trust God that... "...all things works together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Then, for everything that happens to us, either wonderful or unpleasant, we can truly say... "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Thessalonians 5:18

By Mhel P.