Dusting My Art Box

After so many years, I found myself dusting my art box and gazing at my painting brushes again. I am a self-thought artist, and still learning. It's been a decade since my last work of art. I used to paint till' my youngest son attended preschool. Then, I started working and found myself in a rat race. Since then, I've been juggling my time and choose to put my love of painting in the box.

I confessed, I have a tendency to be fully immersed on what I'm doing, and a bit guilty of depriving time and attention from those I love, just to spend it to what I like. I easily get carried away and lose tract of time while painting. Seemed like I was in a different world just by myself and with what I am creating. I appreciate my husband and my children for their encouragement and support. Thank God, after all those years, art is still in my heart - and though my hand is not as steady as before, it can still coordinate with my mind.

Our expressive abilities affect the brain itself. Good ideas and creativity is like recreation of our mind. It is also good for our spirit. God is a Creative God - and we are formed in His likeness. Of all God's creations, we are privileged to make and enjoy art. It is in our soul to also create things, beautiful things of which we can say, "It is good."

However, like all other gifts given to us by God, it may be misused. Everything that we love or exalt more than God became our idol.

We should always check our self and always remember to put God first in our life. " Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Deuteronomy 6:5


"… whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

By Mhel P.

People Who Affected Our Life.

Aside from our family, God send people or allow them to come into our life either for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
"But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus." 2 Corinthians 7:6

Some were sent to us by God for a reason to help us, or for us to help them because support and guidance -spiritually, emotionally, or physically were needed by either them or us on that given time. Then, for some unexpected reason, they walked out of our life and faded into mystery.

Some allowed by God to come into our life for a season. They only came based on their planned agendas and their own intention. Maybe we need to share with them on growing and maturing in life. If things are good and in their favor, they may bring us peace or make us laugh. If the situation deals with changes, and stepping outside of comfort zones, they cut loose. In an inconvenient time, they walk away, uncaring and unwilling.
"For Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me (Paul) and has gone to Thessalonica…." 2 Tim 4:10
"But Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work." Acts 15:38

People come and go, and we know majority of them are just provisional people in our life. The happiness or pain they had caused enriched our character and compelled us to evaluate our life and helped us to know our self-better. If the experience brought pain, it is then in our own discretion to become bitter, or to use our experience to improve our self and become a better person. However, no matter who they were, what affects they had contributed - it might be significant or insignificant part in our life, we surely learned something from them. Consciously or unconsciously, they made us feel and think.

But God has given all of us special people to be with for a lifetime. At first, they are hard to recognize. But through the test of times, they can be revealed. They are willing to support us unreservedly. They can make us smile or sometimes make us cry. With them our life seems complete. They take us as we are, and willing to go with us through thick and thin because they believe in us. In the moment of trials, they support and help us, and they can draw strength from us as well. "A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." Proverbs 17:17
They walked with us through the changes of the seasons. Though we are far away from them, the connections are still strong. "And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself." 1 Samuel 18:3
The unconditional love of God binds them to us through lifetime. They are great influence that shapes our life. We call them our true friends!

By Mhel P.

Keep On Singing!

Did you take time to listen to ocean waves as it hit the rocks or even as it touches the shore; the ensemble of rain and thunder; the sounds of rushing river and water falls, or the breeze as it caresses the leaves and swifts through the intricate branches of trees? Music of nature…so refreshing! God has created humanity with an inborn connection to music and singing, especially in regard to worship.

Why people sing? People sing because talking can't convey the deep emotions they feel and experience. People sing about the things that capture their hearts and things that give them joy. It is their way to express their happiness, love, or even pain and sorrow.
Singing enhances your well-being; it relaxes you and reduces your feelings of pain. It also brings physical benefits. It is good for the brain, increased immunity and greater oxygenation of the blood. It improved lung capacity, decreased blood pressure, reduced stress and even prolongs your life.

Singing is not just for those who have good voices. It is our heart's deep expression. When our heart is brimming with joy and mere talking doesn’t work - we sing!

Are you a sinner saved by God's amazing grace? Did our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ turn your sorrow into joy? Did He answer your prayer? Do you have love and peace that no one in this world can give? Then you have more reasons to sing! You really should sing more. You should sing more worship songs not just in the church. You should sing in your car, while working in the yard, and in your home. And when you sing, you should do so with more than lungs and lips. You should sing with your heart, mind, and soul - because singing is one of the highest expressions of joy.

What does it sounds like when God sings over you? God created the universe with a spoken word – just a spoken word. Imagine what happens when He sings! "He will exult over you with loud singing." Zephaniah 3:17

As we trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, as He finds us faithful in the storms of life; ...He will exult (rejoice exceeding) over you with loud singing!

No matter what you feel, no matter where you are and what kind of situation you are in…Keep on singing! "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart," Ephesians 5:19

"I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 89:1


By Mhel P.

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