Peace, Be Still

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

What do you do when the storms of life seem to be raging against you? One time Jesus was with His disciples in a boat out on the water when they encountered a great storm. The disciples were very afraid, but Jesus on the other hand, was fast asleep. When the disciples woke Him up to see if He could help them, Jesus got up and simply spoke to the storm, “Peace! Be still.” And the seas were calm again.

When difficult times come, you don’t have to be overwhelmed by the waves of worry or fear. Just as Jesus stood up and spoke to the storm, you have power in your words, too. As a believer, the Bible tells us that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you. That means God’s miracle-working power is on the inside of you. He’s given you His authority to declare peace over your home, over your mind, and over your family. Remember, no matter what storms may come against you, the Greater One lives on the inside of you, and He’ll empower you to live in victory in every area of your life! 

© Copyright 2008 Joel Osteen Ministries

A Journey to Beautiful Teeth

It’s been four months past since I had my dental braces. Uhhmm, wait, it’s not being vain. Let’s say, I just neglected these certain parts of the body that can actually be assets to be a good looking person. Hehehe. Way back February this year, I had a dental check-up that caused me actually to have two teeth extracted on a single day. Awww, that gross! Nevertheless, I guess, it was a good decision I had made. Is it? Since, I’ll be away to my dentist for about year, we have just decided to temporarily use retainers to hopefully fix the gap between two teeth and a misaligned tooth. But it did not do much help.

It am already here in China when I have decided to go for further Dental Check-up. The dentist advised me to better go for dental braces rather than using the retainers. With no further a do, I decided to have it. It was though during the first few weeks. It’s so painful and hard to eat. That I guess is the reason why I lost some weight.

Few weeks past. I made the decision to have another tooth extraction - this time, an impacted wisdom tooth. The dentist actually had a hard pulling out the tooth. Not exaggerate but she still needed to use a hammer! Yes, a hammer - with the loud pounding sound! Seemed like she was actually wrecking my whole head! Sigh! But anyway, the surgery was successful.

Now, I am half way to having beautiful set of teeth. Just a little more adjustment, and voila.. you gotta see those beautiful smiles! hahaha. I wish…. =D

Tonight’s Prayer

Lord, I come to you tonight with an open heart. I admit, I have sinned against you and my brother. I ask for your forgiveness. Lord, I know I’m being too much. But please give me another chance to prove that I can still change. Yes, Lord, I need you to change me. At times, I feel unworthy but still I know you care for me. Lord, I need You now. I need you in my life. I know that I would be nothing without You….

Tonight Lord, I lift up to you a person so dear to me. Lord, you know what’s going on in his life. Be the Captain in his life Lord. Lead him to the way that you want him to travel. Keep him away from any danger and temptations of this world. Father, You know the desires of his heart. Lord, I pray that You grant his desires in your own special way. I pray for more blessings in his life…

Lord, thank You for everything - this very breath that I have, I know it’s from You. Thank you! As I rest tonight, I pray that You give me peace of mind. Give me comfort and joy. Thank You. Love You, Lord. Amen!

My Mistake (again)!

I’m vulnerable. I am weak. I am easily swayed. But I know, it’s not an excuse for a mistake that should not been repeated over and over. It’s already stupidity. Does that mean then that I am stupid? Well, I guess so…

I thought I was that strong to be able to control myself. But (again) I failed. Untll when will I learn from that stupid mistake. Am I abusing his patience? Am I being too much?

I made a promise to myself and (even) God. But I have not fulfilled this promise.

Are there no more rooms for improvement? Should I just admit that I am a loser? Should I still believe myself that I can do better and be better? 

His Reply

I have just finished my blog entry “Letter to my Best Friend” when I received text messages. Whoa, it was my best friend. I had no idea whether he was actually able to feel my concern towards him that night. Perhaps, the letter that I wrote echoed to his senses and eventually remembered me at that very moment.

He was sorry for not replying and getting online for some reasons. I acted as if, I was not yet satisfied to his reasons. Stupid me. But as we exchanged messages, I learned and realized what he was going through. My bad for not being so understanding. We ended up the conversation with assurance that everything will gonna be alright. We just have to be strong and remain to be prayerful for each other. 

“Smile for me kuya, okay?”. That was his last message and I headed to my bed. Dozed off.

Letter to my Best Friend

Hi there!

Been a while since we really had a serious talk. I have been terribly missing you. I have no idea what’s going with you there. I have sent you some text messages today but I have not received any reply from you. I just asssumed you have been having busy times these days. 

You mentioned the other day that there’s a tension in your family. How is it this time? Are you guys able to handle situations now? I just hope and pray that everything will be alright.  (And likewise, for you to have your router back and be able to get online… =D)

Until when I have to wait to be able to receive a word from you? I hope it won’t be so long.. 

I miss you.. XO

Love, 

Kuya ^^

Logan, the Sky Angel Cowboy

The Human Condition: Quotations to stir heart and mind.

Compiled by Richard A. Kauffman

I HAVE DISCOVERED that all the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own chamber.Blaise Pascal, Pensées

IT IS NO EASY TASK to walk this earth and find peace. Inside of us, it would seem, something is at odds with the very rhythm of things and we are forever restless, dissatisfied, frustrated, and aching. We are so overcharged with desire that it is hard to come to simple rest. Desire is always stronger than satisfaction.
Ronald Rolheiser, The Holy Longing

ONE OF the uncomfortable facts about ourselves is that we all must live in a way that meets our own approval.
Paul Holmer, Making Christian Sense

DOES DISCOVERING who you are awaken a kind of inner unrest? … If you started accusing yourself of all that is in you, would your nights and days be long enough?
Brother Roger of Taizé, Essential Writings

A MAN’S AT ODDS to know his mind cause his mind is aught he has to know it with. He can know his heart, but he don’t want to. Best not to look in there.
Cormac Mccarthy, Blood Meridian

ONE OF the strangest things that people say is, “I’m a good person.” I am always amazed when people claim to know that about themselves. … History demonstrates, repeatedly, that if enough people begin to define themselves as “good” in contrast to others who are “bad,” those others come to be seen as less than human.
Kathleen Norris, Amazing Grace

THE POWER of temptation is not in its appeal to our baser instincts; if that were the case, it would be natural to be repulsed by it. The power of temptation is in its appeal to our idealism.
Helmut Thielicke, Our Heavenly Father

THE EVIL WROUGHT by those who intend evil is negligible. The greater evil is wrought by those who intend good, and are convinced they know how to bring it about; and the greater their power to bring it about, the greater the evil they achieve while trying to do it.
Allen Wheelis, The Way We Are

TO TRIUMPH FULLY evil needs two victories, not one. The first victory happens when an evil deed is perpetrated; the second victory, when evil is returned. After the first victory, evil would die if the second victory did not infuse it with new life.
Miroslav Volf, The End of Memory

PERFECT LOVE may cast out fear, but fear is remarkably potent in casting out love.
P. D. James, Time to Be in Earnest

SATAN DOES NOT here fill us with hatred of God, but with forgetfulness of God.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Creation and Fall/Temptation

Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today