Ask, Seek and Knock

The past few days and months have been very quiet in my blogging activity except for some giveaways here and there and the usual blog posts I do in a regular basis. However, the assignments that usually line up for few days in my list of things to do before are now becoming less frequent.

I read the verse in the bible that says "Luke 11:10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." And so I did.

I asked God for more blogging opportunities to come. I sought for His grace and I searched for bloggers who are in need of ghost writers and then, I knocked on His door for blessings and graces. I only ask of these things because blogging is one way of keeping me grounded. Aside from the passion I have for writing and blasting away these thoughts, I get to earn from the thing that I love to do.

And so, Sunday rolled by with much blessings because God has opened the doors of opportunities for me. What used to trickle like a mist on a leaf has become a rain of blessings in the forest. For that, I am very grateful.

Thank you Lord. You really know what I need. I pray that this continues so I can help others as well.

Giving Thanks Today

Photo credit: yahoo.com

It's so nice to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and relaxed after a long and taxing work week. And what's so great about this morning is that I thank God for another day, for the beautiful weather, for the family beside me, for a quirky little pooch sleeping on the foot of the bed, for the cozy bed, for the home, for the food on the table, for the warm clothing and there are just too many to be thankful for. 

I don't have to wait for Thanksgiving to appreciate everything around me for today is another day and I shall live it to the fullest!

Happy Friday everyone! Be thankful for your blessings!

Book Review - Jesus, My Father, the CIA and Me by Ian Morgan Cron

The title of the book is very captivating. So, I ordered a paper-back copy of this wonderful book of and I am amazed by how beautiful and effortlessly funny the author delivered his story from the eyes of a young boy until his adult years. 

The author’s rendition of his life with an alcoholic father and the discoveries he had about him and his very own spirituality is very poignant. I was deeply moved by the drama of his life that I felt his sadness when he related his yearning for his father’s affection and approval. I felt his confusion about the emotional detachment he got from his own father and for a young boy. That was a breaking point in his growing years. I cried with him in all his miseries and emotional turmoil only to know that in the end, he never knew how his father felt about him. I was moved by how his relationship with Christ went to oblivion because of his own fears and hurts. And I am elated to know that in the end, his life came in full circle – filling the huge gap in his heart with the love of Christ.

Ian has captured my heart with his honest and vulnerable emotions coping with an alcoholic father and fighting his own destructive self. I like how he puts his feelings in every word written on this book to share to his readers. I definitely recommend this to everyone. It is a great enlightenment to one’s inner spirituality and beliefs.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: A Conversation with God

A Conversation with God

If You Could Ask God Any Question, What Would It Be?

by Alton Gansky

I received this complimentary book from Thomas Nelson publication, courtesy of Booksneeze.com. My head was brimming with questions and if I would find the answers in the book. I had to find that out.

This is a question and answer book about the many aspects of one's spirituality and God. It dabbles on God, the bible, the future, our pain and sufferings, Jesus, the Kingdom of God, heaven and hell, humanity, Christian living and the world as we know in the present times.

The questions asked in the book are quite common. I am sure that some of you may have questions which you never dare to ask your priest nor minister but if you get a hold of this book, you may just find the answers to your questions. I, at one point, have even encountered some of them but never quite knew the answers. So, this book presented me with possible answers which I thought I would never come to know. Sample of questions in the book which gave light to my curiosity are:

* God, who are You? What are You?
* Are we living in the end times now?
* Why are some people rich and others poor?
* God, do you truly care for everyone?
* Why does sin still plague us?

The "conversations" in the book is like having a nice chit-chat with God over a cup of coffee as "He" answers our questions in the context of the scripture. It is like when you pray in silence and you hear Him speak to you only this time, you read them.

The author, Mr. Alton Gansky, has succeeded on his undertaking to "not confine" this wonderful book for the enjoyment of theologians but even for the common Joe and Jane. Each chapters were designed to be short so readers can read as many or as few as he/she wants in single seating. Also, the author ensured that proper scriptural reference is noted at the back of the book to allow readers to check out the Bible verses on their own.

The book is printed in high-quality and glossy paper and has 304 pages in total. I consider this book as revealing and yet gives you something to reflect on regardless of your spiritual orientation. I really enjoyed reading this book.

The book can be read in any order unlike other typical books where you have to start from the cover up to the very end. I like it that the author presented the book in that manner so when you have a nagging curiosity to check out the other chapters of the book, you may do so without feeling the guilt of jumping conclusions because there are none. The only conclusion in this book is that when you "ask, it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

Mid-Life Crisis and Me

I don't know why but I have this weird feeling down my gut (nope, not abdominal gas or tummy ache nor diarrhoea) that I am experiencing mid-life crisis.

I have heard this cliche and have witnessed people close to me go through this crisis. My mom, for one, went through it. So, it leaves me wondering, what is mid-life crisis anyway?

Mid-life crisis is like an emotional transition experienced by people from 40 and 60. It is that phase where people begin to take stock of their lives and question their worth and purpose. It is that time of their lives where they make adjustments to get certain fulfillment in life and purpose.

Carl Jung, the psychologist who identified this phase said that it is a normal event in a person's maturing process.

This mid-life crisis is very awkward for me. Not that I am acknowledging its presence in my life at the moment, I cannot deny the fact that I am becoming a textbook example of a person going through it. It is not easy. I have so many questions I never thought I would ask myself while I was younger. I am only few years shy of turning 40 but these thoughts in my head about what I want and where I want to be in the future are mind boggling. I still do not have the answers and do not know when and where I will find them. All I know is that, I have this doubt, fear and certain battle within me to find the real essence of my life. It is so profound and I know it also involves my spirituality.

I hope to get over this phase, if ever I am really experiencing it or my hormones are just playing tricks on me. Whatever the case may be, I shall draw my strength from my God. I know this will pass and I hope I get through this with stronger faith and belief that my Lord will see me through.

My Spiritual Wealth

I have always believed that no material possessions I have here on earth can ever save me. I try my level best to live by that rule. I am not a goody-goody Miss Two Shoes kind of person but I try so hard not to cause any harm to others nor bad-mouth someone nor think ill thoughts. I just want to do and say the right things as far as my faith and belief are concerned. I would like to face my God during the last days of my life with a clean heart and conscience.

The tenets of my spiritual wealth includes prayers and doing good deeds to others. These are the kind of wealth which cannot be measured in terms of monetary value. It is not a simple task because I face different people with varying personalities and beliefs as mine. Most often, other's ways and habits contradict my views but I practice tolerance and respect as long as they do not question my faith. Sometimes, these people will test your patience but I just accept them as they are and pray that we gracefully accept whatever differences we have.

The worldly possessions I have here are just physical manifestations of the great blessings I receive. As my act of gratitude, I believe in the word of God and the Bible Prophecy. I digest His words like my daily bread and spread the word thru good deeds. I would like my Lord to be proud of me and when End Times come, I am ready to walk in His kingdom with all my spiritual wealth.

Not Going

I have been planning for another trip to the US since last November 2009. Due to unforeseen events, I had to cancel the trip for the last quarter of 2009. Come January, 2010, we planned to travel on the 2nd week of the same month but my passport got wet so we had to postpone to a later date until I get my new passport. Now that I have my new passport and ready to go next week, my relatives in the US requested if we could postpone it again to a later date because they are going through rough times in their personal lives.

So there, I am taking heed of the signs. This is the 3rd time my US trip got cancelled and that is it. I am not going there for the meantime.

I just hope everything goes well with my relatives there.

The LORD does speak to me in many ways and various forms. I shall listen.

Zapped to Life

I have never seen a medic using an AED in real life. I see this machine in action only in movies and TV shows. Deep inside, I would really not like to see one being used in real life because that would mean a person is down and is being zapped to life. That is quite a traumatic sight to see. I think it will leave a stigma to me for the rest of my life.

That must be one of the reasons I did not pursue medicine. I don't think I can see life and death in a more scientific way. These two will always have a spiritual meaning to me.

Catching Up

I am back but taking things easy and slowly this time as I have a lot of catching up to do. I didn't realize the amount of tags and awards I need to do and post; not to mention the other articles I have set aside to post eventually at a later date. They need updating of course.

How was everyone's Christmas? I hope it was spent meaningfully with the people who matters most. My family had a great time and I was glad I took the trip. I was adamant of going because of financial reasons. I felt it was too "inconsiderate" thinking how the world was suffering from economic crisis and there I was - traveling. Then again, I didn't travel for the sake of satisfying my travel bug sickness but I had to spend my Christmas with my mom and siblings and in-laws too.

Well, the New Year will be a different matter. I dare not talk about it ;) I just pray and hope that good things will come despite the rise of job cuts, the crazy increase in credit card interest rates (which reminds me that I need to discard mine before I fall into a bottomless pit!), the uncertainties looming around us. I always believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel might be long and winding but it will reach its end. Let's just have faith and rely on our family and friends for support in this time of need.

I wish you all a very peaceful and prosperous 2009. Prosperity might not come in riches but the blessings that we still have food on our table, a roof over our heads, clothes to keep us warm and a job to sustain our living. Let's all believe. We will all pass this storm unscathed but with more steadfast faith in Him.

Happy New Year everyone.