Faith 25 Powerful Declarations To Shape Your Day & Change Your Life 6:07 AM Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day. -Jim Rohn Words are powerful. It's amazing how simple words spoken even to inanimate objects can make phenomenal changes. Here are 25 powerful declarations that will shape your day and ultimately change your life: 25 Powerful Declarations That Will Shape Your Day And Ultimately Change Your Life 1. I am capable and able. I am equipped. 2. Everything I need comes to me. 3. The universe connives to give me what I need. 4. I choose to forgive. 5. I choose to believe in miracles. 6. I choose to be part of the solution, not of the problem. So today I will stop complaining and start acting. 7. I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). 8. I am not here by accident. I am here for a purpose. I have a destiny. 9. I count. I matter. 10. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). 11. I can get out of this mess and make it right. 12. Today, I choose to be happy. 13. Today, I choose abundance. 14. Everything I touch prospers; my relationships, my investments, my projects, my businesses, my job. 15. The right circumstances and opportunities will come, the right people will walk into my life. 16. I am highly favored. 17. My investments will grow exponentially, so I can retire young and rich. 18. Today, I choose to be healthy. 19. Today, I choose to be kind to myself. 20. I love AND like myself. 21. Things may not go my way, but everything happens for a reason and for a greater purpose. 22. If it's not for me, it's for the best. 23. In all things God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). 24. I will never stop learning and growing. 25. It can only get better. Whatever you believe in and whatever you want to happen, let the universe know. Declare it. May these 25 powerful declarations shape your day and change your life.
Faith Why People Turn Their Backs From Faith 1:59 AM Don't try to change people; Love them so that they will learn to love themselves---and desire to change. -Bo Sanchez I thought about why people turn their backs not only from religion but from faith altogether. I don’t have to look far. I too went hiatus from the church for a while. After going to Catholic schools from kindergarten to college, I started questioning my faith. Why pray the rosary? Why ask for the saints’ intercessions? Why adore Mary? Why confess my sins to a priest? A lot of things happened, and fast forward to today, I have recovered my faith. I can understand the doubters. Why People Turn Their Backs From Faith 1. They’ve tried and tried searching for answers but, they didn’t get any. 2. They’ve tried and tried searching for answers, and they met people who have already given up, making it easier for them to relate with. 3. They’ve tried and tried searching for answers but, the answers they found confused them all the more. 4. They are the “to see is to believe” kind of people. Often, they want scientific proof, solid evidence and facts. 5. They grew up in an environment where faith is not that important. 6. They admire people, who are incidentally non-believers. 7. They’ve been through enough pain and suffering that made it hard for them to believe the existence of a merciful God. 8. They only see suffering and chaos. They can’t see the blessing anymore. 9. They don’t know enough good people that will restore their faith in humanity. 10. The world has been cruel to them (like it’s not cruel to all of us). 11. They think it’s pointless to put your faith on something that’s not proven. 12. They hear stories, experience and meet religious folks who show them the exact opposite of what’s being taught/preached. 13. They’re too proud to admit that someone is bigger than them. 14. They know too much they rely on themselves alone. We can’t change them. We can only show them the light or confuse them even more by the way we live. As one priest often say after celebrating the mass, “You may be the only Gospel that someone will read today. Be Good News.” Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Faith Today, I Choose 6:37 AM Our life is the sum total of the choices we make. Today, I Choose Today, I choose to be happy, with what I have, wherever I am. Today, I choose to be productive. Today is not the day I set aside the things I need to do. Today, I choose to forgive the people who hurt me. But more than that, I choose to forgive myself for giving them the power to do so. Today, I choose to move on, to look forward to tomorrow, to remember the past but not be affected by it. Today, I choose to dream again, to build new dreams, and to believe that anything is possible. Today, I choose to look at the goodness in me, and see the good in others, too. Today, I choose to embrace my imperfections, and see beyond my faults. Today, I choose to believe in miracles. Today, I choose to open myself to endless possibilities, and shower of blessings from above. Today, I choose to dance in the rain. Today, I choose to be a victor, and refuse to be a victim. Today, I choose to love, even the most difficult person in my life. Today, I choose to look at things from a new perspective and believe that I will see something I've missed before. Today, I choose to face the unknown with boldness. What's there to be afraid of anyway? Today, I choose to be in control. Today, I choose to live. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Faith 16 Reasons Why The Feast Is The Coolest Place To Recover Your Faith 12:55 AM Are you a doubter? Agnostic? Atheist? An addict? Do you consider yourself immoral? A hypocrite? A failure?Are you lost? Angry? Broke? Rejected? Do you feel worthless? Irrelevant? Are you living a directionless life? The Feast is the place for you. What is The Feast?The Feast is a weekly gathering of the Light of Jesus Family founded by best-selling author, entrepreneur, Catholic lay preacher, and minister Bo Sanchez.The Feast is making waves worldwide because it has radically changed how people recover their faith. What religion is The Feast?The Feast practices the Catholic faith but welcomes everyone from all religious backgrounds. They usually have a Catholic mass before the worship and talk begin.What is the Feast Light?The Feast Light is a light group or caring group where friends gather to receive spiritual nourishment from the series of talks recorded by a live audience at The Feast. 16 Reasons Why The Feast is the Coolest Placeto Recover Your Faith 1. The Feast doesn't require you to register. There's no strict dress code to follow. You're welcome to come as you are, flaws and all. 2. The Feast is a place for sinners, cynics, hypocrites, and the broken who seeks healing. 3. The Feast does not condone sin and does not judge the sinner. "Hate the sin, love the sinner" is very evident here. 4. The Feast teaches that God does not call the qualified. He qualifies for the call. Everyone is called to serve, no matter how inadequate you feel. 5. The Feast is about receiving and giving love, not imposing rules. 6. The Feast believes in your dreams and gives you the gumption to believe in them too. Thus helping you make your dreams come true.Getyarn 7. The Feast is not about a stern, judgmental sadistic God who sits on His throne all day and waits for you to make a mistake so he can punish you.The Feast introduces you to a loving, merciful Father who looks at you with adoring eyes. Laughs at your boo-boos. Beams with pride in your victories. Cries with you in your grief. Holds your hands in your loneliest. And loves you unconditionally. 8. The Feast is not about memorizing the Scriptures or doctrines but about living out The Word. It is about applying what The Word says into our practical lives; handling money, caring for our health, cherishing and building relationships, and valuable everyday tips for living a better life. 9. The Feast teaches you to find God in the secular and to bring your faith outside the church. Because The Feast believes in bringing Christ to people and not in waiting for the people to come to Christ. 10. The Feast teaches you to love and enjoy where you are right now while striving to become the better version of yourself. 11. The Feast gives you rest from the stressful world by making you laugh and feeding you with nothing but positive energy, delivered by world-class motivational speakers who provide powerful and inspirational talks. You'll hear music from bands that rock. You'll feel welcome and get quality service from the servants. Worth your time!Gfycat 12. The Feast is a place for people who are continuously learning and growing. 13. The Feast gives you hope and allows you to discover and rediscover yourself. You can build new dreams and revive your old and dead dreams without criticism and judgment. 14. The Feast is a beam of light for those in the dark, a compass for the lost, and water for the parched soul. The Feast is not the way, but it paves the path that leads you to The Only Way. 15. The Feast is like a hospital where the sick and the dying receive healing and alleviation because it centers on The Eternal Healer and The Doctor of All. 16. The Feast is a service center where you bring your broken and damaged self so your Manufacturer and Creator can fix you and make you brand new. See you there! Photo credit: Google images
Faith Encounters With The Devil 12:04 AM Encounters With The Devil Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. -1 Peter 5:8 I don't often share my encounters with the devil. I don't think people believe in such things anymore. People have nightmares. They dream about being chased, drowning, getting stuck, or falling. I don't know if I can call my encounters nightmares because they usually happen when I'm half awake. Sharing my encounters with the devil here: First encounter with the devil The first encounter was too long ago; I couldn't remember when it happened exactly. It was after I read the illustrated Children's Bible. I went to a Catholic school from kindergarten to college. But I remember that while reading the children's Bible, I was saying, "Ah, so that's what happened?" It was so long ago I really can't remember what it was. Then I fell asleep. Or was about to when I felt a presence standing beside my bed, scolding me. It (not sure if it's a he or a she) was so furious, shouting and reprimanding. It said, "Why did you read the Bible?! You shouldn't have read it! Now, you know!" I was taunting it. "Now I know. You're a loser." It was a long conversation. The entity told me off, and I told him he was losing. All the while, I was trying to turn to take a look at this "thing" I was talking to. But I couldn't, just like having a nightmare. I felt paralyzed. I was trying to open my eyes, and I could somehow see my feet, my sister's feet, and the shelves on the wall, but I couldn't open them fully. It was heavy. But I was not giving up on this verbal combat. Because I knew I was on the winning team. Then I felt its presence "dissolve" (it sure felt that way). I woke up exhausted. I told my sister, with whom I was sharing a bed then, about the encounter. After a few days, when she was about to say her early morning prayer, a visitor intervened. The visitor was not mad at her, though. In fact, it was bribing her. It told her, "Bow down to me, and I'll give you your heart's desires." That's what it told Jesus during the temptation, right? It didn't work. Both encounters happened when we were not fully asleep. Me, drifting off. Her, waking up. Second encounter with the enemy Second encounter. I was in our dorm. At that time, I was emotionally on a roller coaster. I literally didn't laugh or smile for one whole week. I was weak. This time, I was sleeping but felt a pain in my chest. It must be the result of not laughing for a week. But it felt like someone was gripping my heart. The pain woke me up, but again, not entirely. I knew I was on my bed, but that's all. Muscles paralyzed. My heart literally aching. I felt someone saying, "Your heart is mine now." Again, the fighter in me rose. In my head, I was shouting, "You will never, never have my heart! It belongs to Jesus." Of course, it felt like lying then. I can't remember praying for days. I was spiritually parched. But there's power in the name of Jesus. Slowly, I was able to open my eyes. Slowly, I felt the presence at my bedside backed off. And I decided to be happy again. I didn't want darkness to enslave me and something to claim ownership of my heart again. Third encounter with the devilThe third encounter happened just recently. Right after watching Heaven Is For Real. Such impeccable timing, if you'd ask me, like the first encounter. After crying my eyes out and watching the movie, I slept peacefully. That is until I felt a chill (imagine Harry Potter sensing the presence of a Dementor). I thought I was awake, but maybe I wasn't. Nightmare? Maybe. It always felt that way. Only that, you're aware of a presence, you can't move, so try as you may to turn around and look at the invader, you can't. This is a recent encounter, but I couldn't remember what it told me. I just remember it was something stupid. Maybe a threat. Perhaps it was taunting. I remember sitting on the chair beside my bed and feeling its stare. Angry stare. I'm not easily intimidated, though. Yes, I was terrified, I won't lie. But I have Back Up. At first, my prayer didn't work. The invader just laughed. I realized it didn't come from the heart. Then I made it personal. I felt revived. I was telling it to back off. To stop whatever it is it's trying to do to me. To quit it because it's already lost, to begin with. Again, I won the verbal combat. Again, I woke up drained. Like, I ran 100 miles or something. I know the battle is not yet over. The enemy is gaining strength. Many believers are giving up their faith. I stumble and fall to sin all the time. I found this Tony Evans sermon powerful and helpful when faced with the enemy. We have authority over them.But we're not alone. We have an army and a sturdy Back Up who will fight alongside us. A mother whom the enemy fears, a battalion of angels ready for war, and a Champion for a God. That's enough reason to never back down when the enemy attacks.Have you ever encountered the devil in your sleep?
Faith Goals for This Holy Week's Fasting 8:47 PM The purpose of fasting is to be closer to God. What are your goals for this Holy Week’s fasting and prayer? I’m not a meat person, but definitely a dessert person. So I’m fasting on sweets and desserts this Holy Week. I’m constantly craving for sugary food. Now I have to discipline myself. I can’t totally abandon Facebook for 40days like I used to; mainly because I manage my and my client's Facebook page.. So I’m only reducing my time online to 1 hour a day or lesser. That may sound like nothing, but for someone like me, that’s a lot. Why do I need to fast anyway? Because it’s the trend? I’m the one person who does not follow the trend unless I like it. I was raised a Catholic. It’s not like it was forced down my throat though. I’ve had my share of struggles with my faith. I did pass through the stage of doubt and confusion. I did went hiatus from the church (a year of drought, believe you me). I stopped praying to saints and even Mother Mary. I think every Catholic (or any faithful) went through the same struggle. When I was at my lowest, I just held my rosary, and would wake up feeling a little better. Shame on me for doubting Mary’s powerful motherly love and comfort. I didn't just hear or read about it, I’ve experienced it firsthand. She was there when I was pushing her Son away. How can I run away when she never let go of my hand? This Lent, I am reminded of what to focus on. What are my goals and dreams? I have them written down, but I let myself get distracted. This Holy Week, the first reflection is to focus on my goals. What do I live for? What do I want to accomplish before I die? What do I want to pray for? What will I fast for? The purpose of fasting is to be closer to God. If you fast and nothing’s changed inside you, you’re doing it wrong. Fasting is not just starving your body, but making your soul hungry for God. Fasting is not so people will praise you for being righteous and religious. It’s building a strong bond between you and your God. Fasting starves you physically so you empty yourself from things that normally preoccupies you, and lets yourself hunger for the significant things. This is the perfect time to refocus on what matters most. If God can sacrifice His life for me, a little sugar and Facebook time won’t hurt. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Faith A Poem About Waiting 1:07 AM And though oft My answers seem terribly late, My most precious answer of all is still...Wait. This poem was written by Russell Kelfer intended for a woman wanting to have a baby. But if you've been waiting, asking and hoping for something or someone, this poem will also speak to you. A Poem About Waiting Wait Russell Kelfer Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried; Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied. I plead and I wept for a clue to my fate . . . And the Master so gently said, "Wait." "Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word. "My future and all to which I relate Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait? I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign, Or even a 'no' to which I can resign. "You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe, We need but to ask, and we shall receive. And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry: I'm weary of asking! I need a reply." Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate, As my Master replied again, "Wait." So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut, And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?" He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . . and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign. I could shake the heavens and darken the sun. I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run. "I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.You'd not know the power that I give to the faint. "You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair; You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there. You'd not know the joy of resting in Me When darkness and silence are all you can see. "You'd never experience the fullness of love When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove. You would know that I give, and I save, for a start, But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart. "The glow of my comfort late into the night, The faith that I give when you walk without sight. The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask From an infinite God who makes what you have last. "You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee. Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true, But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you. "So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see That the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me. And though oft My answers seem terribly late, My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait." Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Faith The 7 Fruits of Suffering 9:06 AM Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. -Proverbs 20:30 The Seven Fruits of Suffering shared by Bo Sanchez on yesterday's Talk 2: Why Am I Suffering? From the series Your Toughest Questions Answered. The Seven Fruits of Suffering 1. Hunger. "The enemy of great success is small success." Success causes you to slow down, demotivate you and makes you content. You will no longer aim for a better life if you're comfortable living your good life. Suffering makes you hungry again, motivates you and propels you to greater success. 2. Harvest. When we suffer, we must pull away or walk away from our "bullies"; toxic people, stressful career, self-inflicted problems or bad habits or addictions that are affecting our lives so we can have a momentum. The greater the hunger, the greater the harvest. 3. Humility. There are two teachers in life---Teacher Trial and Teacher Triumph. Both are great teachers but Teacher Trial is more effective. When you suffer from trials you become teachable. Triumph makes you proud and so you're not open to what life teaches you. You learn more when you suffer because you're humble enough to accept the lessons that life presents. 4. Hardiness. You become more enduring and tougher when you suffer. There's a direct connection between the size of your comfort zone and the size of your success. The bigger your comfort zone the more successful you are, because you'll stretch out more to make your comfort zone wider. 5. Healing. You get wounds when you suffer, and these wounds turn into scars in time. Your scars can inspire others who are in the same situation that you used to be in. You become a wounded healer. 6. Holiness. There are times when there's nothing left for you to do but pray, even when you don't feel like praying. Personally, I'm glad we Catholics have memorized prayers. It came to a point when I don't know what to pray for anymore. I was all prayed up, I said. That's when I learned to appreciate the power of memorized prayers. It's an instant relief when you don't know what to do anymore. Suffering pushes you to converse more often with God. 7. Heaven. In all your sufferings on earth, you'll realize that your real happiness will only be in heaven. "Tough times don't last but tough people do." You will outlive all your problems. God is not a sadistic selfish God who sits on His throne and takes delight when He sees His people suffer. Our faith tells us that everything is part of His divine plan. All things are intended for our good. Let's focus on the prize and not on the obstacles. We all suffered (or are still suffering) at some point. The important thing to remember is not why we suffer but what we get after we suffer; what the fruit of our suffering will be. The big message: The greater the pull back, the greater the come back. If life is pulling you back and you feel like time is standing still, nothing is happening and your suffering seems endless, it just means that life is preparing you for a great come back. If God brought us to it, He will bring us through it. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Faith I'm Singing In The Rain 11:14 PM You can sing "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down" or "I'm singing in the rain". I was complaining about the rain this morning when I realized there's so much to thank for. The glass is not only half empty. It's also half full. I love the tapping sound of rain on the rooftop. I love it that due to this rain, the temperature in our country dropped. For a change. I love that the other day I got stranded inside a bookstore and ended up buying a great book. I love how the sound of the rain calms me down. Two words: Bed weather. These simple things remind me of the great blessings I have. That I have roof over my head, that I can sleep better, that I'd get to read another chick lit with the sound of rain in the background. You can sulk or you can sing. As for me, I'm singing in the rain. Dancing too. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Faith Like An Arrow 1:31 PM Like an arrow pulled back ready to be launched forward, our problems are there not to hold us back for long but to prepare us to move forward in order to reach our target. That was yesterday's message at the Feast. Oftentimes, we get discouraged because of the pain we feel every time a trial stops us from reaching our goals. What we don't realize is that it's just temporary. Like an arrow pulled back by the archer to ready it for the target, we are being prepared for something greater, something better. Our Archer is preparing us to be launched, to soar high, until finally we hit that which we are aiming for. For His glory. Let us not be discouraged. Prepare to fly! Linked to:
Faith A Time For Everything 8:07 AM Take your time in all your seasons, and learn to respect other people's time as well. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. -Ecclesiastes 3
Faith Scriptures About Money 10:31 AM God knows we are creatures who have practical needs. He honors that need. -Bo Sanchez What does the scripture say about money? There are 2,350 verses in The Scriptures about money. That's more than the verses about heaven and hell put together. The Bible contains our basic instructions before leaving Earth. Every practical advice we need is written in the Scriptures. Money is not an exception. What does this mean? That God knows we are creatures who have earthly needs. When we're hungry, He knows we can't just pray for it to go away. We need to fill our stomach with food. God doesn't ignore or shy away with the idea of money and wealth. What does God want us to know about and put into practice when it comes to money? Scriptures about Money For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. -Timothy 6:10 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. -Proverbs 22:7 Go to the ant, sluggard; consider her ways and be wise; who having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provides her food in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest. -Proverbs 6:6-8 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. -1 Corinthians 16:2 You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning. -Leviticus 19:13 (I wish our management is aware of this verse) Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. -Proverbs 10:4 Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it. -Proverbs 13:11 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” -Malachi 3:10 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat. -Proverbs 13:4 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way... Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked. -Psalms 37:7,16 Now my advice to you is to use 'money', tainted as it is, to make yourselves friends, so that when it comes to an end, they may welcome you into the houses of eternity. The man who is faithful in the little things will be faithful in the big things. So that if you are not fit to be trusted to deal with the wicked wealth of this world, who will trust you with true riches? -Luke 16:9-11 So you see, money per se is not evil. It is the love of money that drives people to do selfish and evil deeds. Money is a tool and a good servant. But if you're not careful, money becomes a sadistic master. Money has no brains. It can't think for itself. But you can. Don't let money govern your life and be your ruin. Let these scriptures about money guide you to the path of prosperity. After all, Jesus came that you may have life, and may have it abundantly. (John 10:10) See also: What Money Can't Buy The True Millionaire's Prayer
Faith I Pray 11:05 PM Dear God, Today I pray, that You fill the huge space in my heart. Lord, it's too big for shallow things to fill. I pray that You will help me feel Your presence at times like these; when I feel alone, down and empty. I try so hard to see and feel You but my vision is blurred and my heart numbed. It's taking all my strength and faith to remember that You are here, even if I can't feel You at all. I pray that You surround me with the warmth of Your love. I pray You heal the wounds invisible to the human eye. There are wounds so deep it's been here for years but haven't healed completely. Some of them caused by Your other children, mostly I've inflicted on myself. I pray that You help me stop the pain they bring. Deep wounds, shallow wounds, bruises and scratches; I pray that You wash them with Your most precious blood and heal me. I pray that You make me new again. I pray that You remind me how beautiful I am, because I am made in your image and likeness. I pray that You remind me how precious I am because You Yourself knit me together in my mother's womb. You know when I sit and stand. You etched my name in Your palm. I am worth more than many sparrows. You think of me every minute, every day. I pray that You make me whole again no matter how broken I am right now. I pray that You use me and my brokenness to bring light to those who are also in darkness. I pray that You turn my trials into testimonies, my mess into Your message. I pray that You wont let go of me, no matter how close I am to giving up. I pray that You wash away all my tears and help me see the beauty of life again. I pray for miracles. Make me believe in miracles again. I pray for a heart longing for You, knowing You're all that I need; mouth never ashamed to give praise and hands reaching out to others readily. I pray that I'll forget about me and make everything about You. I pray that You make me like a child again. I pray with desperation and hunger in my soul. I pray, placing all my hope and faith in You. In Jesus' name. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Faith Zombies and Peter Pan 7:20 AM I had a very uneasy sleep last night. I was tossing and turning for hours and when sleep finally came, I had the silliest nightmare. I was being chased by monsters; vampires, zombies and Dracula himself. He didn't look like he does in movies but in my dream I knew it was him. He awoke right there in front of me while I was stuck in a very steep exit. It was chaotic. Suddenly I was in the middle of nowhere. Then a familiar place. Then in a forest. Funny thing is that in some scenes, I was surrounded by people I have known since time immemorial and they were not bothered that we were walking among these scary and angry monsters. They act as if it's normal. I was scared to death and one friend of mine told me to go and drink coffee (because my body has idiosyncratic reaction with caffeine) so I can sleep because I looked really exhausted. I realized, these monsters exist because I believed in them. I created them in my head. The weaker I get, the stronger they become. They feed on my negative emotions and thoughts. That night I remembered sleeping with a hateful heart. The negativity appeared to me in my nightmare--- as bloodsuckers and brain-eaters! When I realized that this horror movie was only happening in my head and only because I allowed it to, a childish idea came to me. Childish because I got this from Peter Pan. I went in the middle of the forest where my friends and those monsters were, surprisingly acting like nothing's wrong with the picture, and I screamed at the top of my lungs, "I don't believe in vampires, Dracula and zombies!" over and over again. And like magic, one by one they fell down to the ground, powerless. This sort of leader came running to me to stop me from what I was stupidly doing and tried to wake the other monsters again. With all the courage I had left I faced him and said, "No, you only exist because I created you. You're not real, I don't believe in you". Then I woke up sweating like a pig. Lesson from this nightmare? We create our own monsters. Mine was created out of anxiety, resentment and hate that I took with me before I slept. They manifested themselves as vampires and zombies which is just appropriate because they are eating me alive. But the enemy who planted them in my heart will never win this battle. Because I know that He who is in me is stronger and greater than he who is in this world. Google images. If you're the owner, please contact me so I can give you credit. Thank you! See also: Encounters With The Devil Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Faith Hair Trouble And The Truth About True Beauty 3:21 AM That's human nature. You always want something more than what's been given to you. Hair Trouble And The Truth About True Beauty Everyone, especially women suffer from hair trouble. Years ago shampoo commercials featured girls with perfectly straight or "bagsak" hair and convinced the consumers that "bagsak" hair is the standard for beautiful hair. Thus, those with wavy or curly hair are somewhat considered outcasts when it comes to hair fashion. So off the gullible consumers march to their favorite salons to have their stylists relax and straighten their crowning glories and make it perfectly bagsak like models on TV. Hair Trouble I am one of those fortunate few who have naturally straight and bagsak hair. I say fortunate because I have friends who would pay thousands of bucks just to have their hair showered with chemicals unknown in order to achieve that sleek look. I was spared from extra spending. I don't know about them, but grateful as I am for my straight and black hair, I still want hair with more volume and not just bagsak. I think it looks more lively and princess-like compared to my dull looking straight hair. That's human nature. You always want something more than what's been given to you. So after that day another TV commercial was shown where another shampoo can add volume to your hair depicting bagsak hair as dull and lifeless, guess what? I found myself in the supermarket buying myself a bottle of that fine solution. Finally my dream of having a thicker and voluminous hair is about to come true. It turned out though that the chemical composition of my strands does not go along with the chemicals in that shampoo. It gave my hair a certain sweet scent which I love and people compliment, but it gave my hair frizzes making me look like it's always windy outside or as another famous commercial line goes, "mahangin ba sa labas?" In the end, I stopped using it and went back to the brand I have been using which maintains my annoyingly straight locks, but is hiyang for my hair. Trouble is, I get a lot of falling hair. Guess you can never have it all in one bottle. The Truth About True Beauty What's the fuss about hair and shampoo commercials? What's all about hair troubles and women's vanity? I don't know when I started to think about it, honestly. I just know I have to blog about it. Giphy Maybe because I want to write about the irony of life seen in this simple hair issue. That straight haired people pay to achieve curlier or wavier hair while those born with natural perm want it straighter. But as I let out what I think about women, hair trouble and insecurities and TV commercials, I realized this obvious truth: We don't need the media to tell us what being beautiful is all about. We should learn to celebrate our uniqueness and embrace our quirks. We should revel with what nature has given us. I am not against women who goes out of their way and seek the help of science to improve their looks. I'm just saying it's a matter of how we look at ourselves. If you think you need some enhancements or changes to make you feel better and you have the means to do so, go ahead. But really, no matter how beautiful you already are but don't see or believe it, science will be useless. You can pay millions for make overs but still feel miserable because of how you THINK you look. In the end, your belief will lead you to your decision--- to be happy with what you have, or to want more and desire for a better version of yourself. "Better" according to your definition. I had some insecurities before but I learned early on that I may not have what other people have but, I have some things others will never have. I have been masterfully crafted and uniquely engineered. I may not be perfect, but I am made in the image and likeness of the Master of Perfection. Beauty is subjective. As for me, it's more than just having stylish hair or using the right beauty products according to the beauty experts (those beauty experts are just as human as you and me could ever be). It's having the right attitude and being confident knowing that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, that you are here for a purpose and not by accident. It is living knowing that The Expert looks at you with love and adoration Just The Way You Are. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
