Matthew 17:20-21 KJV
And Jesus said unto them: Because of your unbelief: For verily, I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto the mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible to you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
I was having some concerns in my life when I saw this verse. I thought, "OK, maybe I should try doing a dessert fast for a week." I really need to see God's power. You, know, have some excitement in my life.
So, I started my dessert fast the next day. However, I didn't do too well, I just couldn't resist the chocolate chip cookies that were given to us. Then I questioned myself if I was really fasting, I felt terrible and defeated.
The next day, Some people brought a pan of brownies to my workplace and they looked so good, so yummy. Hmmmm, should I even have just a little bit? But then I thought that if I yielded this time, then I would fail in everything, fasting or not. It will show how weak my resolve is and I just cannot accept that so I had to pray for the Lord to help me resist the temptation.
I continued to pray specifically for this corcern that I had, all the other concerns took a back seat in my prayer life, and I was just focusing on this one thing.
The next few days seemed easy enough but then we got a dinner invitation and we brought ice cream for dessert! Thankfully They had plain strawberries so I chose that instead! No whipped cream, OK!!!
Then we went to another lunch party and there was blackberry cobbler with ice cream! I almost succumb to it but I separated myself from people who were eating this stuff and I survived!
Then came the 7th day and I ended my fasting that day and just giving my specific concern to God and I decided it was up to Him whether He will do something or not.
Boy, In a few hours, that concern was answered and God open up the door unexpectedly. I was just so amazed by the way it all went. I cannot believe it but of course I believe!
The other thing, God not only answered this concern but all the others that I haven't even mentioned that week, was answered as well.
The greatest of all was when Kurt came home and said, " Mom, something happened this week. God took away all my desire to smoke pot." I said, "Really? Wow! you know what...." And we talked about it for awhile.
He also enrolled in College and I was so relieved when he chose to take graphics design. He was also thinking of taking business or automotive course. But graphics design is really him, as he is so good in art. Such an answer to prayer, for direction in Kurt's life!
And then... there is still residual effect. Even the week that followed. My hospital had a picnic at the lake. Kristy and I got invited to ride in a boat. Kristy and her friend got pulled in a tube behind the boat and she said, "Mom, that was so much fun. Even more fun than Sea World!"
So I didn't have to spend any money just to make Kristy happy.
And Kevin... he was given a $56.00 skateboard and a dinner at On the border for free !!!
Another neat thing...
I had always been interested in Southern France. I am drawn to the warmth landscape of the countryside as well as the seaside ambience I see in pictures. I like French country decorating and I have adapted some in my home like using toile fabrics for draperies and slowly buying a few accessories. So when I had an ebay buyer from France, I wrote them that I like the French countryside and guess where they live?... Southern France!!!
Never in my wildest dream did I ever imagine that in six months Jean Paul and Christine would be our dinner guests in our house. Since I can't afford to go to France, God brought France to me! They brought to me six handblown drinking glasses from the factory in Biot, France. I even got the brochure and they gave us several booklets from places in Austria they've been to and even a store catalog equivalent to our Wal-Mart! How exciting it was to visit and make friends and explore other culture without leaving Tyler! God is good!
Oh and I shouldn't forget...Praise God for providing me with a great job for the past five years, a great boss and a recent pay raise.
God is so good all the time!!!
Fasting...anybody? It really works.
Great are You, my Lord, and most worthy of praise. Your greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.(Ps. 145:3-7)
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Pinky's Praises
My Sister Had Plastic Surgery
My sister Danelle was born with a cleft lip. She had surgery when she was a baby 20 years ago and that was it. She had a slightly noticeable scar but the other side of her nose kinda flattened out. I don't know if that really affected her much emotionally but she is a smart student and she sings in front of people at our Dad's church. Her speech wasn't at all affected and she has a beautiful singing voice.
Well, She grew up and became a nurse. Boy, how time flies. She volunteered to work at a specialty hospital in my hometown which is Davao City, Philippines. This hospital also does plastic surgeries, EENT etc.
One day I heard that she's been offered by a plastic surgeon (the best in town) to have her surgery done for free. Wow, isn't that great?
However my Dad had concerns since the surgeon said they've have to take a bone out of Danelle's hip to be placed on her nose. So since my Dad is a praying Dad, he just prays about it because that is the only thing he knows to do.
Then operation Smile came to Davao and somehow the local surgeon passed her on to the surgeon in the team who came from Manila and guess what? He did not have to take a bone out of her hip. He just straightened out the cartilage in her nose and did some surgery on her upper lip.
All these for free but the family provided the staff with merienda (snacks).
Praise God!!! My family is not wealthy and we couldn't afford such specialty operations but God orchestrated everything and paved a way for Danelle. Isn't that special?
My Dad Had Cataract Surgery
My Dad needed cataract surgery on both eyes. Well as I've said, my family is not wealthy so my brothers and I decided to chip-in so it will be easier on everybody concerned. I guess God decided to chip-in too because my sister who works at the hospital talked them into lowering the bill in half, and the lab work was all free. When my brother and I talked on the phone, he figured out my part came to $20.00 after everything was split-up between the 5 of us. The reason it was only $20.00 is because I'm in the U.S and they're in the Philippines so my money goes a long way. But still, $20.00 is unbelievable so I decided to send-in $100.00.
My Dad is doing good and still going strong as a groovy old man!
Praise the Lord!!!
My Friend Tere and Her Debt-Erased!
I work with Tere and she and I usually talk about the goodness of God in our lives and the people we know.
I need to share what happened to Tere and her debt because this story is not something that I had heard somewhere else but directly from the recipient of God's goodness.
Tere told me that she has really been praying that they will be debt-free and so she would work extra at the other hospital so she can pay her debts. But oh, you know how it feels when its a weekend and you'd like to spend time with your kids or you really have a garage sale you want to go to...Bummer!!!
Well, Tere's been praying. She noticed that recently the other hospital has been cancelling her weekend job leaving her with more time for her family. Then her husband got a bonus, giving them more money to meet their needs. She also told me that they felt the need to support this mission in Mexico and so they have been doing that.
Tere's husband Sam had surgery some months ago and they encurred some debts on that. Every month they would faithfully come by the hospital to pay the minimum amount due. They did that this weekend and when she got home she had a message on the answering machine. She taught they were calling her to work and she dreaded to hear the message but when she did, it was the lady at the business office. When she talked to her, the lady told Tere that she had checked their records and it showed that their account has been paid in full. Tere asked her to double checked including the other account they have and the lady said that they are both paid. It was more than $1300. She couldn't believe it but what do you say to that...Praise God!!! God is good!!! Isn't God good?
God is good all the time!!!!!
My sister Danelle was born with a cleft lip. She had surgery when she was a baby 20 years ago and that was it. She had a slightly noticeable scar but the other side of her nose kinda flattened out. I don't know if that really affected her much emotionally but she is a smart student and she sings in front of people at our Dad's church. Her speech wasn't at all affected and she has a beautiful singing voice.
Well, She grew up and became a nurse. Boy, how time flies. She volunteered to work at a specialty hospital in my hometown which is Davao City, Philippines. This hospital also does plastic surgeries, EENT etc.
One day I heard that she's been offered by a plastic surgeon (the best in town) to have her surgery done for free. Wow, isn't that great?
However my Dad had concerns since the surgeon said they've have to take a bone out of Danelle's hip to be placed on her nose. So since my Dad is a praying Dad, he just prays about it because that is the only thing he knows to do.
Then operation Smile came to Davao and somehow the local surgeon passed her on to the surgeon in the team who came from Manila and guess what? He did not have to take a bone out of her hip. He just straightened out the cartilage in her nose and did some surgery on her upper lip.
All these for free but the family provided the staff with merienda (snacks).
Praise God!!! My family is not wealthy and we couldn't afford such specialty operations but God orchestrated everything and paved a way for Danelle. Isn't that special?
My Dad Had Cataract Surgery
My Dad needed cataract surgery on both eyes. Well as I've said, my family is not wealthy so my brothers and I decided to chip-in so it will be easier on everybody concerned. I guess God decided to chip-in too because my sister who works at the hospital talked them into lowering the bill in half, and the lab work was all free. When my brother and I talked on the phone, he figured out my part came to $20.00 after everything was split-up between the 5 of us. The reason it was only $20.00 is because I'm in the U.S and they're in the Philippines so my money goes a long way. But still, $20.00 is unbelievable so I decided to send-in $100.00.
My Dad is doing good and still going strong as a groovy old man!
Praise the Lord!!!
My Friend Tere and Her Debt-Erased!
I work with Tere and she and I usually talk about the goodness of God in our lives and the people we know.
I need to share what happened to Tere and her debt because this story is not something that I had heard somewhere else but directly from the recipient of God's goodness.
Tere told me that she has really been praying that they will be debt-free and so she would work extra at the other hospital so she can pay her debts. But oh, you know how it feels when its a weekend and you'd like to spend time with your kids or you really have a garage sale you want to go to...Bummer!!!
Well, Tere's been praying. She noticed that recently the other hospital has been cancelling her weekend job leaving her with more time for her family. Then her husband got a bonus, giving them more money to meet their needs. She also told me that they felt the need to support this mission in Mexico and so they have been doing that.
Tere's husband Sam had surgery some months ago and they encurred some debts on that. Every month they would faithfully come by the hospital to pay the minimum amount due. They did that this weekend and when she got home she had a message on the answering machine. She taught they were calling her to work and she dreaded to hear the message but when she did, it was the lady at the business office. When she talked to her, the lady told Tere that she had checked their records and it showed that their account has been paid in full. Tere asked her to double checked including the other account they have and the lady said that they are both paid. It was more than $1300. She couldn't believe it but what do you say to that...Praise God!!! God is good!!! Isn't God good?
God is good all the time!!!!!
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