God First ❤️

I just finished my second book for 2020 and it's amazing how it affirms everything I learned from the first book (Whole Again). Also, I finished it while waiting for my turn at the doctor's clinic. 😁

Book #2 for 2020. 😊

Here are 10 of my biggest takeaways:

1. You cannot "compartmentalize" physical fitness in one category of your being and spiritual fitness in another - every facet of your life has an impact on the person you are today and the person you will become tomorrow.

2. When you face concerns of any sort - including health-related challenges - God is with you. And His healing touch, like His love, endures forever.

3. Faith Above Feelings: "Emotions we have not poured out in the safe hands of God can turn into feelings of hopelessness and depression. God is safe."

4. If your willpower has failed you on numerous occasions, then it's time to turn your weaknesses over to God. If you've been having trouble standing on your own two feet, perhaps it's time to drop your knees in prayer.

5. The journey toward improved health is not only a common sense exercise in personal discipline, it is also a spiritual journey ordained by our Creator, God.

6. Every step of your life's journey is a choice... and the quality of those choices determines the quality of the journey.

7. It's simply a fact of life: Not all of your health-related plans will succeed, and not all of your goals will be met. Life's occasional setbacks are simply the price we must pay for our willingness to take risks as we follow our dreams. But even when we encounter bitter disappointments, we must never lose faith... What's required is perseverance, not perfection.

8. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, it's always the right time to take another step toward God.

9. Since God has promised to guide and protect you - now and forever - you should never lose hope.

10. When you learn to be more patient, you'll make your world - and your heart - a more peaceful and less stressful place.

Ultimately, the book is reminding us to PUT GOD FIRST. It says, "God deserves first place in your life.. and you deserve the experience of putting Him there." ❤️

Image Source: Pinterest

Today, Ash Wednesday, is the start of Lent. For the next 40 days, we will be following the Lord more closely, we'll try to know Him more deeply, with the goal to build a relationship with Him that's unbreakable until eternity. ❤️

May we choose to put God first today and every day, and may we consistently work and cooperate with Him as we journey towards health, wellness, and wholeness - in all aspects. 🙏

In his homily, Fr. Dan said that the only way back home is through our hearts. We have to take a look at what's inside us and align all our desires, all our will, with God's. There's no other way but God's way. Now and forever, His will be done. ❤️

Comments

Understanding Lupang Hinirang

Every Filipino knows Lupang Hinirang (though some know it better as " Bayang Magiliw "). How can you not know it when it is the national anthem of the Philippines? But do we really mean the lyrics that we sing? Do we understand it in the first place? Photo Credit: http://diazi.ism-online.org This video has gone viral weeks ago. This afternoon, I shared it to my teammates, and one commented, "Yun pala yun . Ngayon ko lang naintindihan." He immediately downloaded it and converted to MP3. So for those who have not seen it, once again, here is Joey Ayala's version of Lupang Hinirang. And I agree, you would never want to sing it in another way. (But that's just me. :D) This rendition is simply beautiful. Truly Filipino. :) Of course that doesn't mean we need to revise our national anthem but maybe we can consider about correcting the way we sing it (read: proper pronunciation). Read more about the Philippine National Anthem here . ...

Jesus Week 2015: A Time To HEAL ♥

I had the best, most meaningful HOLY WEEK ever, so far (the best is yet to come!). :) Thanks to Joy who shared the Jesus Week poster on Facebook. It was God's personal invitation, and I couldn't thank Him enough for the grace that He also gave me to respond. Everything is grace. It was not just my personal decision to join. It was God's grace that allowed me to. So how did it go? Well, as what I have told my friends, it was amazingly beautiful! The experience was priceless! On Holy Monday, I posted Fr. Jerry Orbos' acronym for HOLY WEEK . I experienced all of that and more! :) I won't be able to share everything as there is just a lot of personal, intimate encounters with the Lord. But if I were to summarize, it was a time for me to HEAL. :) H alt . Indeed, I was able to stop and just rest in the Lord. Before leaving Manila, I have already told myself that this retreat will be all about Jesus ( Jesus Week nga e :D ). No emails, no texts, no calls. I...

Thank You, Lord! :)

It has been a long and stressful day (the past three days have been lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng and stressssssssssssssssssssssssssssssful), but You are just so amazing, Lord that I couldn't sleep without telling You how grateful I am. :) Thank You, Lord for the miracle that You did yesterday. Break even and more. :) Thank You, Lord for the laughter and stories shared during the post-mission meeting with Team Thailand. :) Team Thailand - Princesses from SFC Metro Manila :) Thank You, Lord for Lawrence. He is just the (almost) perfect man. He has his flaws, but they are acceptable; he makes mistakes, but they are all forgivable. There are a lot of men but there can never be anyone else. He's really the one. And You know it very well. :) ♥ Nemo. Love. ♥ Thank You, Lord for giving me strength and endurance each day. :) Thank You, Lord for the short but restful sleeps. :) Thank You, Lord for every waking moment and every opportunity that You give ...

The Holy Spirit*

*Cluster 4 Household Topic Reflections from John 15:26-16:4 True friendship is strengthened in adversity. Jesus offers His disciples the best and truest of friends. Who is this promised friend? Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also translated Paraclete or Helper). Counselor is a legal term for the one who will defend someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life. As Jesus approaches the hour that He was to be glorified - through His death on the cross and His resurrection - He revealed more fully to His disciples the person and the role of the Holy Spirit. What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit? First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life - the very life of God - and who kindles faith in hearts r...

Interesting Facts Courtesy of Celebrity Bluff :)

I was writing a different post, but Celebrity Bluff is just so fun and informative, I had to stop from blogging to list down the fun facts that I learn from each round. :) Thought it would be nice to share them here as well. For future reference. :D Q: In 2012, what kind of animal was named after Beyonce? A: Horse Fly Q: What rare job in China will pay you US$50,000 a year? A: Fart Smeller Q: What alcoholic drink literally means "water of life"? A: Whisky Q: In which part of the body can you find the tragus? A: Ear Q: According to Merriam-Webster, what is the female equivalent of dude? A: Dudine Q: What is longer in the male turtles than in the females? A: Nails And the final question is... Q: According to Box Office Mojo what are the top four (4) movies of 2013 according to global profit? A: (1) Iron Man 3, (2) Despicable Me 2, (3) Fast and the Furious 6 (4) The Hunger Games: Cat...

These Little Wonders

Search This Blog