"IN the World, NOT OF the World"

       Good Morning here from the west "New World" and it has been raining since Friday, windy and pouring rain Saturday with thunderstorms (sounds like a bowling up there in the heavens), and more rain today, Sunday. It is about 55 degrees Celcius. Cold.

       Just want to share a quiet time that hope will encourage you in your pilgrim walk here in earth as we wait for Christ's second coming in the "twinkling of an eye." It is from the "Hope for Each Day Devotional"  by William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr., (revised 2012) by Thomas Nelson Publishers, the day March 1:

"IN THE WORLD, NOT OF THE WORLD

They are of the world...We are of God. I John 4:5-6

The Gulf Stream flows in the ocean, and yet it is not absorbed by it. It maintains its warm temperatures even in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

Believers are in the world, and yet they must not be absorbed by it. If Christians are to fulfill their purposes in the world, they must not be chilled by the indifferent, godless society in which they live. The Bible says, "Do not be conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2). It is true that Jesus dined with publicans and sinners, but He did not allow the social group to overwhelm Him and conform Him to its ways. Instead, He seized every opportunity to present spiritual truth and to lead a soul from death to life.

Our social contacts should not only be pleasant, they should be opportunities to share our faith with those who do not yet know Christ. As you have contact with others this day, will they sense the warmth of Christ's presence through you?"

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1 Corinthians 15:50-57 King James Version (KJV)

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-18 King James Version (KJV)

11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

"LORD GOD, we need rain." "Thank you for sending the rain."

Good morning, fellow homeschooling families,

It is 6:52 a.m. here in the "New World." Where we live is a desert and have been praying for rain to come.  However, there is so much snow east by the Atlantic Ocean, my sister, "Hurricane Katrina" told me that a child was seen in the news praying to GOD as he looks to the sky, "Lord, please make it warm!"

After hearing that I found myself saying, "LORD, please give us rain! Our side of the world needs it so bad."

Before I came to the "New World," where I used to live thirty-six years of my life since birth, with chronic asthma and bronchitis, is called the "Pearl of the Orient Seas."  It is a rain forest island of many islands.  When it is very dry where you are at the moment, you kind of envy that climate a little bit only (because it is also very humid hot, normally three digit hot when the rainy season of six months is over).  Fortunately, there is a part of the "New World" that is also a rain forest.  

And where there is a rain forest, crocodiles or alligators thrive (still figuring out what is the difference between crocodiles and alligators!).

Today, February 27th, 2014, the LORD GOD has sent rain! "Oh please LORD let it pour."  According to my husband, Cuddle, who watched the news, it was reported that there will be rain from today until Saturday!  Cuddle further said "we need three inches of rain" of which I replied, "we can have some feet of rain." (flashbacks: not so bad for someone who was used to a routine of floods, where sometimes in the past during elementary school days, I used to walk in the flood that was all the way to my ankle or my shin, and when I grew up into a woman, I walked routine floods that varied from ankle to half way above my waist in heels. 

One time, due to a non-stop heavy rain for a day or two, the news broke and everyone was sent home by two p.m. from my work.  In the process, the jeepneys and buses wouldn't even allow passengers to get in to protect the engines. Modes of transportation were halted of which I found myself walking from work to home for seven hours up and down  through the highways and streets. 

Fortunately, with God's help, I happily crossed the flood that was up to my waist with other happy strangers after we connected our hands and arms, side by side, so we could all cross the high flood in a straight, horizontal line, one person holding onto the concrete island on the middle of the road connecting the rest of us, all arms linked to one another, to the person who is next to the paved curb holding onto anything, like a post, to keep us all walking alive as we cross the flood waters [because there is power in numbers!]).  Most people just wanted to reach home as fast as we can. Since businesses and small buildings are closed, and for fear of strangers asking to come and stay inside some place until the waters are down, you have no choice but to go on until you are past the flooded area.  

Please do not be offended when I wrote that people from "Pearl of the Orient Seas" did it happily. When you are used to it, you learn to apply, "rejoice in the LORD always, again I say rejoice" with other people who experiences the same thing over and over.  Even when generous and compassionate countries sent floating boats to help, do not be surprise when you see happy people dealing with the flood.

When there is the usual (or routine),  normal flooding (because there is such every time a typhoon comes during six months in a year), we should have learned our lessons well:  Learn to happily endure, happily overcome, happily cross, and happily clean afterwards. Why?  Because after the flooding that automatically also fills in the first floor of any homes and stuff begins to float (except for those who live in high places), clean up time comes.

Now, that I am celebrating my golden year, looking back as I write this blog, I understand: 

• Why houses there where I came from are being built up floor by floor, on top of one another, one floor at a time, (some three floors high, others six or more floors high), in all the years that has passed
• Why the same families of different generations tend to stay in the same house that has gone upwards
• Why when I was very young, watching by the window, I saw some kids on our street swam happily or joyfully in the still flood waters after the pouring rain has stopped 
• why in wonder do these young swimmers could do it happily (the flood will drain down sooner and recede) 
• Why we have to move up things fast to the next floors before the flood rain starts going higher
• Why we have to clean up down the first floor after each flood that comes has receded, and
• Why when the typhoon rain starts and the waters are still low on the streets, there were times my siblings and myself stand by the gate of our home (or go to the balcony if the house has it) and play happily under the pouring rain, talking, running, and screaming to one another in fun! 
• Why?

 All because there are many ways to overcome the flood joyfully!  

Only God knows if ever it is going to pour heavy rains in days  non stop here in the desert part of the "New World."

  "Did you hear in the news that it has already snowed in India?"

 We don't know what global warming would do any further.

Despite, "Thank you so much LORD Jesus for the rain you are sending and we hope the meteorologists are right."

From the "New World,"  this is Ika Crizel reporting.

MY HOPE AMERICA WITH BILLY GRAHAM A MUST WATCH TODAY

A wonderful day, evening or afternoon to you, wherever you are in the globe (or whatever continent). 
Below is a link worth sharing and watching with an open heart, either by yourself, or invite your family, friends and even enemies, in the hope that you allow the LORD GOD to meet you at the point of your deepest need(s), that nothing earthbound could meet, but surely will be met TODAY.


http://myhopewithbillygraham.org/programs/the-cross/

A THOUGHTFUL SON

My husband and I are celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary this year.  We both actually remember it only the very night before the actual date when we were in bed!  We woke up very early at 3:00 a.m. on that date because  we couldn't sleep after awakening so we decided to pray together and thanked GOD for His faithfulness through the years:

• For blessing us with two wonderful and beautiful kids.
• For blessing us with a home 
• Planting us in a church at a nearby city
• For our parenting efforts so far
• For keeping us strong and healthy
• For the job my husband has-God's means of providing for our growing needs
• For having each other and our family
• For giving us an opportunity to assist my elderly father
• For giving us grace to know, love and serve GOD after saving us from hell through Christ' perfect sacrifice at the cross
• For the freedom to worship HIM, read and study the Bible
• For the freedom to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh
• For CHRIST, being our LORD and KING

We had no plans really how to celebrate but on that night my 14 year old son surprised us that he is going to take the whole family to dinner to the restaurant of our choice!
Boy, we did go to Thai Table!, and the topic of our conversation? Whether the U.S. is going to attack Syria or not for having used chemical weapons in destroying some of their own people.  
London Parliament voted not to send their troops to the shock of the world!
My son chose to give up what he could do with some of his money for himself that night.  Do you know what happen the next day? He received a card from his Aunt Katrina with a check for $200.00 as her birthday gift to him yet his birthday was two months ago!

As we were going home, we were kind of excited on how the LORD GOD is going to intervene in what is happening to Syria because Israel is going to be affected.  The U.S. is the only ally Israel has in case Syria attacks her.  There are nations really vent on wiping Israel off the map!  They don't know WHO they are dealing with if they touch His Chosen People.  

So President Barack Obama's position is to attack Syria because he believes Syria crossed a red line.
However, he wants to give the House of Congress the chance to decide and vote on it.

If the United States voted not to intervene, how glorious it will be to behold how GOD Himself is going to protect His Chosen People!   

Two questions needed to be asked:
What is the purpose or objective of intervening or attacking?
How will the world look like after the intervention or attack?

Are these questions really what GOD has in mind or the fulfillment of another Biblical prophecy must come to pass?

Even So Come LORD JESUS!  Maranatha!

UNDERSERVING RECIPIENTS OF GOD'S LOVINGKINDNESS

            Since I came to know the LORD JESUS CHRIST, one of the truths that I am always reminded of is none of us deserve anything, yet GOD, out of His loving and kind nature, chooses to grace us.  This truth is so profound not only of our undeserving gift of eternal life In Christ but also of all things that come our way.

And, that I mean....
Good things that come our way....We do not deserve it...it is only entrusted to us for a time so we can learn to be godly stewards, not a way to feel good about ourselves.  Bottom line, we are LOVED no matter what happens, right?  To be reminded that even as we are HIS children, we are doing it out of love, and as servants of the most High GOD, we are doing it out of gratitude ("Yes, Sir.") 
Do not take me wrong.  We do it as our obedience and He rewards us in different forms whether or not we expect it, although the motive is doing HIS right thing at that moment.

Bad things that come our way....Sometimes we deserve it because our greatest enemy is FLESH or SELF spelled backwards, take away h.
                                                  .....Sometimes we think we don't deserve it but we do.  However, it is GOD's way of molding and shaping our character into Christlikeness even though the journey is nothing but stretchy hard, otherwise why would He command us to rejoice always?
                                                 .....Sometimes we think, "we definitely do not deserve this one..." but aren't we all sinners saved by grace, became saints and still in need of  not only a Savior, but a LORD and a Sanctifier?

At the same time, bad and good things come our way....
                                                 .....Sometimes we don't deserve it but GOD in His wisdom gives us the honor to be burdened to pray for others that they may know Him, the power of His resurrection and experience the miracles due!

        My homeschooling family is in a season of being caregivers to my elderly dad (taking our turns-Cuddle, Jonathan, Ninja, yours truly, and send in ones by the day-even callers to cheer my dad up!).   For purposes of this blog, my dad's name will be James Bond (one of my dad's favorite character).  He has COPD (Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease). After two ERs and hospitalizations this year, he had a mild cardiac and underwent Angiography. He is also at risk of a possible stroke due to a blocked right carotid but he does not want any more surgery at age 86.  Please help us pray for his salvation, his complete and whole surrender of his heart to Christ (of which he shared or confessed he didn't do), and his assurance of eternal life (which he is lacking as a result of living for himself even though he accepted Christ many years ago and many times already).

We do not deserve to be shown loving kindness by the Busch Family, or 
the extended mercy by CCS, or
be understood by all other parents for not being there..., or
be wondered @ CC "we haven't seen them for a while" or "whatever happened to them,"
but our everlasting GOD,
in the richness of His grace and mercy,
and His LOVE everlasting,
chooses to manifest those virtues 
through the lives of many people, strangers and angels,
toward us, in my family's new season of home"school"ing
plus the school of caregiving.

To all of you, knowing or unaware, 
remembering and praying,
even to those who may be walking in the same season or paths as we are,
thank you so much for being His channels of grace.
Being reminded, we are praying for you as well, no matter what your present journey is!

At the time of this writing, it is never too late or too early to say
"A Blessed Thanksgiving and A Miracle-filled CHRISTmas to you and your family!

21st CENTURY IDOLATRY

IDOLATRY:  THE SURPRISING ROOT OF CONFLICT

Book of James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 

QUESTION:  But what if our desires aren't sinful?
PROBLEM:  Ken Sands says the problem occurs when a legitimate desire turns into an idol.  Usually, this needs to be dealt with before dealing with surface issues.

PRACTICALLY, HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?

A DESIRE      ( I want a peaceful home, respect from my wife, professional success, spiritual growth in my church family, a cell phone, an Ipad, a motorcycle, etc.)  Name whatever your desire is.

      When my desire begins to preoccupy and control my other thoughts and actions, it  escalates into

A DEMAND     (I cannot be happy or fulfilled if my desire isn't satisfied.)  

      When other people don't meet my demand, I view them as blocking me from getting what I want.  As a result,

I JUDGE     (You are the cause  of my dissatisfaction and must change for my desire to be satisfied.)  

      When I use my words and actions to manipulate  your behavior toward fulfilling my demand,

I PUNISH      ("If you won't do what I want you to do, then I won't do what you want me to do.")      

      When I pursue my desire before I listen to and obey GOD, it becomes

AN IDOL     ("I am preoccupied with this desire.  It directs what I do and how I feel; it is the controlling grid through which I view this situation.")   

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          What about the spiritual element involved with conflict?  Obviously, our Enemy hates unity---and so he makes suggestions that tempt us to judge others and feel self-righteous.

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EXAMINE   When you are confronted by someone or something that makes you uncomfortable, lean into the discomfort.  Drag that feeling into the light of Scripture, and examine it closely.  Is it the pain of your temporary flesh being crucified----or the pain of an eternal truth being violated?  Challenge yourself to respond immediately and obediently to God's promptings.
        

          (Excerpts from May 2012 In Touch Magazine)

Why do I even give gifts or celebrate CHRISTmas?

              "Years ago, I heard Dallas Seminary professor Howard Hendricks say that CHRISTmas in America is not so much about giving as it is swapping.  If we give someone a fabulous gift, and the gift we receive from them is, well, less fabulous, that's okay.  We'll make sure that things get evened out the next year when it comes time  to select their gift.  Who hasn't sometimes felt just a little slighted at the inadequacy of a gift received? (Come on, be honest now.) In fact, our culture feeds that disappointment by pointing out attention to gifts that are impossible for the average person to afford.  Still, we make up on CHRISTmas morning certain that someone, whose love for us will be measured by the quality of his or her gift to us, is going to hit it out of the park this year.  How can anything but the weeds of discontent grow in that kind of emotional field?" Excerpt from the booklet entitled Discovery Series: Anticipating the Birth of Christ, The Stories of Simeon and Anna by Bill Crowder, Radio Bible Class Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI.  http://rbc.org/

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What the professor said is not only true of America but around the world.  How do I know?  I came from a third world nation. It is true as well.  The reality is this self-centered way of celebrating Christmas has become a materialistic holiday, where many are after what one can get, whether a business who needs your money to make it by Black Friday or a person who desires something so that person expects someone to give it to satisfy the longing. Or, even if that person can afford it, it sure is nice if it will come from someone who cares.  Isn't that selfish? The situation above  don't really happen only on Christmas but even on birthday celebrations.

To be honest, we seldom see the people we come to see on these holidays, if not, once a year-on Christmas.  For example, we got invited at a birthday party, but barely know the celebrant, although we love being there and see what fun we can have at the expense of another.  Someone even told me that the reason there is a party is so you can invite people whom you expect to bring gifts.  Being a host, the gifts even out the expense of providing food and favors. Is this GOD's concept of celebration? All these happens whether we are rich or poor or middle class, if that still exists.  Some rich will also get over it by buying whatever, without a thought.  Businesses give gifts, too,  because "good business," in exchange for your loyalty. Asking for choices allows us to see whether we can afford it or not. 
Instead of coming to know the celebrant by caring enough to ask from a good source, so we will have a hint of the celebrant's desire or choices, we guess on what we think they desire or buy and get over with it.  "Buy a gift, what-ever." It has become overboard and meaningless.  If GOD indeed commanded to celebrate His birth (the time He was born here on earth although no one can tell the exact date and the fact that GOD has no beginning and has no end), Being the celebrant, is this the way HE would want us to celebrate it?

What is the point of giving someone a gift (whether you already have money; or, if you use credit card and pay later-- why would GOD say "owe no one anything but to love?) just so that at least you gave without praying and meaningfully consider to ask GOD what He would buy for this person if HE was here?    Doesn't GOD care about that person that HE surely will take the time to reveal it if we only ask Him how to do it?  Does He even want us to give a gift and if so, who? Doesn't HE give gifts to touch someone's heart or life?

GOD, being the Celebrant, we should at least ask HIM how He wants us to celebrate it and His heart's desire?  More than anything, knowing GOD deeply, you know His heart cry is always a lost soul who needs the greatest gift.  Our job is pray hard and wait on GOD to lead us to one, whether it is a lost family member at a time when we can use the season to share the truth of why JESUS CHRIST was born into the human world; or a prodigal one, who needs to be reminded of what Jesus already did.   

Why do I say this?  Because I have a child who thinks she knows what she wants or needs but really don't so she will desire a lot of things.  "Believe you me," given the choices, and bought one of those, you will find that she got bored of it already or "oh, I wish it was something else."  It just makes one ungrateful.  You know what I mean?   Obviously, my daughter needs a heart-gift of contentment and gratefulness no amount of material gift could make it possible until we seriously intercede with God for that precious heart.  I probably reflected the same heart as my daughter when I was her age but my parents were so merciful and so forgiving like GOD.

Now, I also have witnessed and experienced, in an impoverished environment, that CHRISTmas can still be celebrated without the exchange of gifts but just the joy of being with the people you care about and sharing a simple meal that has no strife.  Sometimes even no meal because there isn't really any but was there joy?  Ofcourse!  Because the joy was within the heart thankful that we are still alive, we have each other and had another Christmas or new year.  This time will also pass.  

If there are unbelievers who experience this good thing, shouldn't we as Christians consider what we do because honestly we are shaming Jesus Christ by the way we do it. God is our example.  He gave because it is HIS nature, a generous GOD, out of love.  Shouldn't we do the same?  Yes, we are not GOD, but by just asking from HIM, He can fill us with His nature, being HIS children.  HE has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places and that includes His kingdom in our hearts!   Even if He asks us to give something costly, our obedience moves HIM to enable and provide.  Then, we get to celebrate the season with a heart that pleases Him and surely will touch lives, free of financial troubles.   Let us also pray that the recipient's heart will find it in his heart to know and thank GOD for touching his life,   whether or not we heard the thanks.   

On another note, what will happen to one's Christmas if there are no gift exchanges anymore because there is so much poverty, or out of money for gifts or simply broke---in other words, hardships?  Will life be miserable?  NO.  Why? Because the Gift is given already---with or without money, CHRIST is the GIFT.  The reading of the WORD which is sharper than any two-edged sword, in the  midst of the celebration is what gives us hope and defines the meaning of CHRISTmas.  

Last, but not least, understand this:  Take away CHRIST from the word Christian, you have 'ian' which stands for "I am nothing." Take away CHRIST from the word Christmas, you have "mas" which stands for "Man Abounding in Sin."

Therefore, let us not dare take CHRIST out of CHRISTmas, with or without human gifts.