Stepping Out

“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus.
Matthew 14:29

This morning, I played the electric keyboard at church for the very first time. I was part of the worship team that led the singing for the morning’s service. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun while playing the piano or keyboard. I’d been playing for years (mostly on my own) but nothing beats the way worship was, today. For years, I’d also known that I’d be playing just like I did but I just didn’t know exactly when and where. It finally happened at today’s service and I am overjoyed.

Before we became missionaries, Eng and I used to attend Friday night prayer times at our friends’ house just two streets away from where we lived. This goes way back to the early 90s. One night, I received prophetic prayers. My hands were held out in front of me (as I postured myself to receive) and my eyes were closed. Our prayer leader rested his fingers on my left palm and continued to pray. Involuntarily, my left hand suddenly started to go up and shake uncontrollably! This went on for a few seconds until the shaking slowed and stopped and my hand finally descended on my lap. Because I was being prayed for, it never occurred to me to stop my hand. I probably could have stopped it from shaking but I didn't want to. Far from frightening me, the experience excited me. It seemed like my mind was just a second or two away from what was going on. By the time it began to sink in my brain that my hand was shaking by itself, it stopped. Then, as the thought began to form in my head, “What about my right hand?” there it was, already shaking and doing exactly what my other hand did. When my right hand finally rested on my other lap, the first and only thing I could think of was, “Now, I know, I can play.” I knew the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, touched my hands and made them shake. I also knew I could then begin to play the piano. Up until then, I’d always played the same pieces that I’d memorized by rote (like the theme song from “The Sting”). In my life, I might have had a summer or two of piano lessons but that was it. I enjoyed playing however, so I used to finger the melody of songs with my right hand. I never knew how to play and what to do with my left hand until that time of prayer. After that night, the same prayer leader taught me about chords and so I did begin to play with both hands.

For the next 20+ years, I played mostly at home and hardly ever publicly. I didn’t have the nerve to play anywhere else! I didn’t think I was good enough to play with trained people. It was only because I was here on my own over the summer and had more free time that I thought I’d give it a try and find out if I could play at church. Last Thursday, I attended the worship practice and I struggled. I actually wondered if they’d fire me for not playing well enough. =) They asked me not to play the melody with my right hand but that’s all it knew to do since childhood! I was in trouble and frustrated. This morning, our pastor actually talked about how it is in the frustrating environments that we are more fruitful. He said faith takes us beyond where we’re comfortable to a new place. In the passage above, Peter left his place of comfort to a new type of shaky surface. But yes, he couldn’t stand on the water until he was off the boat! I didn't realize it but from Thursday onwards, as I practiced and trained my right hand to play a variation of the chords instead of the melody, it was new territory for me. And playing at church was also my actual stepping out to a new environment. In both cases, I’m glad I, in effect, stepped off the boat and stood on the water. I would not have known the joy and exhilaration of playing and worshipping with a crowd of people. What a thrill it is!

This morning, I also woke up to a line of a song that repeatedly played in my head. It was “He (the Lord) shall reign forever.” When I heard it, I knew the Lord was going to reign over the whole worship time. I knew I could be confident that it’ll turn out well because how else would it be if He was the one reigning? He’s too good to let it be otherwise. And this was affirmed by what the pastor said that our confidence should not be on the journey but on the living God. Yes!

Thank you, Lord, for the new challenges you gave me and that you actually prompted me to “Come.” Amen to that. Bless you!

Giving’s Reward

…we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35

I was asked to share a story about our kids and when I prayed about it, this was the one that came to mind. It happened when we were still working in the south of the Philippines over a decade ago. May it bless and encourage you. =)

“Are you sharing your other lollipop?” is what I asked 7 year old Eric since he had two pieces and neither of his two brothers had any. We just finished our lunch and I wondered what our two sons would do with their treats. Eric said, “No, I’m not. It wouldn't be fair since one (brother) would get one (lollipop) while the other wouldn't.” I was a bit surprised with his answer but carried on, “What about you, Eli, are you sharing your candies?” He had three candies while 10 year old Evan had none and Eric had his two suckers. Almost 5 years old, Eli quickly responded with, “No, I wouldn't, because Eric would end up with way more than me!”

As their mother, I was befuddled. I thought I always taught them to share what they had but it obviously didn't work. I considered forcing them to share but I truly wanted them to do that out of their own volition. Not wanting to waste a teaching moment, I opted to tell them a story. I told them of the 4-5 year old Muslim kids that I taught in pre-school. My kids knew they were poor and didn't own much since they’d seen them and had been to the little nipa hut that housed our school. For a peso (a few cents worth), we served snacks to the students since several came to school hungry. The children didn't eat to their heart’s content. They usually were only given a snack packet of biscuits or a piece of bread with their drink. Yet more than once, I saw two of my students keep the rest of their snack after one bite. Concerned that they didn't like their snacks,I asked them why they didn't eat them. They said they wanted to bring it home and share it with their little siblings. My heart broke when I heard their reason. I hoped it would have the same effect on my sons regarding their sharing. I said nothing further to them.

Later, Eric asked me how many students I had. “Twenty”, I responded. He then gave me P20.00 and asked me to give each of my students a peso so they wouldn’t have to give up their food. They could just buy their siblings a snack. =) I was pleased. The next day, I did exactly what he told me to do and then I led my students in a prayer that God would bless Eric back for what he’d done for them.

Two days later, Eric was invited by our friends to go to the beach with them. I gave him P100.00 to pay for his expenses. When he came home that day, he excitedly told me that he had P200.00. “What?!? I told you to pay for your food! How come you have twice the money I gave you?” He explained that our friends paid for his expenses as their guest. And the last P100.00? He found it when he was digging in the sand.

That day, Eric saw first hand that when he gave to God (directly or through others), the Lord blessed him back ten times more than what he’d given. Try it. I'm sure you’d be as pleasantly surprised and shocked as he was. =) I'll be sharing more stories on giving in the weeks to come.

More Changes

Change – verb (used with object) to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one’s name; to change one’s opinion; to change the course of history.

A few years ago, while attending a revival meeting at Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (TACF); the speaker encouraged us to offer our coins by throwing them on the floor. He was teaching on “change” and how suddenly or quickly the Lord brings it about. When the walkways were littered with coins, he organized us and got us to walk on them (in one direction) as a prophetic act. Change, symbolized by the coins, was going to be a part of our lives but we were not to be overcome by them. Instead, we’re to be on “top” of it. I wasn’t exactly sure how that would look as I lived it but because I’d never done that before nor since, I’d never forgotten it. Since then, I also began to choose to view changes in my life positively. The changes may not be easy nor pleasant but I choose not to complain, whine, nor fuss about it.

In a previous post (“Change”, posted on August 28, 2011), I wrote that a lot of us resist change and do not welcome it but it’s undoubtedly a part of our lives whether we want it or not. I said change was necessary. Papa God always wants to transform us so we can be holy just as He is holy. We must desire, or at least welcome, change, so we can be more like Him faster.

Yesterday, while my friend and I took our early morning walk, I saw a coin on the road. Immediately, because of my experience above, I said, “Oh look, change!” We walked by it but as I realized that I was just talking about what I wanted to happen with my situation, I thought it was prophetic that I all of a sudden found change. My friend was asking for my prayer request and as I was explaining it, I saw the coin. =) I saw that as the Lord’s way of encouraging me that indeed, change will come about. Yes! I then told her that I wanted to take a picture of it so we returned to the coin. After taking pictures of it, I took it and put it in my “Place to be Quiet” spot. Now, every time I see it, I can be reminded that change is coming. =)

I also know that I need to perceive incidents and my circumstances in new ways. I’ve always appreciated flowers but when I saw it through the eyes of my friend who took pictures of them, I understood the need to dig deeper and look more closely at whatever I’m dealing with. Sometimes, especially in arguments, it isn’t just always about the issue at hand. It is often far more complicated. My added prayer is that the change in me, will be, that I’ll understand what is going on beneath the surface of our situations. I’m grateful that the Holy Spirit has been prompting this. Thank you, Lord, for not leaving me alone but for helping me change.

And as I change, with the Lord’s instigation, He will forever be just as faithful, reliable, dependable, loveable, helpful, kind, glorious, and patient. He will, Himself, never change. He is the only constant. He is perfect. There is nothing in Him that needs changing. =) And that is still a comforting truth. Praise You, Lord!

60 Days Later

I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 146:2

My family finally joined me last Saturday. =) Considering that my love tank had been empty for awhile since no one had been around to give me lots of hugs and kisses, it truly touched me that as I pulled up in front of the airport to pick them up, my teen son opened the car’s door and before I was able to get off the car, he gave me a long, tight hug. He told me that he missed me and that he loved me. That warmed my heart real good but he also told me later that he truly missed me because he wanted to talk to me about his predicament with his friends while he was still in Toronto but he didn’t want to do it on Skype. That statement warmed my heart even more. =) My son and I had not always been on the best of terms so hearing that was like music to my ears. The Lord is so good to me.

Now, the house is suddenly messy in several places and the noise level increased several notches, BUT, I am glad they are home. It is good to have them back. I will miss my extended time of being responsible to no one and the freedom of just doing anything I wanted (sing, play the keyboard, sleep in, not sleep, not cook, not eat, eat oatmeal for supper or just fruit all day, leave the house, come home any time, etc., etc.). I will look back on this time of my life as nothing else but a gift. I thrived and enjoyed it. It was good to be on my own, enjoy the Lord, and the ways He protected, provided, looked after me, and loved me exceedingly and abundantly. The other day for example, I was out for a buffet meal with friends and we were surprisingly presented with roses by the hotel’s staff (they even knelt while giving the small bouquet to each of us). They also gave us chocolate bars and a gift each. When we asked why we were being blessed that way, they explained that it was because we were special. =) Some days, I thanked Papa God because I knew people around me were kind to me just because I belonged to Him. It shouldn’t have surprised me that we got treated that way but it’s always such a pleasure!

As our new normal begins with Eng and just our two younger sons back, plus the school year starting, I’d like to specifically thank the Lord for:

• The end of bug bites on my feet. There were 26 by the time it stopped! I literally walked around the house with a bug spray on my hand, sprayed invisible enemies where my feet normally were, when I stood or sat, and it worked!
• The way He became so real to me especially during Chris’ death (please see previous posts). He soothed, comforted, cradled, and powerfully ministered to me.
• The peace He gave daily. Sometimes, I even walked in the dark. I felt no fear.

• Helping me understand the creator side of Him. I started a “Place to be Quiet Project” just outside where our dining table was. I worked with flowers and plants which I placed around Eng’s water fountain. When I decided which plant got transferred to pots or when, or which got tossed out, I related with the Lord so much. To be surrounded by beauty is wonderful and creating/giving (?) life is so fulfilling. I’d cut off a stalk, soak it in water, and in a few days, there’d be roots growing from it. New life formed from the stalk and when I planted it, the potential for more beauty got started. What fun!
• Abiding in me. This became so crystal clear when a friend and I went out for coffee. I went to the washroom (toilet) and there at the door where it would typically have a figure with a skirt was the baffling sign “Abiding”. I don’t know why their sign displayed that. It just did and it definitely spoke to me.

And, of course, my best friend from Manila visited me for five days. I don’t think I’d ever be able to duplicate that. My online course ended so I had no responsibilities (to my family, work, nor school) and just had time to relax, enjoy, and have fun. It was such an amazing gift, all of it, 60 days of grace. Thank you, Lord! I love you, so much.

Reconciling

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise His holy name for ever and ever.
Psalm 145:21

In grade school, once a year, our class used to go see the nurse as she examined our health. We’d gone in groups alphabetically arranged so the same group of people always went with me. My group included my cousin and eventually, my future high school best friend. We received individual turns with the nurse but we were all in the same room. One year, I was asked whether I took vitamins and wanting to impress, I said “Yes”, emphatically. That question was soon followed by “Which one?” and in the same vein, I earnestly replied with, “Muriatic Acid”. This happened over forty years ago but sometimes when I see this old friend, we’d have a good, hearty, throaty laugh about this story. I realize that some readers of this blog are from other countries so let me just explain that in those days, back in the Philippines, Muriatic Acid, more commonly known as hydrochloric acid, was used to treat iron and steel as a form of rust prevention. It was somehow also very carefully used in our house to whiten toilet bowls to rid it of mineral deposits. Had I truly ingested that liquid, I would have literally corroded my insides to kingdom come! =D I meant to say “ascorbic acid” (Vitamin C) but I was actually not even clued in to the mistake. I was oblivious which made it all the funnier, especially to my quick witted friend who started to then laugh. We still get tickled to the bone (!) with that memory. =)

That same friend is with me for a few days. I looked forward to this, anticipating the good time that we’re going to have. She said she wanted to come (all the way from Manila, Philippines) to celebrate my birthday with me. I was truly touched by even just the thought of that because I would have spent my birthday on my own. My family doesn’t get here until two days later and that’s what birthdays had always meant to me, celebrating it with them and having them pray for me. To have her here is like having a family member with me. I also finished my paper last Friday (YAY!) and so I have this week to just chill, enjoy, and celebrate. =) Those activities are usually better done with someone. In addition, I understood that in His grace, the Lord was allowing my friend and I to have this time together to truly reconnect, and reconcile. In our last year of high school, we had a falling out and I’d always regretted that our friendship was no longer as close as it used to be.

Yesterday, over our meals, we had LOONG, revealing, sometimes awkward, sometimes painful, but definitely necessary discussions about our relationship. I realized that I remembered it wrongly and that I needed to apologize for the way I related with her over the years. She also apologized. We forgave each other and in one exchange, I actually, instantly, felt released. =) The Lord is so good. He never wanted nor meant for me to carry that unforgiveness in my heart. I know it’s a sin that stood in the way of me getting closer to Him. I am so glad it’s been dealt with. I’ve been set free. We sang songs of praises last night (not together, not yet!) and that’s what it felt like, my heart was singing and rejoicing. My mouth was/is speaking in praise of the Lord. =D

One of the things she did earlier yesterday was to buy bottles of healthy detoxification drink. She was kind enough to share a bottle with me and I actually enjoyed the taste. She, on the other hand, thought it tasted awful. With a straight face, I told her that I should have her taste the ‘Oil of Olay’ that I periodically drink. At this point, she started laughing again and pointed out what I’d said. =D Then, I remembered the first story above and that got us going for another round of hysterics. =) Laughter is such good medicine.

Why was that funny? For those who may not be from North America, some of us have been taking 2-3 drops of ‘Oil of Oregano’ (this is about all you can take for the ghastly taste that it has!) added in a bit of water. We do this for our immunity level to increase. For years, I’d also been using ‘Oil of Olay’ facial lotion.

Faith Came

Faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Last week, our pastor at church taught on faith. I also have been praying with a new friend and we talked about where the Lord was taking us to and it was to a new level of faith and trust in God. I know that this year, as I began to go through the steps necessary to begin my graduate studies in Counseling, I needed to have faith that the Lord would help me do it. Not only is it a daunting task in that I need 27 courses to complete the program but I haven’t written an academic paper in over 20 years! Then there is the cost of each course which is over a thousand and the books aren’t included in that amount! Acceptance into the program was so competitive that I allowed the Admissions Officer to talk me into earning a Graduate Studies Certificate instead. As I realized my fears later, I insisted to be interviewed for the program and was thankfully accepted. Since then, I began to take an online course and I have a 12-page final paper due on Friday which I have not been able to begin to write. Then, last night, Faith came. She’s a new teacher at the school I teach at and also new to the country. I offered to host her since there are two extra rooms in the house but I knew it would mean giving up my time to do my paper. I had to exercise my faith and believe that I will get that paper written anyway. Tomorrow, I will work on it and it will get completed before Friday. I am being sure of what I hope for.

This morning, Faith and I went to church, then we spent the rest of the day together shopping, running errands, eating, napping, praying, and eventually, getting her to where she’s staying.

She asked me how Eng and I met and I narrated how we met in three different line-ups at York University. I told her how after Eng first saw me, he wrote the date on his Bible beside Proverbs 31, about the wife of noble character. The date was to mark when he started to ask the Lord to grant me to be his wife. He had faith! I remember how odd it was then that I would see him from afar on campus and think to myself that I wouldn’t mind marrying him. I hadn’t really even known him then! What a strange thought! And no, I didn’t think that of every man then that I was attracted to! Eng was the only man ever that earned that thought from me!

In Matthew 17:20, it says if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can say to a mountain to move and it will move. Nothing will supposedly be impossible for us. Eng and I didn’t go out on a date until a year and a half later after we met but his faith indeed moved me! =)

I am excited that faith came to me and that Faith symbolized it. I see it now. I understand. I was just writing Eng and telling him that talking out our differences is hard work but that we should do it for the sake of relating better. It’s easier to give up and not bother but it doesn’t lead to growth in our relationship. Eng’s faith brought us together but it is my faith that will keep us together. We had our relational difficulties and the last time we were here, there was a real strain in our marriage. However, I am sure that as I hope for a relationship with truly knitted hearts, it will happen. I am certain that it will. With the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible for us! Thank you, Jesus, for interceding, and praise you, Papa God, for answering our prayers. =)

Old and New Friends

You move. We want more.
You speak. We want more.
You move. We want more
We want the fullness.
from the song "Shekinah Glory" by Cory Asbury
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snQQhszgSC8&feature=related

I mentioned on the June 12th posting (“Home”) that of the 17 friends that I left last year, only four are in town. Seven of them left for good and the other six will arrive back here at different times (one as late as April 2013). The four in town were themselves away at various times so it’s been very quiet. Thankfully, I’m getting to know new people and my oldest friend (the one I’ve known the longest in Thailand) is back from her own Home Assignment. =) I can see that although replacements of friends can never really happen, new ones will be there to love, and be loved by, in the future.

In the quiet of the last few weeks, I’ve learned to appreciate new types of friends. Songs always seem to evoke all kinds of emotions from me. Each special tune that plays on my computer have become like friends paying me a visit. Our dog Fudge has been a perfect companion. She’s quiet, always where I am, and hardly ever complains about anything! She cannot see very well off her left eye but she is her usual self. Now that she is 10 years old, she’s a LOT slower. It takes her longer to finish her food and instead of leading our walks, she walks lesser distances and behind me. Because the life span of English Cocker Spaniels can be between 10-15 years, I am purposely enjoying her as long as I’m able to.

Like the volleyball “Wilson” in the movie “Castaway” starring Tom Hanks, a batik dancing girl on a square white cloth would every now and then seem to beckon to me to

worship. I hung her on the screen of the living room window so sometimes the wind would make her sway. Each time she does, I cannot resist going over to the keyboard beside her to sing and play. This has worked perfectly since day or night, no one gets bothered by us!

The other day, one of my friends here made me salad with grilled shrimp and fish. She served it with iced tea as we sat in her living room with their air conditioner on watching a very encouraging documentary about how God is moving in different parts of the world. The movie made me cry several times. Just thinking about it warms my heart. That time not just nourished my body but my spirit! Papa God told her exactly what to do because it was perfect! Another friend who lives in the US woke up at 7 a.m. so she could Skype with me and we chatted for 3 hours! She herself was going through a challenging time but she still made herself available to me when she found out what I was going through. And then my best friend in high school who lives in Manila not just thought of coming here to celebrate my birthday with me but she actually booked her flights! A part of me can’t believe she’s really coming. And I can’t explain why these friends did what they’d done. I don’t know what I’d done for them! I really believe it’s the Holy Spirit in them loving me.

And this brings me to my newest friend, the Holy Spirit. I’ve been relating with Papa God and Jesus, I know. The Holy Spirit, though, is someone I’m really just beginning to get to know intimately. It is ironic that the one who lives inside me is the one I know the least. I am glad for this realization! Holy Spirit, I look forward to getting to know You better. Please reveal yourself to me. Help me hear you well and know You more. In my becoming aware of Your Holy Trinity, You are the one I must learn more about. Thank you, that you do want to be known and to be my new best friend. Amen!