Set to the “William Tell Overature” (lyrics by Anita Renfroe), with a live orchestra – the MOM SONG!

I heard on the radio that James Dobson’s Focus on the Family laid off 20% of its workforce. Definitely due to the economic downturns, but I assume also because of lesser support from its donors (since FOF is a nonprofit that rely on giving friends).

And in another front, I read a post on how to survive these depressing times. Different writers and experts are telling me(you) a lot of confusing things. Should we put more money into the stock market? Should we hoard cash? Should we buy gold? (HA! Like I even have extra money to start with.)

In dark times like we are in now, there is no assurance that investing into the financial market will get you more money in the long term. There is no security in the banks, or in our investments anymore. It’s mindboggling that the whole foundation of the world’s financial structure rests on “speculations” and fear. Where there is fear of collapse, there shall surely be one. Whoever conceived of the stock market has it so wrong!

How can we survive the recession? Here’s something radical to consider – GIVE AWAY.

Give more. Give beyond your capacity. Give to the Kingdom. This is the only secret to having a secure future.

It’s been proven since time began, that when one gives, the blessings come back beyond measure. If you think your 401K and stocks will get you through to your old age, well how’s this? If you give to God, he will reward you beyond your lifetime. And your children beyond them.

See, God is the one who supplies our every need anyway. He’s the Source of all blessing. He controls the floodgates, and when he opens it, you can be sure the blessings from heaven will be a torrential rain. Oh no, don’t expect just a shower, or “beggar’s food”. It’s a flood. It’s a bountiful harvest. It’s like fishnets ripping open.

But what is asked of us? GIVE. Your whole tithe, your generous gifts, your offerings of thanksgiving. Oy, don’t be stingy! Don’t be worried. Don’t be counting either. Just. GIVE.

And then you’ll have more, and there will not be enough room for it, so says the Lord.

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

Still there is the lack of finances. And yet God, as faithful as He is, tells me not to worry for He provides. And God, as humorous as He is with me, led me to discover coupons.

Yeah, you’re smiling… But coupons are God’s provisions. Just last week, I cut my grocery bills by 40% by shopping with coupons and sales from the local supermarkets. I ran out of dishwasher detergent and went to BJs to buy Bounty papertowels with coupons, then got a big bottle of Cascade for free. I buy myself really good make-up for less than a $1. (Mind you, they’re not from the Dollar Stores). And on good days, they’re more than free. I earn $1-2 on each buy. Tonight, I’m off to Superfresh to get my free $10 worth of meat. Plus, the store is having a meat sale so that small amount of money will stretch us a few days worth of food. 

I could show you my grocery bills and tell you that since I discovered the skill of couponing, I have saved us a lot. I really know it is God’s hand at work. And it’s beautiful.

What does God show you to help you save?

The Philippine All Stars won the 2008 World Hip Hop Dance Competition, wowing judges MC Hammer and Shane Sparks, in Las Vegas this week. The group wore the iconic sun and stars of the Philippine flag during the competition, and you can hear them shouting “Filipino! Filipino!” 

But winning is not everything.

Video courtesy of: Lasvegasweekly.com

It’s giving glory to the One they dance for.

Yup, these are teenagers, seriously dancing hip hop, and totally serving their God through dance. Check out their pastor’s message -

He tells them to be pure and holy in the middle of being world champions. I like his analogy of King Arthur getting the sword out of the anvil. He says it’s not about getting the sword at all, but what you do with the sword after you wield it. Fearlessly, the pastor even corrects a young man about the stuff that comes out of his mouth “from the abundance of his heart.”

They’re making a documentary titled “His-Story” that chronicles the group as they “continue to inspire and uplift other artists around the globe and represent His Story to the fullest”.

I see passion in these Korean youth… Now that’s what hip-hop should be, for the Lord.

Thanks, Conch…

A very simple message, huh, but according to Irwin, that’s what he learned when he encountered God.

(Irwin is one of our young people… there is a lot to be said when a teenager encounters the Living God. His life is changed. Forever.)

Now, that we know the truth…we don’t have to wait for death to gain access to God’s Kingdom. Wonderful, good news!  For the Kingdom of God is within us and among us. (Luke 17:21)  s sir! We are citizens of the kingdom now, because Jesus as our King has dominion over us, right here, right now.  We are actually enjoying the benefits of heaven!  Righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit…prosperity, health and victory.  If we do, then why are other Christians not aware of it? 

Could it be that that some Christians are more absorbed in the kingdom of this world?  It’s a world
that can be seen and touched…and enjoyed.  And for this reason, they haven’t given much thought
of the reality of  the real kingdom – the Kingdom of God. Only if we study and meditate on the Word about what it says about the Kingdom of God will we become more KINGDOM-MINDED. 

As Colossians 3:1-2 says,  “Aim and seek  the rich, eternal treasure that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  And set your minds and keep them set on what is above – the higher things -
not on the things that are on the earth.”(AMP version)

Many us us grew up thinking that we were poor…that we don’t have money as our parents pounded on our heads back in the Philippines.  Lately, we realized, we were not. We ate three square meals a day plus merienda in between. Didn’t you grow up with at least two maids, lavandera, some with houseboys and driver?  Most of us in the Philippines graduated college without a scholarship. Our parents sent us to big cities to go to big universities and safe, clean dormitories, with allowances. All of it comes from the family budget not from government grants. Generally, we are joyful, no matter what comes our way. We are inherently hospitable, friendly, peace-loving and contented people who love and honor the Lord.  We have been dwelling in God’s Kingdom, not knowing we are! The transfer has been made. “God has delivered us out of the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love.” Colossians 1:13 (AMP version)

That is good to know. Right?

Ptrs. Benjun and Malou….going forth as one,

Barbara was working on her needlepoint, and I was reading the newspaper. It was any weeknight in America –just the way Norman Rockwell pictured it.

At least it was until our eighth grader, Benjamin, popped his head up from behind his school-assigned book and said, “Dad, I don’t think I should be reading this.”

“What do you mean, buddy?” I asked.

“This story–it’s got some pretty graphic details about a man and a woman in it. You know, sex!” He blushed a bit and shot a nervous glance at his mom, who nearly jabbed her finger with that sewing needle.

“Let me see that book,” I said. Quickly flipping through a few pages, I could see right away why he was concerned. He was dead on. This book was explicit and graphic as it spun a romantic tale.

As it turned out, we were able to help him get an alternate assignment. After his teacher originally threatened him with a zero for not reading this particular book, we came to a meeting of the minds and were happy with the result. But nothing made us happier than seeing our son’s conscience in action, knowing that at 14 he already had an acute sense of right and wrong–and the courage to choose what he knew was best.

I can promise you that living-room stories like these don’t happen without lots of work on the part of parents. Lots of Scripture. Lots of prayer together. Lots of offhand conversations, teachable moments and direct disciplinary actions.

If you’re doing it right, parenthood often means being a pain to your children, interfering with what they want. But those early years of character development are so important. That’s when you play the role of your children’s consciences–calling them, training them, prodding them on to a higher good, helping them learn the value of refusing evil.

Discuss
How have you seen your children’s consciences fire into action?

Pray
Pray that the Lord will always keep your kids’ consciences tender to His touch.

Taken from Moments Like This. Dennis Rainey.

image: sxc

A fatal tumor was found in the fetus of Keri McCartney, bigger than the baby herself and robbing needed blood for her to completely develop. So the doctors at Texas Children’s Hospital performed what would be a medical miracle!

Modern medicine may be capable of doing the “quasi-impossible”, but the Lord is the Giver of Life and the Great Physician.

Yup. God really does have other plans for this baby Macie Hope, and that’s why she’s alive today.