{Simply Grateful 12/5/2007}

  • for sons who are willing and able to do a temporary fix to my van (the radiator fluid burst just as I was pulling into the driveway; it was an alarming sight as it steamed and leaked all over the front}
  • that the car mishap happened at home and not in the middle of my school bus service
  • for a sweet darling daughter who, at my stressful moment, says to me "mom breathe remember you're too blessed to be stressed" (we saw this quote while shopping for a present for the birthday of a classmate last Saturday)
  • christmas shopping started yesterday and halfway done
  • halfway done with christmas cards
  • for my son, Phil, who after his review session last Sunday, bought our christmas tree and put it up
  • for a chance to decorate the tree with Isabella
  • for a quality time with Ian last Monday
  • for my son, Immanuel, who put up outdoor christmas lights

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/05/2007 0 comments  

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The Presence of Love

Notes from today's service at New Life Church:

What is it that you really want for Christmas?

What will your focus be this Christmas?
...Presents? Or, Presence?

lyrics to:
Presence (My Heart's Desire)
by Furler, Taylor, Hughes

Chorus
Come O Lord and fill up my life
With the light of Your presence
This is my heart's desire
Oh Father come and let Your Spirit abide
I long for Your presence
This is my heart's desire

Verse 2
I long to be washed
In the well of Your mercy
I long to be warmed
By the fire of Your glory
I long for Your presence
I long for Your healing touch

Ending
Lord You're my desire

1. God is the source of love

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world tocondemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:16-17

2. Love responds with compassion

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

3. Compassion brings glory to God

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 11/30/2007 0 comments  

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{Simply Grateful} 11/24/2007

for the discipline of solitude and silence (much needed especially during times when I get caught up in overwhelming projects)

for the strength to carry out a vision for an improved kitchen

for not losing sight of my ultimate divine vision allowing balance and joy along the way

for an intimate thanksgiving lunch, full of grace and love, with my wondeful family

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 11/24/2007 0 comments  

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{Simply Grateful} 11/01/2007

....for a sweet 40th birthday in the company of my whole family
....for touching well wishes from friends and family closest to my heart
....for a fun time trick or treating with Belle, Ian and Russ
....for a nice bonding time with Ian
....for Immanuel's safety on halloween night away from home
....for Phil's continued diligence and pride in his work
....for the twinkle in my mom's eyes

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 11/01/2007 0 comments  

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I am 40!

Things I have learned...

Don't freak...seek
Don't think less of yourself...think of yourself less

Humility is confidence rightly placed

Prayer is not a way to draw God's attention to our needs.
It is a way to draw our attention to how much we need God.

a fave verse from Philippians 4: 6-7
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace is not the absence of conflict
but the handling of conflict without loss of balance
-Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro

It's all about love

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Matthew 22: 37-40

Without love,
our words are noise,
our spiritual gifts amount to nothing,
and our greatest sacrifices lose their meaning.

Love is the bottom line

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 11/01/2007 0 comments  

{Simply Grateful} 10/27/2007

....for a fun family time at the beach (Pumpkins on the Pier)

....for the soothing loveliness of our blooming rose garden


God hath not promised
Skies ever blue,
Flower strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
-Annie Johnson Flint

My prayer:

Dear God,
Right now these flowers are in bloom
Soon they will wither and fall but they will bloom again
As I delight in the constant renewal of life
may it serve as a silent reminder of your promise
not of flower strewn pathways all our lives through
but of your constant presence and undying love
and help me remember that though we plant and water,
it is you who provides the life and growth.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/27/2007 0 comments  

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{Simply Grateful} 10/22/2007

....for an opportunity to share a church friend's grief and show our love and support in her time of loss
....for Isabella's memorable birthday (through the graciousnes of ate Cecile she will forever remember and rave of watching the HS Musical on ice with her BFF on her 8th bday)
....for a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate covered pretzels from thoughtful ate Pinky that came in an opportune time of my chocolate fit
....for a wonderful dinner full of FUN (through the kindness of ate Pinky) in the company of my BFF and her whole family (it was very nice meeting her beautiful and wise mom & dad for the first time)
....for a chance to witness the joy in the sweet eyes of two wonderful girls as they spend time together during a sleep-over and most of Sunday
....for hope as my "lost sheep" start showing some signs of maturity
....for a safe drive back

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/22/2007 0 comments  

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Bench of comfort

He sits down beside me
and puts His arm around me
His comforting strength wrapped around me
like a soothing blanket
Speaking to me with such tenderness and compassion
helping me to be aware of everything around me
showing me things I need to see
pointing my thoughts toward a new perspective...

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/10/2007 1 comments  

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Dance with Jesus

When you stumble,
fall on Jesus.
When you are lonely and your sadness is unbearable,
cry to Jesus.
When you are happy and you can't contain your joy,
dance with Jesus.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/10/2007 0 comments  

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{Simply Grateful} 10/09/2007

for a chance to watch the sunset with Isabella after her dance class
for a friend who inspires me to take photographs
and who continues to encourage me to write from my heart


Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/10/2007 0 comments  

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A Sense of God

As inspired by: {Spiritual Awakening}

In the beginning
a sense of God...
handed down from generations
of traditions,
of beliefs and practices.

As time went by
life's distractions got in the way.
Pursuing possessions,
storing treasures on earth,
clouding that sense of the One
Who created it all.

Then a threat of losing it all
knocked me off my stupor.
A sudden emptiness
gave way to a longing
to bring back that sense
of the One Who gave it all.

The hunger for possessions
gave way to a yearning
for that sense of the One
Who provides for all I need
Who loves me unconditionally
Who forgives me and welcomes me back.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/08/2007 0 comments  

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A True friend

You know you have a true friend
when you feel safe...
...to call for no reason
...to unload your bundle of irritations
...to share a humorous and embarrassing moment
...to just be yourself

With a true friend there is rest, comfort and acceptance of your soul

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/04/2007 1 comments  

Miracle in a Normal Day

The whirl of day-to-day activities...

...getting the children up and ready for school
...preparing breakfast
...driving them to school
...doing dishes
...cleaning house
...paperwork, bills and phone calls
...picking up the kids
...supervising homework
...taking them to classes and practices

then starting all over again the next day

at times overpowering

at times overwhelming

Thank you, dear Lord, for leading me to a beautiful quiet place




where I can...

...find time to slow down and decompress
...find peace and tranquility
...find respite to gather strength for the day
...find You, feel your presence and hear Your voice

whispering to me
opening my heart
enlightening my soul

for these, my whirl of day-to-day activities,
are opportunities to give unconditional love

bringing me to the realization
that my everyday living
ordinary as it may be
is an extraoridnary testimony
to Your faithfulness and love.

Dear God,

Thank you for showing me the miracle in a normal day.

Bench of comfort

A Noble Duty

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/04/2007 1 comments  

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Beauty of Nature

The beauty that abound
beckons my spirits
and whispers to my soul...




Slow down
don't let the beauty of nature slip by unnoticed



Take time
pay attention to the handiwork of the Creator



Take pleasure
revel in the grandeur of His creation



Linger
feel the nearness of God and experience His closeness


Indulge
let the magnificence of His creation nourish your soul

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 9/30/2007 1 comments  

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{On Greatness}

I was blessed with great guests this weekend
thank you ate Cecile, ate Pinky, Nana, Timothy and Krystn
for making us all feel great
and for your great influence

greatness is making others feel great!
-G. K. Chesterton

greatness is not measured by affluence
but by influence
-Pastor Ron Salsbury

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 9/30/2007 0 comments  

I'm Yours

This is one of my favorite worship songs
from New Life Church
composed by Kevin Ross

Verse 1
You, O lord
Created me and passioned me
You, O Lord
Have blessed me with ability

Pre-Chorus
So what else can I do
But give myself to You
And let my life display Your wonder
Everything I am is according to Your plan
I'm created to praise You

Chorus
Everything I have is Yours
I wanna live my life for YOur glory
I'm giving You my life, my dreams,
I'm Yours
Everything I hope to be
Is under Your authority
There's no where else I want to be,
I'm Yours

Verse 2
You, O Lord
Laid down your life as a sacrifice
You, O Lord
Have rescued me and set me free

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 9/30/2007 0 comments  

{Simply Grateful} 9/11/2007

for a husband who encourages me to take care of myself and go to the gym
for an opportunity to go to the gym (body flow class)
for a time to be still and renew
for a chance to show my love and support to my mom (helped her take a shower)
for my mom's ankle's slow but sure recovery

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 9/11/2007 0 comments  

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{Simply Grateful} 9/10/2007

for a wonderful weekend at the beach...watching Phil help Belle skimboard
for Immanuel's and mom's safe drive back
for my husband's love and understanding
for Ian's amazing 'out-of-the-blue' words of wisdom
for concerned calls from friends closest to my heart
for turning my weaknesses to draw me closer to You
for a home in a place surrounded by beauty that beckons and woos my spirit to renewal and contentment

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 9/10/2007 0 comments  

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Perfectly Imperfect

as inspired by To Dance With The Lord

I am perfectly imperfect
I know I battle my own demons

the lure
of being in control
of directing circumstances
most especially my loved ones.

the lure
so strong is its pull
and the constant struggle
leaves me drained, weak and dry

for how could my perfectly imperfect self
really control anything?

and in my total surrender
the One truly in control says to me
from John 16:33, Jesus said,
" I have told you these things,
so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I, Jesus, have overcome the world."

The power that created the universe
is bigger than anything in it
all I have to do is
let go and let God.

My external circumstances may or may not change
But only in my total surrender,
in my brokenness,
through my cracks
can the Living Water overflow.

I recognize now
this state of overflowing
requires continual "in-filling"
after all, I am perfectly imperfect,
leaking through my brokenness.

As long as I remember
to let go and let God,
He will bring me back to Him.

In my total surrender
In my perfectly imperfect state
I will dance with the Lord.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 9/09/2007 1 comments  

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Rebellion

I woke up to a gorgeous day today, but my feelings didn’t match the weather. I didn’t get a good night’s sleep last night after having another heated discussion with Immanuel. I was so enraged to my core that even Isabella’s happy disposition irritated me.

Immanuel is so convinced that there is nothing wrong with his spur-of-the-moment, inconsiderate actions. It was as if he wants to prove he does not need guidance. I am so furious I couldn’t change him and make him understand to see things my way.

Then I started having stomach pains and I discovered I have my menstruation. I opened my daily devotional given to me by mom’s angel friend, Tita Rose. On my bookmarked page where I left off before we left for our vacation, it read: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”. The writer was sharing a similar experience she was having with her child. As I read, I felt a release, a moment of understanding, and I realized my own narrow-mindedness and rebellion. I wanted so much for Immanuel to see things my way that I closed my heart and forgot to trust God.

Then I called my friend Paz and shared the experience. As the mother of Immanuel's girlfriend, and having teenagers of her own, we are both walking the same path and going through the same difficulties. She also shared similar experiences personal and otherwise. The conversation provided much needed additional comfort and enlightenment.

Dear God,
Please forgive my rebellion, for wanting things my way
Thank you for sending angel friends and for an uplifting book serving as a reminder.
Please give me the strength I so need to not give up on Immanuel and to have enough left to care for the rest of my children.
Please give Immanuel, myself, and my husband, the strength, patience and wisdom we need to understand each other.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 8/18/2007 1 comments  

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