God's right timing

Have you been upset and frustrated when God is not answering your prayer and even wondering how come He is not doing something for quite long? Because we do not understand God's timing. Here are some tips on how to be stressed out and deal with the problem of WAITING.

• Keep in mind that God is in control of everything and He is planning for the perfect time.
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• Wait with good attitude and expectancy.
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• Be positive. Knowing that God has great things in store.
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• Do not be upset, frustrated and always avoid the attitude of complaining.
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• If you know that it is worth waiting for then enjoy your life while waiting for the right time.
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• Be happy while God is processing things.
  
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• Relax and enjoy your lives.
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• Do not struggle and figure everything out. Do not wonder why something is not happening according to your plan.
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• Rest and trust God.
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• If you are not seeing God in your plan then think the two possibilities: 1) your requests may not be God's best or 2) it is not the right time
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• God is working to a certain situation that is connected to your prayer. You might be ready but the person involve to your plan is not.
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• Do not try to force to open all doors and make things happen using your own strength.
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• Be patient and let God bring His plan. Never stop praying.
  

'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a FUTURE.' Jeremiah 29:11

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prayer time at home, together? how?

It is really hard to start or to decide a daily devotion of having a family prayer like doing it together because of the busy schedule and different priorities as well. But it is important to start a routine. How?

• Make your prayer short and simple.
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• Use some ready-made devotional prayer. Those are materials that you can buy or copy from the church or some religious group.
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• Find some resources that are prepared specifically for children.
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• Prayer can take place anywhere, anytime but it is important to establish one set place to use each time. This will develop a sense of routine for the children.
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• Choose a place that is free from distractions.
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• Do not choose a time that will disrupt the regular activities of your children because it could lead to resentment and later on will defeat the purpose of devotion time.
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• Family come together during mealtime. It is the ideal time to start a short prayer.
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• Another good time is in the evening of Wednesday where everyone can pray the holy rosary. This will create a prayerful atmosphere.
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Sometimes as a parent, we should find a way that a family could stay together. There is a beautiful quote ' A family that prays together, stays together'.

How to handle your PATIENCE?

Are you a Dad that really can not wait or hate delays or easily frustrated for something that is sometimes unreasonable to be impatient? Then you are not alone (he he he). I don't know if it is really hereditary or someone acquire it from the environment. What I only know is being impatient is not a good example to our kids, friends and also to HIM. If it is also your struggle then I have some tips that might help or even lessen the difficulty.
(**picture courtesy of Flickr )

1. Avoid STRESS - do not accomplish a certain task or act too much as if it will be the end of the world. Prioritize the things to be done at home. You are not a robot that could do everything or anything. If you can see some problems at home like something to be repaired or the lawn has to be cut or cook some food for the kids then do not be stressed. Prioritizing some task at home is the only solution to avoid it.
   
2. Weigh the PROS and CONS - try to asses the situation first. You must have the ability to see the big PICTURE. Ask yourself WHY first. Do not blurt out first because the consequences might be negative. Pause and think for what you want to say, to avoid hurting or offending someone.
   
3. Be COMPASSIONATE - learn to take responsibility for other feeling and well-being. If you have compassionate heart then you have the ability to help those people who are in pain.
   
4. Learn the PROCESS - doing something at home is a process. Sometimes it needs much time to accomplish. Do not have this attitude of 'rush rush rush'. It will only ruin your nice day with your kids and wife. Slow down!
   
5. WAIT - it is about having FAITH, be patient and believing in your goals. Let go of the disbelief and doubt in achieving your goal.
   

HE will support and always there to help achieve the things you desire.
BE PATIENT!

The real meaning of JOY

Being a Dad and husband at the same time has been a great task that could be sometimes full of JOY! Did someone ask himself 'how come I can not feel the joy within my heart?' Is there emptiness? Then try to examine yourself because it is not yet late to be happy.

- How do you prioritize your life? Do you know what your priorities are? Is it your career first or your family above everything?

- Do you have personal satisfaction? Are you contented at the moment or still longing for something that could affect your lifestyle as Dad and partner of your wife.?

- How do you compromise yourself to your family?

- Did you ever think that the material things that you have are just temporary happiness and the true one are your kids and spouse?

- How about the burdens of your life? Did you ever cast all your burdens to HIM? (Psalm 55:22)

Being a Dad and also having a 'great career' in life is not really easy. But we could have the JOY in life if we give importance to our FAMILY.

Do not close your door!

Afraid of something? Thinking that what you had before will be the same future for your kids? What if your past is not the ideal one? Will you allow it to happen also to your kids? Definitely not! But how come you always have the doubt within your heart. Ever been asking God why?

God never again opens the doors that have been closed. He opens other doors,but he remind us that there are doors which we have shut - doors which had no need to be shut.

Dad out there, never be afraid when God brings back your past. Let your bad memories have its way with you.

average grades in school exams, who cares!

Why is it so hard for some parents especially to a father if his son/daughter could only give an average grade? Because the expectation is so high and the tendency is making a negative comment any good relationship will be ruined.

If you are a father that is so successful from the start like getting high-flying grades, having a nice job, living in luxury, meeting famous people, being well known for some achievements blah blah, can you accept the fact that your son/daughter well give you only average grades or sometimes failing grades? A BIG NO RIGHT?

But you can accept it easily without any pain from your heart. How?

'...do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what will you drink, nor about your body, what you will put on' Matthew 6:25

Do not take the pressure upon yourself. It is not only wrong to worry, it is unbelief, worrying means we do not believe that God can look after the practical details of our kids lives.

Before : 'J how was your exam in Math?'
'Hmmmm 3.0'
'What!! You are not going to watch TV for one month and you will not get any allowance!

After: 'J how was your exam in Math?'
'Hmmmm 3.0'
'Is it really difficult? Try your best next time ok?'

'J you should study harder coz you will have a better future!'

One of my favorite Christian book as of the moment is 'The Utmost for the Highest' by Oswald Chambers. It was given to us by our dear kumpare and kumare (J's Ninong & Ninang) and also our previous leader in CFC who has been a friend, 'guardian angel' and adviser when it comes to our personal relationship with HIM. My precious time to read this book is not bedtime, not also when alone but when I am going to work in the morning while riding in ÖBB. Imagine, 35 minutes travelling from home to office, that would be a great time for me. One of the best passage that I always admire is 'Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you' Matthew 6:33

I am a person who always worried on how to live, thingking of certain amount of money ('I must be clothed! I must be fed') Sometimes my great concern is not the kingdom of God but how am I going to take care of myself, my family, my kids, my work, etc. Jesus reversed it and He likes if I get the right relationship with God first, making it as the primary concern of our lives and never to place our concern on other things in life.

'J how come you are not so serious about your studies, you have to think son that your good future depends upon on how you studied and be focused. You will have a better future son if you have a high profession. You can buy expensive things and when the time comes that you will have your own family, they will not have a miserable life if you will study and finish a high degree' words that always came out to my mouth when J is not learning seriously. But how about God's plan, I believe He has so much good plan for J, M and for every kid out there.