Forgive and Forget

Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Mt 18:22)

We are always asked to forgive and forget but truly how easy it it? In the Gospel Jesus told us to forgive seventy seven times.  Is that really that easy to do in order to forgive and forget!

The next time you hear the phrase think of it, ponder on the words.

If someone hurts you how easy do you forget? You may say I forgive you but honestly when something reminds you about the situation you get that angry feeling again and the hurts and emotions consume you once more. True right? Yes trust me I know.  That is where Jesus wise words comes into play.  He wants that every time we feel the pain or reminded about the situation to look within our hearts and forgive again and again and again even if it take seventy seven times.

So let's try that the next time we forgive or remember something that hurt us to ask God for the grace to forgive and to forget.

Love and blessing
Kali

Pet Peeve

Do you have a pet peeve or peeves? What do you do when it takes place? Do you grumble and pout, get angry at the situation or simply walk away?

My pet peeve?

From as long as I know being on time meant reaching 5-10 minutes before time given and if you reach at the time given you were late.  Yea my dad different so but then he instilled something in me that would last a lifetime.

Lateness gets on my nerve and to me you have to be on time to show respect to people.  However it has been something I have been faced with on numerous occasions and don't know how to get over it but I've been getting there with some simple steps.

I read a blog recently where the guy's pet peeve was the same as mine.   His wife however, took hours to get ready.  Over time he got over it with the thinking that well I love my wife and the people can wait.  To me that was the hardest thing to accept, why should you be late for a meeting, an appointment or even church!

With deep thought and discussions I came up with a conclusion that would help me with my pet peeve or any for that matter.

 1. Just say one simple but powerful word: Jesus!

 2. When you're faced with the pet peeve think of it as a mirror. Am I late at times and no one makes a fuss. What do I do that may be someones pet peeve?

3. Breath and slowly count to 10 and back to one if you have too.

4. Smile. A big broad one ( this helps me)

So you see the next time you are faced with your pet peeve try the simple but effective steps and who knows it would  become like nothing to you after that

Peace, love and blessings
Kali

God is Love

I sit I wonder, I ponder! How can we be loved so much that our sins are forgiven yet we say we love and do not forgive.  I always love how Rev Run ends his texts "God is love, love Run" Everything he says has meaning

"God is love"

Numerous times in the bible we see where God shows his infinite Love. Not only in the ever popular verse " God loved the world so much He gave his only begotten son to die for our sins..." but in the many examples when Jesus healed, spent time, laughed and most of all preached. He did not discriminate, he did not say "I'm tired", he never said " just now".  With him it was always about Now and the person he was dealing with.  So yes God is indeed Love and his love is real.

"Love Run, Kali, Susie, bob, nana......"

Love! A four letter word that can make things go right or wrong. It is one word that causes people to stutter, do wierd things and act differently.  But truly what is it to say and show Love? Do we go out of our way to help someone? Do we do everything in our power to do something for someone? Do we not think of ourselves but of the person or people that may be affected. Do we wish we had the power to heal so someone would not be in pain? Do we?

So then we know God is love; though the words, actions, deeds of Jesus; The word made flesh, and all the people He touched.  That's the easy part but now we must be able to Sign "Love...." and have similar words, actions and deeds as Jesus did.  I'm not saying it would be easy but to be like someone we read up on them, learn their moves and know them on an intimate level. So what are you waiting for? You want to show love right?  Well let's get to know about the ultimate love and the man who showed it.


God is love... Love Kali

PS find a site that wld help in reflecting on the daily readings or various bible readings and reflections.

 I use various ones such as:
     1. Silent Insight, Daily Catholic Meditations- simple mediattions for each day to get you thinking
     2. Three minute retreat from Loyola press: to get away from your busy day in just 3 minutes 
     3. The Kerygma Family (Bo Sanchez)- A Filipino who has his own Charismatic ministry

 

Take me to where you need me

There I go thinking of you
Lying awake with nothing to do
All I want is some shut eye
But not for nothing will I

Long day pass long day ahead
Work is what? Is it in my head
Don't know why but the question is there
What do I do oh dear

Mission for u, mission for me, mission for humanity
To help others when I can't even help me

Lord o lord lift me
Take me, purify me
Open my heart, my ears, my eyes
Help me to not be that broken child

To you I turn in time of need
To you I run but do I get on my knee?
To you I say please forgive me
I've turn away but I need thee

Take me back to that place
So I  may not be tuning around like the rest of the human race

Grab me, hold me, consume me
Take control and lead me

I love you Lord and I need thee
Take me to where u need me be


Kali
November 27th 2010

Purpose

The smile u bring
The love u share
The feeling u give
Makes it all clear

At times it's hard
At times it's so unclear
At times I don't understand
Be He knows I'm there

Fulfilling my purpose
What I am supposed to be
To love, respect and honour thee
To be the wife I'm supposed to be

Kali
July 29th 2011

Be Me

It's all about me
No not the me you want me to be
Or the one society deemed me be
Certainly not the one you think I should be

Be me! The way He wants me to be
Ever changing always turning
Fine Tuning and tweeking
Out with the old and in with the new
The new me that He wants me to be

Intelligent, Inquisitive, the know why and how lady
The one with hips and butt that's big
The one who reads and could stay away
I'm that lady that He wants me to be

Not the partier
Nope not the over drinker
Love to eat but not that much either
I'm unique, I'm different, I'm open and closed at the same time

You made me and so I'm just going to be......BE ME!

Kali
August 28th 2011

Im back...Struggling but gaining Strength

It sure has been a while, but the writing has been a deep issuse for me.  Guess most of what I wrote was filled with anger and hate and I really  do not want that to be placed here on a Renewed blog.  Life has really slapped me in the face once again but the realisation is there.

I do have somethings I wrote a while now and one I wrote recently so read away and enjoy!

Who knows I wld even blog about that time that the hate came out and was placed on paper.

Wit His love
Kali

'Beautiful Saviour' Planetshakers

Time to Change

When you turn back to him with all your heart, to do what is right before him, Then he will turn back to you, and no longer hide his face from you. So now consider what he has done for you, and praise him with full voice. Bless the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the King of the ages. In the land of my exile I praise him, and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation. "Turn back, you sinners! do the right before him: perhaps he may look with favor upon you and show you mercy. (Tobit 13:6)

There are times in life that change befalls us, we either take the decision to change or we stay where we are.  Most of us are scared of change, many of us would not want to, some of us will change, others will go back to where we were because we don't like the change and still there are a few who would stick it out and work with the change.

I've always loved the book "who moved my cheese" , main reason?  Its the story of our life.  We either stick to a routine and do the same thing everyday at the same time or we rush around looking for something else to do or in time of need we move on and search for the next step. 

I have reached the point in my life where I feel change is needed, I have sensed it for some time now but it was and still is very hard to make that move to change.  The last three years of my life has all been for the youth of TnT, the Caribbean and my ministry of CFC Youth for Christ.  How could I turn away, how could I move and leave them alone, how could I how could I. After many adoration times, tears, days of desolation I realised that I was not leaving anyone behind but my movements, my change was actually helping these same youths.  How? well I was giving them the opportunity to stand up on their own, the opportunity to let the seed that was planted grow, I have to now just continue to water them.  Too much water drowns plants, too little dries them up, just the right amount ensures they flourish.  So I have to let them flourish.

This change would also give me time to continue my renewal, renewal of body, mind and especially Spirit.  I must take care of my body inside and out.  The way I eat, sleep,exercise and groom,  I must continue to build up my mental capabilities and keep the brain waves active. I sure must continue to grow in the Spirit.  Deepen my prayer life even more, keep the word afresh in my mind, fast and pray for that growth and continue to share my simple wealth of time, treasure and talent with all. 

That time is now...so I challenge you!! Do you think its time for that change in your life?  Its time to get out of that desolation and find your consolation...find that place that He is calling you to....time for change

I leave with a chant made up by two dynamic persons who I look up to in different ways (guess they may know now after this blog if they read it)


Time to Change
Time to Change
Tobit 13:6
Time to give Satan real licks
Power his own, Majesty Shown
Sinful Nations overthrown

Kali

Renewed!!!

<This was written in 2009 before I returned home from mission training in the Philippines, I made a few grammar changes>

I sit and wonder why does my heart beat so fast, why do I smile even when I'm doing the worst job or tired, how come I am happy and cheerful and love life. There has been alot changes in my life. I have grown patient, I have accepted things with ease, I have become closer to God and He has allowed me to love more, love deeply and love unconditionally. Tears flow, smiles are formed, yes is shouted out and No is shut in, I have come a long way since January 4 2009 and I know I have a long way still to go.

I returned home from the Philippines renewed and ready, ready for any challenge that may come my way. I returned ready to teach and learn, learn from my past how to move on in the future, I returned ready to forgive and love, love like Jesus said too.

The hard part about returning home is that I returned home changed but home may not of changed. I returned to reality where time did not stop or change may not of taken place. I returned home to the biggest challenge ever.....not trying to change home but showing home how I have changed.

Relationships may be tested cause of this and I may not see it at first because I was away for so long, but my prayer right now is that my change would just bring love to all around me, love so that I may not feel better or worst than others, love so that I may help others and accept help from them, love so that I may grow with them as God wants me to. Love so that I may love them unconditionally.

This may be hard but I am ready for the challenge, I am Renewed!!!

overlooking the China Sea

Perfect Love- Hillsong United w/lyrics

More for the Poor...Less for the Rich

Sad eyes watch me as I exit the car, hands outstretch the tiny voice begs me. We will watch the car the voice says. My heart bleeds, my eyes water, my voice trembles as I want to just give. I want to give my all to them. I want to open the car and say come in, look take these clothes, take this food, just take, please take, take it all….sigh

Then reality sets in, this is their world. They sleep on the streets, they beg and they huddle together or on cardboard for warmth. They know no school, they know no home, and some know no parents, but these streets they sure know. Street Children they are called but they are God’s Children. They are our brothers and sisters and they need to be treated so. I want to hold them all and say it is okay, let us go home.

The streets of Philippines are filled with them, and they walk the streets as we walk our bedrooms. This is their home, their bedroom. There is hope though, there has been change, cause as we were told to Love one another as He loved us, we are also told to ‘Forget what lies behind, and strain forward for what lies ahead, to continue our pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus’. We were told to Move forward in Christ. To hold these little children and with Christ we would be able to move forward.

Jesus told us that unless we accept the kingdom of God as a child we would not enter into it. We must humble ourselves. So instead of feeling sorry and sad for them, I behave like them. I beg my God, I ask my papa to give me what I need in this world, what he wants of me. I look to him with child like eyes and in a trembling voice I ask him “Please papa please… I honour you and come to you just as the children in the street came to me”

There is hope in all things, as God answered prayers through Gawad Kalinga (Giving care). GK is a social ministry under Couples for Christ and has been working with various partner groups to ensure that they can give care to persons all over Philippines. It is also established in the US as well as Papa New Guinea and other CFC countries. I was told before I left TnT that I would want to do all for these children and it would hurt my heart just seeing them. It sure did, but I also wanted to do more for my country, for my sweet TnT. For the children who can not go to school because they have to go look for food, for the families that do not know where their next meal is coming from. For the youths who do not know where to turn and end up in the hands of the drug dealers, I have hope and I know I can bring hope, may or may not be in my life time, but surely in God’s time.

I am ready for the challenge; I am ready to help that little child who cried out to me, I am ready to save my sweet TnT. God was always ready, so now let us be ready.

More for the poor, less for the rich and for sure there would be enough for everyone. Let us do our part now!

To the Ends of the Eath-My Story

We are closing off leaders retreat, and we started to sing a song we just learnt. I sang my heart out, and while hugging some of the other leaders, comforting them I felt it. I knelt and here it was. My heart began to ache and the song was etched in my heart forever. I became ‘still and listened’:

Love unfailing
Overtaking my heart
You take me in
Finding peace again
Fear is lost
In all you are

And I would give the world to tell Your story
Cause I know that You've called me
I know that You've called me
I've lost myself for good within Your promise
I won't hide it
I won't hide it

Jesus, I believe in You
And I would go to the ends of the earth
To the ends of the earth
For You alone are the Son of God
And all the world will see
That You are God
You are God


My mind was made up. There on Mount Saint Benedict 2 years ago I said my first yes and was nicknamed MI2..Missionary in two years. We laughed at it, we said yea man once University over with. I left that weekend with that first yes instilled in me. I helped anyway I could even while in school, which can be so hard with all the school work while planning camps and conferences.

My first yes was not forgotten. At a youth leaders and coordinators meeting, we once again ended the day with that song. This time tears were in my eyes, I really listened to the words and with the voice of an angel next to me singing (Kwasi ..RIP) I fell again. This time in the silence of my heart I said my second yes.

“I would go to the ends of the earth for you” – not literally I said after claiming the song as my all time favorite song. Just so that YFC TnT would flourish as best as it can, that I’ll help out in my parish, that I’ll make myself available to the Catholic Youth Secretariat to help in any event they need me for. Yes! My second yes was fulfilled. God probably said “Ok your wish is my command”, because my oh my the work never stopped since then. I complained and got stressed, but I realized that because of the work I did, when I did not complain school work was easy and when I let the work consume me it took a toll on the work and I was stressed out by the projects, and my oh my I had projects.

May 14th 2008 my last exam for my BSc at the University of the West Indies. A few days vacation with my girls, then it was on to my true mission. June 1st 2008 I officially became a Full Time Worker (FTW) with Couples for Christ and its family Ministries. In July 2008 I was on my way to St Lucia to help out for CFC Caribbean Conference and YFC Conference. There I faced ups and downs, with culture, my life, my spirituality, and my relationships. That is where another yes was made and I wrote a short affirmation:

“My mission here on earth? No not to take over the world like Pinkie and the Brain, but to let God take over my world. I have started my year service doing mission and today was the first day I felt like screaming and crying. The tears were in my heart but it was to be tears of joy as I realised that what I was feeling was God's affirmation of what is to come. "Change" happens and through that we have to 'Hope in the Lord' and with 'Loving one another as he loves us' we would make our "Mark in Christ". So I'll "Speak the word and Live the Faith" and trust in my Lord my God as I Shout, Cry and Praise OUT LOUD.”

One again God said “Your wish is my command” …”you asked for it so I’ll hand you on a platter”……Geeze He really listens boy. Cause that third yes lead to the ultimate Yes yet. The one that would have me leaving my comfort zone and going ‘To the end of the earth’, this time literally. YFC Conference was themed “Marked by Christ” and my word that has been the best Conference I have ever been a part of. 90+ youth from St Lucia, St Maarten, St Vincent and Trinidad filled the school hall, singing, clapping, and showing love to each other. The last day of our conference my first mission partner (unofficially) and first male Filipino Missionary to the Caribbean, Jonathan, asked us to forgive those in our presence who may of hurt us. Even though it pertained to some of us present we were hugging everyone and imagine all these youths crying and hugging because the presence of God was within us. The word that made me say this forth yes, this ultimate yes was said to me by my Co-Conference head partner “Look after the Caribbean”. With tears in my tears I shouted out my fourth yes in my heart.

So from two years to now, I’ve been saying yes and everything has been flowing with minor ups and downs. I now know that nothing ever goes smoothly, because we look at it from our eyes and how we want it and not through God’s eyes and how he wants it. I leave January 3rd 2009 to go to Mission Training in the Philippines and it has never been a smooth ride since the day I sat with my country head and told them I said yes. Embassies, Visa applications, airlines, tickets…nothing went how we wanted it. I was stressed, I had headaches, I cried, I said why? On December 31st 2008 at 10.20am everything fell in place, I had everything I needed in hand, visas, tickets etc. On January 3rd 2009 at 8am, I leave TnT not sad but overwhelmed, excited, a bit scared and yes ok a bit sad, but I leave TnT to fulfill that first Yes when I said to God “I’ll go to the End of the Earth for you”