Discerning God's Will in Your Life

I just want to share something I learned few years ago about discerning God’s will in your life using the Sound Mind Principle, the bible gives us a principle for discerning God’s will in matters not addressed by direct command or related principles. We know that, most of God’s will for us is revealed in scriptures. The term sound mind is also translated as “discipline.” The idea of discipline in the Bible is “making right choices.” Thus the idea of sound mind is having our thought process renewed and under the control of the Holy Spirit. It is far more than common sense.   (Romans 12:2  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ) There is a part when we were asked to use the sound mind principle pro-con chart. The chart will help you evaluate the value of every decision you make (which you have listed) in God’s perspective. Below is the screen shot of a chart done as one of my requirement in NLD Leadership Training. 

Sept 10, 2008 - Facilitated by Sis. Marion Dionisio

TAKE NOTE 
This chart was done 10 years ago September 2008

KUWAIT option under CONS "no extra time for other church gatherings" 
Reason: Because on that year i was still working in a salon as a Receptionist

AUSTRALIA option under PROS "can give more time serving God" 
Reason: Because i haven't seen the situation i thought that i will indeed have time

Fortunately, on 2011 I left the salon and entered office work which gave me ME LOTS OF TIME for church activities. (8 hours, 7am - 3pm duty, Friday & Saturday off, off for all officially declared Holidays)

  A Childhood Dream

1. Did you ever had a shared dream with a loved one since childhood? I do
2. Was it a very long time dream that you thought of leaving it behind? Nope
3. Did it almost came into reality, but you suddenly realized that the person to whom you have a shared dream with, has already decided to give up? Yes

To those who know me well, they can attest that, giving up is not in my vocabulary. But as it is clearly stated in Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3:6 .. “There’s a time for everything .. Time to search and a time to give up.”  

My Melbourne dream started when I was still 12 years old. From then on, we waited, hoped and prayed for it. Many have lost hope, many started to discourage me, but I, never loosed hope. Seeing Australia from the sky just made my tears fall. I just can’t help it, suddenly I was crying really hard inside the plane. Imagine, it took almost 30 years, before I finally set my foot on the grounds of Melbourne. At last, the Lord has heard our prayer. I thought that it was the beginning of a new stage in our lives... but I was wrong. Maybe I came a bit late, maybe God just showed to me the final answer to my prayers. It's time to let go off my big hope. Not because I'm not happy with it, but because I have to forget my own dream for the happiness of the person I love most. It may look like a shattered dream but if it is for someone you cared most, for someone who deserves more, someone who deserves the best then I need to give way. I'll be a hypocrite if I say I'm fine. I'm just a human being, I'm hurting inside too. I cried many nights, even had dreams about this, I felt so down, I wanted to shout out loud,  but I should move on.  I know that everything will be easier if I learn to accept the reality. John 8:32 says, Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Knowing the truth might hurt, but it will all  set us free. Today, I’m giving up my Melbourne Dream.

I like to thank the following for being a part of this dream..

1. To my Mom, Flordeliza Santos Boucher a million thanks to you. I know you don’t read much but I hope this one gets to you.. always remember from the very first time I learned the value of gratitude from my heart I know I will and can take care of you until the end. But things just change naturally, I guess there is someone else who will be in-charge of this.
2. To my Nanay, Merlinda Ultado, thank you for crying with me and lifting me up when you felt I was so down.
3. To my Husband, Resty Lomboy, thank you for all the support.
4. To my BFF, Michelle Mozo, even miles apart, even long years of being separated and not seeing each other, thank you thank you thank you so much. You know I cant hide something from you. You know when I’m just pretending to be okay.
5. To the second mother of daughter, Tita Rose Lizo, you know everything from the start until this time that I’m giving up. Thank you for always listening, thank you for the advices. I’m glad I had a friend in you.
6. To Kuya Anson Dionisio, who opened my mind. You might just be joking when you said those words, let me quote it again.. “Baka pinaranas lang sayo ng Panginoon yung makarating sa Australia para malaman mo kung ano ang sitwasyon.” (Perhaps the Lord just allowed you to visit Australia to find out what the situation is.) You hit it right kuya, Salamat. You made it easy and quick for me to accept my truth.
7. To my family, its not always bad to give up… what’s important is that we learn to discern what is God’s will in our lives.
8. To the Lover of my Soul, my Lord & Savior, thy will be done. 

If my first pro-con chart was done on Sep 2008, and now 10 years later made my second one for the same options..

my latest PRO-CON chart 9-October-2018

Last photo with my mom before Naomi and I left Melbourne

Werribee Zoo

with my BFF Michelle Mozo, she came all the way from
 Sydney just to spend time with us 

Naomi & Mom - Hoppers Crossing 

Kangaroo - Healesville Sanctuary

twice BFF came to bond with us - Mabuhay Pinoy Asian Groceries Store 

Koala Bear - Healesville Sanctuary 

early morning of June 21, 2018 while waiting for our transport 

Taking Chances

According to “The Free Dictionary by Farflex take chances simply means to take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome;

Kuwait Gulf Oil Company once again celebrated the New Year with an event entitled, “Share your hobby with us”. This is the second time to have this kind of event but this year was different, family members of employees were also invited to take part. So what’s my hobby? Well, no expenses, did not exert much effort, something helpful to the environment… same as what I shared last year! Recycling!

recycle – /ˌriːˈsaɪ.kəl/

1. to sort  and collect  rubbish in order  to treat and  it and to produce  useful  materials that can be used again
2. to use something again for a different purpose

So… what’s the connection with my title?! Hehehehe taking chances! C’mon, from the start I knew I won’t win. (Heler...I’m competing with locals, mostly.) Plus comparing the stuff that they all brought, vintage cars, motorcycles, shirt painting, photography, honeybee collector and more…. Compared to the one I brought - used bottles, straws, ribbons, glue, scissors, and the likes for crafting. So, do you think they will vote for me? (Nah!!) Not that I’m putting myself down, (of course not!) I am just being realistic. But ... what made it different this year, as in different is that, my first-born son, joined me. Last year was just a sharing my craft thing, but this time its  – Music & Craft! And again… no extra effort, no expenses he just brought with him an acoustic guitar, we just practiced thrice at home, he played and I sang! Tadan!!!! Nice, sah o sah-o-lalah?! For me this is something! We are sharing to all the TALENT THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US. Again, this year, I know we will be not be chosen as a winner… BUT just singing with my son, and showing them that we are close, that we have the connection, that we enjoy doing things together - is enough. 

Mother & Son Tandem

 


My Son playing to the tune of Somebody by Depeche Mode and of course Mama is the singer..

Feeling winner na ang peg. And seeing my son, receiving his appreciation certificate and his consolation prize, I just want to leap for joy. Of course, who wouldn’t want to win, but for the fact that I stood up and represented my race, my family, and my team is enough. Winning is just a bonus.



Reign receiving his Certificate of Appreciation & Al Shaya Gift Card

  

You know, people are all focused on winning and are afraid of losing. Shuno hada?! Of course, in every competition there will be a winner and there will always be a loser. We cannot all win. If only people will understand that there are 3 ANSWERS, Yes, No and  WAIT. Sometimes we all need failures in our lives. That's natural! It comes and it goes and is a major part of GROWING UP and LEARNING. When we accept failure/ loosing the way we accept every success then we can find peace. You share with the joy of those who won, of those who were promoted, of those who succeed in their endeavors etc... Same goes with prayer. We might think that God doesn't hears us, just remember the 3 kinds of answer: YES, NO and WAIT, because there is something else better in store for you. God knows what we need. So if you failed this time, maybe this is not yet the time God has prepared for you. Maybe our action is based on our own will and not God's will which caused us to fail, or which made us loose a game or whatever. What's important is, we learn from our failures, we accept our mistakes, and we acknowledge that without God, there's nothing we can do.

 

Now, going to TAKING CHANCES, to the "Share your hobby to us" event. I'm proud to say that I didn't get a chance to win first place. But my son once again won my heart! Not all teeners will spend the whole day with you, with big momma, just to jam with you. Right?! If I was after the winning moment... then I might feel upset the whole day for not grabbing the first win. But honestly, I was so happy and proud of the winner. We all deserved to be appreciated... and we were actually. But the winner Mr. Salem Al Oumi really deserved the first place. He showed the steps on how the bees are producing the honey and he brought samples to taste. Another one is Darlynn Amara, though she didn't won but she deserves to be mentioned. She also shared her hobby live! Imagine that live she prepared her pre baked healthy goodies. She cut some fruits and bread, mixed some stuff and it was really amazing! A lot of the attendees went back more than once for the free taste.  My point here is we will never know if we are going to make it or not unless we'll take our chances. Who knows if your intentions are clear, and before that you have already asked God's guidance, you might have the chance of winning.

 

 

1 Corinthians 10:31

“Whatever you do, do it all for

the glory of God.” 

 

I just want to share some photos of taken during the event.

 

 

 

A Selfie with KGOC CEO

 



explaining them that USED things can still be used.

Darlynn Amara - marketing her healthy goodies.



you can check her IG account 125a.bazaar.road

I voted for her actually....

 

the bee collector

 


Salem Al Oumi - the winner

 


shirt designing



Photography




decorative plants

decorative plants



henna design

book collector

pencil sketches

decorative plants



pencil sketches

photography

decorative plants

decorative plants

rider...

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed checking on the nice photos. LASTLY, I just want to end with another verse...

Without HIM I believe I will not have the courage to join this event. I am nothing compared to the accessories they brought with them, I am nothing compared to their chosen hobbies... but one thing I'm sure....I have the gift that comes from Christ. Me & my son's simple talent is a GIFT from Christ that I am so proud to share to the world. My only aim is that HE be glorified in all the things  that I do.