Streets of Gold

I love the story of a wealthy man who prayed, asking for permission to take his earthly wealth with him when he died and went to heaven. An angel appeared to the man and said, "We heard your prayer, but I am sorry. You simply cannot take it with you." The man pleaded so passionately that the angel said, "Let me see what I can do." When the angel returned, he reported, "Good news! God has made an exception for you. You may bring one suitcase with you when it is your time to go." Delighted, the man packed his one suitcase and went on with life. Several years later, he died and appeared at the Pearly Gates where he was met by St. Peter who took one look at the suitcase and said, "I am sorry, sir, but you cannot bring that in with you." The man protested, "But I received special permission." Just then, the angel appeared and said, "Peter, it is true. He has special permission to bring one suitcase in with him." Curious, Peter said, "Do you mind showing me what is in the bag that is so important to you?" With a smile, the man replied, "Not at all" and proceeded to open the suitcase to reveal stacks of gold bricks. Peter's face said it all, "Pavement? You brought pavement with you?"

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”
(Luke 12:15).

-Live Productively

{Philippians 4:11-13}

".. for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

-Live Productively

"Love is not a because, it's a no matter what."
— Jodi Picoult

Taking care of yourself physically really helps emotionally. People who get a lot of sleep, and who do the things that relieve stress, can withstand more stress.
- Laura Bush

Because I am Loved

Question: Are you doing this because you are loved
or so that you’ll be loved?


Because I am loved, I can humble myself.
When I’m trying to be loved, I must build myself up to look better.

Because I am loved, I can cast all my anxiety on Him.
When I’m trying to be loved, I cast all my anxiety on my performance.

Because I am loved, I can resist Satan and stand firm in my faith.
When I’m trying to be loved, I listen to Satan and stand uncertain trying to rely on my feelings.

Because I am loved, I know God will use this to make me stronger – and I want that.
When I’m trying to be loved, I don’t want to be made stronger – I want life to be easier.

Bleesed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
-Jesus
(Matthew 5:5)

-Live Productively

(source: Proverbs 31)

a new layout,

a new season,

I enter now.

I will very gladly welcome you with open arms.

-Live Productively

Dear Lord, make me a person of unwavering commitment to You. Guide me away from the temptations and distractions of this world, so that I might honor You with my thoughts, my actions, and my prayers. Amen

-Live Productively

I can fly higher than an eagle,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

-Live Productively

Psalm 27

One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell
in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the
beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

-Live Productively

he is jealous for me

one thing i realized today.

one thing i take very personally.

one thing that makes me feel connected.

that one thing being, our bond.

when i feel like that bond has been broken,

by seeing that bond shared with someone else,

it breaks that connection.

i wonder if God purposely allowed me to see this

through the works of someone else

to show me how it's like between me and him?

-Live Productively

today i learned that communication is key.

i saw my brother feeling turmoiled and very distressed.
distraught he didn't get to wear his favorite pajamas because his younger brother said he didn't get a chance to wear them so he had to sacrifice, leaving my brother daniel feeling very torn and sad.
i saw that daniel kept covering his ears and eyes, crying over what had happened.
this is unhealthy, i told him. you need to talk it out.
as i calmed him down and he started to take a breather.
i gave him some time as he caught his breathe and thoughts.
he started gaining control of his actions as he came around to talk out his emotions, letting go of his distress.
it was a healthy, let go.
then he told me about his day and what he learned at vbs.
i told him that i loved him very much.
he fell asleep.
i left the room.

i learned a very valuable lesson through this.
today i learned that communication is key.

-Live Productively

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.”

Psalm 37:23-24

God is Fair

... it's been a hot minute since the last time i've written anything worth posting on this blog. i've been in a season that's been abundantly fruitful nonetheless, apart from sharing on blog. i thought this story that a jipsahnim at my church shared with me yesterday, was worth posting. we were in the middle of discussing how God has been providing for all my needs and she went on to share, "see, God is fair!" and then went into sharing this story:

she said, "there's a story in the olden chinese days where a father and a son lived in some rural land. the son had gotten into a devastating accident and lost one of his legs, all in which when the war was just about to take place. all the young men were commissioned to fight for their country except this young man, due to his accident. well, the war went on and none of the soldiers ended up surviving, accept this young man."

i'm not sure if this story is true or not but the moral of it was that in life we may only see with our eyes our current sufferings, being blinded from seeing the whole scheme of it all. in my 26 years of life, i may have had to endure through tough times but also with those times came good ones as well. God was/is/will be faithful, whatever circumstance i may be facing because no matter who may come and go, what may happen, where i'll be, "God is the same yesterday, today and forever." (hebrews 13:8). And with this fact, that's a daily revelation, is more than sufficient for me..

"Many come short,

being satisfied with the works of God

rather than hungering for and reaching

on to God Himself."

AW Tozer

-Live Productively

"we accept the love we think we deserve"

-Live Productively

A Woman of Valor

One night President Obama and his wife Michelle decided to do something out of
routine and go for a casual dinner at a restaurant that wasn’t too luxurious.
When they were seated, the owner of the restaurant asked the President’s Secret
Service if he could please speak to the First Lady in private. They obliged and
Michelle had a conversation with the owner. Following this conversation
President Obama asked Michelle, “Why was he so interested in talking to you?”
She mentioned that in her teenage years, he had been madly in love with her.
President Obama then said, “So if you had married him, you would now be the
owner of this lovely restaurant,” to which Michelle responded, “No. If I had
married him, he would now be the President.”

(Source: leemrsmn, via bangladeshimo)

-Live Productively

The Wife of Noble Character

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.


She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her
works bring her praise at the city gate.

-- Proverbs 31: 10-31


"The model woman described in Proverbs is a portrait of ideal womanhood. The focus of this portrait is a woman’s relationship with God, not her specific abilities or marital status. The Proverbs 31 woman realizes that regardless of her natural talents or acquired skills, or all her accomplishments, her strength comes from God.

Who is a virtuous woman today? Proverbs 31 tells you that it is the woman who puts God first. The ideal woman of Proverbs 31 should encourage all women everywhere. Cultures change, but this woman’s God-inspired character still shines brightly across the centuries."


By: Sheila Graham, 2003