Grace Anatomy

This article encouraged me to move one step at a time by God’s grace through faith.

From preparation of my wedding up to my marriage life, I’ve experienced a lot of new things about Him.

I remembered during my preparation on my wedding. I can’t imagine how God provided everything… all things run very smoothly. I’ve learned that He is my Master; He’s the only one who could tell or change the wedding preparation; I neglected those superstitious beliefs or any tradition ‘coz in my case most of the chinese has a lot of superstitious beliefs or any tradition and no need to worry for those wedding expenses ‘coz He is my provider. Even though my wedding is very simple but a lot of people was amazed and enjoyed that much ‘coz they encountered this kind of christian wedding for the very first time.

God tested my faith a lot of times, sometimes I’ve failed but He helps me to move on.

Before I got pregnant. God told me that I have to give up my job and stay at home to do those household tasks, but in my case, I feared that we might not survive, it’s not good to ask my parents or my parents in law for financial support ‘coz we have already our own life. When a couple got married, they decide on their own and not swayed or decide by others. To make the story short, I obeyed God’s plan. It has a great outcome for obeying His plan…you won’t regret it and I mean it. By being obedient, it result a fruitful and acceptable. I have a very lovable; very healthy and wise son. God’s provision continuously flowing even though my husband is a freelance computer base so that he could give us more time.

I realized that we should live for Him, without Christ we’re hopeless. If anyone who would like to accept God’s gift of salvation and have a meaningful life, say this prayer: “Lord I’m a sinner and I accept you to be my Lord and Savior, I may not be acceptable for I am a sinner but You showed me Your Great Love and now please clean my heart and make my life a new one. Thank you so much for accepting me. In Jesus name I pray….amen”

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Grace Anatomy
By: Ptr. Desmond Chan

Did you know that what we believe impacts how we behave? In Ephesians, Paul reveals to us what our belief is and how we should put that belief into practice. Here, we learn of the blessings of being part of God’s family and the responsibilities that come with it.

God’s awesome plan is to put everything under the leadership and authority of Christ. God’s plan is for us to become the body of Christ with Him as our head (Ephesians 1:22-23). How does God fulfill this plan? God fulfills this plan through His grace. Jesus Christ died and was resurrected to show the “surpassing greatness of God’s grace…so that we may be saved” (Ephesians 2:6-8). God chose grace, not force, to bring us into salvation because grace leads to faith, love and obedience. In the same way, experiencing the grace and goodness of God overcomes our fears, replaces it with faith and love, and motivates us to obey. Grace leads, instructs, helps and compels us to deny sin and live a life that is pleasing to God.

Anatomy of Grace. The problem is that we often take God’s grace for granted. We keep complaining; we keep on sinning. How do we appreciate God’s grace in our lives? Firstly, Ephesians 2:11-12 tells us to remember our past predicament without Christ to show how undeserving we are of God’s grace. Like the Gentiles, we were separated from Christ, excluded from the blessings of being in God’s family and hopeless because we were living without Christ. Knowing our past makes us appreciate God’s grace, for although we are undeserving, He saved us. Secondly, we can appreciate God’s grace even more when we realize our present position in Christ and see how favored we are in Him. Ephesians 2:13-22 shows our position and what God’s G.R.A.C.E. has accomplished for us:

Gap removed. God’s grace united us with Christ and “brought us near to God through the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death.” It pertains not just to physical death but also spiritual death (i.e. separation from God). But, through His death on the cross, the gap was removed–the cross became the bridge. The first thing that grace has accomplished is to bring us near to Him, just like the Gentiles.

Reconciliation with God and others. Are you aware that because of our sins, we were enemies of God and as such, we were objects of God’s wrath? Indeed, before we came to know the Lord, we were bound for hell! But, praise God that because of what Jesus deed on the cross for us, we were reconciled to God. Christ, brought us peace: “For He Himself is our peace…creating in Himself one new people from the Jews and the Gentiles…reconciling both groups to God…and our hostility toward each other was put to death” (Ephesians 2:15-16).

Access to the Father. The death of Christ gave us direct contact with the Father, “For through Christ, we all have access to the Father through the Holy Spirit…” (Ephesians 2:18). We were given the right and privilege to come before Him in prayer. We do not need a mediator, we may go directly to Him.

Citizenship in heaven. Through God’s grace, we became “…fellow citizens with all of God’s people and members of God’s household, with Christ as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20). Are you part of God’s family? Coming to CCF does not make you part of God’s family. Only in Christ will you be given the right to be part of His household. We are made children of God because of Jesus. Being children of God is now our calling. Paul entreats us to walk worthy of this calling–to live and behave like children of God.

Edification towards holy living. As members of God’s family, we are being built up, continuously being molded and changed, so that we can “…become a holy temple…a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21-22). God’s desire is not just to have a family but also to have one that is ‘holy’. When we come into His household, God promises us that by His grace, He will build us up so that we can live holy lives. He will build us to become a church that is controlled by His Spirit. The grace of God will bring not only salvation but also sanctification. We are works in progress and God will continue to change us.
The evidence of God’s G.R.A.C.E. is Christ on the cross. By God’s grace, we have been saved through our faith. Our salvation is God’s gift. Have you accepted this gift? Are you walking in a manner worthy of your calling as God’s adopted child?

Sauteed Ampalaya (Bitter Gourd)

2 pcs large eggs

• *2 pitches of salt
• *Beaten

1 large ampalaya

• *Wash
• *Trim away the two pointed ends
• *Cut it half lengthwise
• *Remove the seeds
• *Slice crosswise thinly
• *Rub the slices with rock salt and soak in water for 20 minutes. (It helps cut the bitterness of the vegetable)
• *Drain and rinse
• *Drain again and pat dry

2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
4 gloves garlic, chopped
2 medium hotdog, diced
100 g ground pork
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 teaspoon sugar

1. Pour oil in a heated pan.
2. When hot, put the onion, garlic, tomatoes, hotdog and ground pork.
3. Stir and fry for 3 minutes then add ampalaya and sugar.
4. Add some water to prevent burning.
5. Then simmer for 10 minutes or until ampalaya is tender.
6. Stir in beaten eggs and some salt to taste.
7. Keep stirring slowly until cooked.

Are you satisfied?

Does anyone of us who's not satisfied for what they have?

I'm so touch and i've learned alot of it. Honestly, most of us are not satisfied on what God had given to us, we keep on complaining, we thought that God has been so unfair to us, but the truth is that we are not satisfied.

The kids on this video were abandoned by their parents, but they are so satisfied for what God has provided for them, they do love each other, especially the eldest one who never leave this 2 younger siblings all alone, she took responsibility that a parents should do to their children. On that situation God is still there to take care of them no matter what may happened.

Being a mother, i'm encouraged not to leave my child with someone who cannot be trusted. Alot of time, i planned to go out to look for a job 'coz i always thought that we might get starved. My husband is the only one who work and could provide an income for the family. But still... God speaks to me alot of times that i should stay at home and take care of my family (my husband and my son), it's His business to provide all my family needs.

Breastfeeding: Breast milk is best for babies

I know how difficult it is to breastfeed for the first time. I would like to share my first experience with breastfeeding for those mothers who are thinking about giving up.

I came from a non-breastfeeding family; so it’s hard to find someone to give me more information about breastfeeding. I’m so thankful that God gave me a wisdom and guidance about breastfeeding. I was very fortunate to have a husband who’s totally supportive to any decision I made as well as financial, so I didn't have to leave my baby to hunt for a job.


Some people discouraging me, they told me that breast milk is not a nutritious milk unlike formula milk and some says that I’m breastfeeding my baby ‘coz we’re financially broke; well…I proved them that they were all wrong. Lately, I’ve watched TV news then suddenly the Department of Health (DOH) popup the commercial shows of breastfeeding, I’m amazed! They (DOH) gave us idea that the baby need to drink human milk instead of animal milk. And also a few who had thought that breastfeeding was gross. But ultimately it was the mother's decision to breastfeed or formula feed and I was determined to give my baby the “BEST”.


Why we waste for God’s given food for our precious babies? God’s creation has its own perfection if we compare to human creation. No one should be ashamed of nursing a child because it is the most healthy way to nourish a child and the added bonuses are not found in formula milk (researched), more closer relationship with parents, a higher IQ, healthier bodies, strong bones/teeth, less allergies, lesser stomach problem, antibodies from the mother are passed through the milk, it reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer for a breast feeding mom, well…I’ve just mention a few.


I never thought that my son would be born 1 month earlier. I know God has a purpose for that so I would never taste the longer labor pain; it took me 3 hours at the labor room then almost 20 minutes at the delivery room. After I delivered my baby, the doctor said that my baby looks very healthy and no need to put him at the incubator. When the first time I saw him at the nursery room for breastfeeding, as I hold him in my arms, tears in my eyes starting to flow, he was so small and light. But I never lost hope; I know God is there to help me to learn how to take care my baby.


As time goes by, it seems I don’t have any problem on my son’s health. Thanks God! He really loves my homemade cooking all the time rather than the others…hahaha. Honestly, he’s easy to feed, but when someone tries to feed him or give him something to eat, the only thing he do is not to open his mouth as much as possible ‘coz the only person he could trust are his parents…hahaha! I’m amazed!


La Leche League International is a good site for breastfeeding mother and want to learn on how to breastfeed.


Don’t lose hope for those mothers who formula fed their babies, because the most important thing is how you raise your kids.

Pasta with White sauce (Carbonara)

115 g button mushroom, chopped
250 g sweet ham, chopped
250 g bacon, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup parsley,chopped
500 ml all purpose cream or any thick cream
1 tablespoon cooking oil

1 large egg:

1. 2 dashes of salt.
2. 4 dashes of black pepper.
   
3. beaten.

1/2 kg Pasta:

1. Put water, 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a casserole.
2. When boiled, add pasta.
   
3. Cook until tender.
4. Drain the pasta.
   

White Sauce:

1. Cook bacon in cooking oil crisp in moderate heat.
2. Add onion, button mushroom and ham.
3. When its done, add parsley then cook for 1 minute.
4. Add all purpose cream or thick cream, egg and 2 dashes of salt.
5. When boiled then its done.

To Serve:

1. Put the pasta on a plate.
2. On top of the pasta, pour on the white sauce.
   

Scrambled eggs with tomotoes

4 pcs large eggs

• *2 pitches of salt
• *beaten

1 small onion, chopped
4 pcs tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon cooking oil

1. Put cooking oil in a wok.
2. When hot, saute the onion and tomatoes, then add 2 pitches of salt.
3. Add eggs, keep stirring slowly until cooked.
   

Sauteed Stringbeans

250 g Stringbeans

• *washed
• *fronts and ends removed
• *cut 1-2 inch long

1 small onion, chopped
4 gloves garlic, chopped
150 g ground pork
1 cup water
1 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar

1. Put stringbeans, water, ground pork, onion, garlic, salt, sugar in a wok. Then simmer for 3 minutes.
2. Add some water if it dries up to prevent burning.
3. Add tomato sauce.
4. Simmer for 3 minutes.
5. Additional salt to taste.
   

Adobong Hito with Gata

1 kg Hito or Catfish

1. In the market, have gills and internal organs removed, but don't remove the eggs. Wash it well.
2. Rub with coarse salt till slimy coating is removed.
3. Cut into 2 inch.

1 pack of 200ml coconut milk
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 slices ginger, 1 x 1 inch each
1/2 cup vinegar
1 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon salt

1. Marinate the fish with onion, garlic, ginger, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar for 3 hours or whole night.
2. Put the fish, marinated sauce, water and salt in a pot.
3. Simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Add coconut milk.
5. When boiled then it's done.
   

Father's Day

Lately, one of my cellgroup mate asked me to give a wonderful message or feedback for my husband 'coz we will be having a surprise celebration for father's day. I accidentally composed a poem, so here it is... i wanna share this for all fathers out there.

A God Fearing Daddy

God chosen him to be
our spiritual leader
our protector
in other words
he is the king of the house

he trains his children
to stand firm in the Lord
to pray with open heart
to love one another
to think wisely

he discipline
with strict and firm
but we never knew
he's a dad of softest heart
who's easily to forgive

When in times of trial
he's a man of
full of confident
full of hope
full of support

he carries a bucket list of
full of love
full of contentment
full of joy
full of faith

he is...
A daddy...
A champion...
A superhero...
A richman...
In CHRIST!!!

Have a wonderful and blessed father's day!!!

Lomi Soup

500 g lomi noodles
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 g chicken liver
100 g pork, cubed, marinated in flour or in cornstarch and soy sauce
1 medium carrot, cubed
2 cups cabbage, shredded
1-2 teaspoon salt
1-2 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch, dissolved 3 tablespoon water in a cup
1 large egg, beaten

optional:
6 pieces baguio beans, thin sliced
4 pieces kikiam, sliced
6 pieces snow peas, sliced

1. Put the lomi noodles in a pot of water then boil. Drain the water when its done
2. Put the 4-5 cups water, garlic, onion, salt and sugar in a pot.
3. When boiled. Add pork, chicken liver, carrot and kikiam until almost cooked.
   
4. Add lomi noodles, cabbage, baguio beans and snow peas. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Slowly pour cornstarch mixture while constantly.
6. Add egg and serve hot.

Lucheon Meat with Cabbage

1 medium can luncheon meat, cut into cubed
1 small onion chopped
3 gloves garlic chopped
1 cup cabbage, shredded
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cups of water
1 cooking oil

1. In a wok, saute garlic, onion and luncheon meat in hot oil.
2. Add the cabbage, a pitch of salt, sugar and water. Then simmer for 5 minutes.
   
3. Add egg and serve hot.
   

About My Cellgroup

Every friday night my husband and i join for couple's cellgroup at Christ's Commission Fellowship. When we have joined for the first time, i felt so warm and welcome, lot of them are friendly or easy to approach.

As a cellgroup member, we gives mutual encouragement and also celebrate the achievements with one another. It's feel free to ask question; to tell all your problems and concerns. We do have fun activities, bible study and prayer meeting. That's why I love to join this cellgroup very much.

There are different kinds of cellgroup in Christ's Commission Fellowship

• Married Couples
• Single Parents
• Single Males
• Single Females
• Mixed Singles
• College and High School Students
• Local
• International

You could sign up and join the cellgroup at Christ's Commission Fellowship.

Chicken Sopas

200ml Evaporated Milk
150 g chicken breast (any part of the chicken) or ground pork
1 cup elbow macaroni or shell pasta
3-4 cups water
3 pcs medium hotdog, in small cubed
1 medium carrot, cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup shredded cabbage

1. Boil the chicken in the water. Put some sliced ginger. You can already add the salt and sugar.
   
2. Once the chicken is cooked, take it out of the water to shred or to slice. Save the water as stock for later. Set aside the shredded chicken.
3. Put the water, chicken's stock, onion, garlic, hotdog, chicken breast or ground pork in a pot.
4. When boiled. Add the elbow macaroni then stir.
   
5. If the elbow macaroni are not quite cooked, but already softened, then add the cabbage.
   
6. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
7. Add the evaporated milk, keep stirring.
   
8. Optional - additional salt to taste.
   
9. When boiled then it's done.
   

Someone Special, That's Me!

i love you not for who you are, but for who I am when I am with you
--UNKNOWN--


I'm so busy and tired this afternoon. I never thought that i accidentally cut my finger while i'm slicing the potatoes for my son's afternoon snack, when my son saw me that i'm hurt and heard me saying "OUCH!...Ouch!!...Ouch!!..." then he immediately hugs and kisses me saying "i love you", well....i'm so relief and so touchy instead of feeling hurt.

He's just 3 years old. No matter how naughty our kids at their young age, they are still precious in God's eyes. Unexpectedly, their would come a time that God could use them to comfort us and help us.

Most important is do pray for and work toward consistency in our attitudes and behavior toward to our kids. Unconditional love doesn't evaporate when our kids misbehave or when the family finances have gone haywire or when the new baby keeping everyone awake at night. It may seem like the impossible dream always to be patient, kind and loving as a spouse or as a parent even in times of conflict and stress. Unconditional love is: doesn't depend on circumstances. It is essential to the development of trust in our family relationships, as well as to our child's self-esteem or attitude.

Banana Blossom/Bud In Coconut Milk

1 medium long cream-colored banana blossom/bud (puso ng saging)

• *Remove the outer layers. Until you reach the light creamy inner portion.
• *cut into 1/4-inch rings.

1 pack of 200ml coconut milk
100 g ground pork
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped

1. Put 2-3 cups of water, onion, garlic, ground pork, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar in a wok.
2. When boiled, put the banana blossom/bud. Simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Put the coconut milk. Wait for 2 minutes.
   

Fried Dumpling

1 pack won ton wrappers
600 g ground pork
200 g bamboo shoots
1 small onion finely chopped
3 tablespoon soy sauce
cooking oil for deep frying

1. Put the bamboo shoots in a pot of water then boil. Drain the water when its done.
2. Finely chopped the bamboo shoots.
   
3. Put the ground pork, bamboo shoots, onion, soy sauce in a bowl then mix it.
4. To form a dumplings place a rounded tablespoon of the filling in the center of a wrapper and press the edges of the wrapper up around the filling to almost enclose it. Squeeze gently so the wrapper adheres to the filling with the top of the filling partially exposed and the edges of the wrapper almost meeting on top. Tap the base of each dumpling on the table to flatten.
5. Heat deep oil to moderately hot and fry the dumplings, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and drain excess oil on absorbent paper.
6. Serve the dumplings hot with small dishes of sweet chili sauce for dippings.