Category: Out of the Kitchen

…our whole house burned down. I can still clearly remember what happened that day. We woke up at around 1:30 in the morning; heard loud, crackling sounds; and saw the family den and dining area covered in bright, orange-colored flames.

Dad instructed us to get out of the house as he tried to put the fire out with a few buckets of water. But, because the fire was already too big, he decided to go to the garage instead and got the car out of the house too.

By God’s grace, we were able to get out of the house safely. :)

God allowed our family to go through the fire for his good purposes. Throughout the years, I’ve seen how God used that situation to encourage other people to know Him too; to teach our hearts about contentment and gratitude; and to constantly remind us of what is most important in life: WHO GOD IS and WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US. Indeed, every November 19, I am reminded of how He has been so faithful in our lives.

Thank You, Lord, for blessings in disguise.

Thank You for being who You are in spite of who we are. :)

 

“As I look back over my life,
I can see how Your love has guided me.
Even though I’ve done wrong, You never left me alone,
but You forgave me, and You kept on blessing.
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope,
it is because of Your mercies that we are not consumed;
because Thy compassions fail not,
they are new every morning,
great is Thy faithfulness,
great is Thy faithfulness.”

-Eddie James

 ( Lamentations 3:22-23 )

 

Encourage yourself one treat at a time! :)

MCDONALD’S TWISTER FRIES IS BACK! :D I noticed that each year, McDonald’s purposely limits their supply of twister fries. I can say that this has been one of their most effective marketing strategies because, by producing less, they actually increase the product’s worth.

Last Thursday after work, I went to McDonald’s to have some quiet time (it was something that I needed) and I saw that they were selling twister fries again! At first, I didn’t want to buy it because it was more expensive than the straight-cut fries. However, I eventually bought it because I knew that it was going to be available only for a certain time.

As I was enjoying my twister fries, I started to talk to God about how my week went so far. I was telling Him how ashamed I was to actually go near Him because for the past week, I wasn’t really able to spend much quality time with Him (compared to the time when I was still unemployed).

I told God: “Lord, You know what happened to me this week and how I’ve chosen not to prioritize you at certain times. I just feel that it’s not right for me to lead people to sing to you tomorrow at Friday Night Light (FNL: young singles ministry of CCF Makati). Would you please speak to me because I don’t know what to do.”

I got my journal and Bible and I started to spend more time with God that night at McDonald’s. I apologized for the things that I’ve done that week that did not please Him and I asked Him to change my heart. I also said to Him: “I don’t know how I’ll be able to encourage others to worship you tomorrow…

               …But, right now, I’m reminded that if you want me to sing and serve, you will allow me to. I’m reminded that this isn’t about me and my weaknesses. It’s about who You are to us, Lord; how gracious you’ve been.” I read Psalm 95 and it encouraged me to keep on singing for God not because I am equipped to sing, but because God deserves all the praises and glory. He deserves to be worshipped. :)

I then got my earphones and listened to “No Shame” by Moriah Peters (It was the song that I was going to sing the next day).

“I hear what you’re saying at the end of the other line.

What you said you’d never do again, you did it one more time…”

 

Interestingly, while I heard these first lines of the song, I noticed the similarity it had to the continuous loop seen in the twister fries that I was eating. Paulit-ulit yung pag-ikot ng fries. In the same way, I remembered my continuous loop of disappointing God in the things that I’ve done and in the things that I wasn’t able to do that week.

                I started to feel more ashamed. “I’m not worthy to serve You, Lord. I just can’t.” I said. But, what happened next surprised me and touched my heart deeply. As I was getting twister fries from my box, I saw a J-shaped twister fry! WOW! But, what fascinated me more was seeing that french fry at exactly the same time that this line of the song played in my phone:

“But mercy longs to reach to us. In the arms of Jesus, there is no shame…”

                Without a second thought, I knew that God was using it to speak to my heart and encourage me. Seeing that “J” reminded me of only one name, and it was Jesus’ name.

It was amazing how God placed that “J” fry on my box of twister fries that night. It was His way of telling me that even though I’ve disappointed Him; I’ve failed Him again and again; and I’ve chosen not to prioritize Him that week, His love for me never changed and it never will. He reminded me that He has already forgiven me and that His grace will always be enough for me.

                The next day, as my sister and I were on our way to CCF Makati for Friday Night Light, I was sharing to her my experiences that week. I told her this: “Ate Michelle, I guess God still allowed me to sing and serve Him tonight at FNL because it was His way of letting me experience GRACE again. Grabe si God noh?” :’) It is a privilege to sing to God. It is something that I do not deserve and yet, God still allows me to sing and serve Him in ministry. What a gracious, gracious, gracious God.

I sang “No Shame” that night and led the people in FNL to worship God along with two other volunteers. IT WAS ONLY BY HIS GRACE.

I just want to thank You, Jesus, for showing Your grace to me this past week. But more than that, I want to thank You for the amazing grace that you’ve given all of us when You took our place; died on that cross many years ago; and saved us from the penalty of our sins just so we could spend eternity with God in Heaven. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Thank You, Jesus, because You know our hearts and needs. Thank You because You meet us where we are and use us despite our weaknesses. I pray that we would continue to have the desire to know You; spend more time with You; and love You more and more each day. You deserve it, Lord! :)

“You have rescued me
You took a wretch like this.
You loved me and You saved me.

With all that’s within me, I will bless You Lord.”

-“Dominion” by Citipointe

 

Encourage yourself one treat at a time. :)

Every time I would eat at McDonald’s, I would hear it’s latest theme song: “Hooray for Today!” That song encourages people to appreciate even the simplest things in life; those that we take for granted most of the time. Because I was encouraged by the song, I decided to thank God more by sharing in this blog two moments that I had at McDonald’s recently and how God used them to speak to me.

(You can read about Day 1 here: https://encouragingtreats.com/hooray-today-part-1/ )

Last July 13, 2012, I was having lunch at McDonald’s and I decided to order one regular fries, one crispy chicken sandwich, and a regular Coke float. I was so excited to eat and enjoy the lunch break! :) However, when I got my food and drink, I noticed that the cashier lady gave me MEDIUM fries instead of what I originally ordered: REGULAR FRIES.

I don’t know why but for a few seconds, I was tempted not to say anything. I thought to myself: “Maybe a few pieces of fries won’t hurt McDonald’s. And maybe it’s God’s way of blessing me. :)” However, God immediately rebuked my thoughts and spoke to my heart. “Nic, you know what you should do. Go and tell the lady that she gave you the wrong order.” He said.

 

Without any more hesitation, I told the lady and she replied: “Oo nga noh. Kay sir (customer beside me) pala yung medium fries. Sorry about that ma’am and thank you.” She then took the medium fries and replaced it with the regular one. I realized that if I didn’t obey God, the cashier lady or the guy beside me would have eventually noticed that I got away with a different order (since he was also there when I gave my orders). That would have been really complicated. Also, if I didn’t tell the lady, then I would have stolen and lied; I would have sinned against God.

I praise God for His gracious rebuke. :)

I walked away with a smile on my face not because I made the right decision, but because of God’s grace and His presence. :)

As I took a bite of my sandwich and ate the fries, God reminded me that having integrity in the smallest things is important, since it will eventually affect how I deal with the bigger things and issues in life. But more importantly, I realized that when we practice integrity, God is pleased and honored more.

Luke 16:10
He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.

He encouraged me to practice integrity not only in McDonald’s but also in the way I make decisions especially at home, work, church, ministry, and my relationships with others and with Him.

 

Moreover, I’m learning that practicing integrity may mean that…

1. I would choose to use the computers, internet, etc. in the office not for my personal use, but for the purpose of excellently fulfilling my responsibilities at work and adding more value to the company.

2. I would choose not to gossip or talk negatively about other people no matter what. (Ephesians 4:29)

3. I would choose to follow the traffic rules when driving and even when walking across streets. (Romans 13:1)

4. I would try my best to guard my mind and let it dwell only on thoughts that would glorify God. (2 Corinthians 10:5). As a result, this would help me to guard my heart more (from bitterness, envy, lust, pride, etc.).

5. I would constantly seek to know God more and spend time with Him through prayer and His word. Even if I try to practice integrity in my life, I know that I would not be able to do it without God’s grace, wisdom, and guidance. (Psalm 105:4)

…and many more.

As I look at these examples, I am humbled even more because I know that I have a lot to improve on when it comes to practicing integrity. But, by God’s grace, I will choose integrity. By God’ grace, I will choose Jesus, because He is so much more important than my comfort, my pride, and other desires in my life.

Thank You, Lord, for another “McDo moment”. :) Thank You for encouraging me again.

HOORAY FOR THOSE TWO DAYS! :) :)

 

Encourage yourself one treat at a time! :)