Maybe one of your new year’s resolutions is to build more meaningful time with your family. And they say that communication is the best way to do it. You may have a family talk during dinner or mealtime but sometimes end up arguing or talking about the stressful part of the day which just leaves everybody distressed. So, why not try a light conversation that can eventually lead to a fun time and you can discover more new things about your family. No matter what age I think this table topic questions will be good.
Tried having fun topics with my family while eating out, my parents were there, simple questions like “If you choose mountain or sea what do you like most” I don’t even know what they like but I end up knowing even the small details that interest them.
So here’s my table topic printables I got them from Trish Sutton on Pinterest. You can download it below and print it. Table topics are a fun way to get parents and kids talking, regardless of age, I believe. While having a meal together you can pick up one question and read it out loud. Everyone at the table takes turns answering that question then another person will pick and ask the next question.
It will be fun. You’ll discover and appreciate your family better.
No matter how busy our lives can be, let’s not forget to make time for our family.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Woo hoo!
Next to my birth month which is June, my next fave month is December. I’m always excited about it! December always felt magical when I see Christmas lights turned on and decorations all around. I don’t know about you but the family gatherings, the foods, the gifts, just the celebration itself brings me joy and excitement.
We’ve been through a lot this year I know, sometimes the world has not been kind to us as well. But, I believe despite those things that happened, we are still created with kindness in our hearts. Let’s give revenge positively by giving away kindness. It may sound huge but surely it will be valuable for us.
So, here’s a challenge we can do this holiday till Christmas day. Sharing with you 25 acts we can do to spread kindness around us; to our community and to ourselves. It may be our first time or we’ve been doing it already, let’s make someone smile each day by this simple acts of kindness.
As we arise each morning let us be determine to respond with more love and kindness to whatever might come our way.
-Thomas Monsoon
Here are the list of 25 acts of kindness we can do. Download it and let’s do this till Christmas day.
Thank God it’s (Good) Friday! It made me smile today to feel good when the person I love send me morning messages. But, what really made this day good?
The world is having this long holiday because of what we call Holy week or Passion week. Some people in other parts of the world called this day Silent Friday, Long Friday, Sorrowful Friday and Good Friday. But, what really makes this day good when we know the story that today was the day when Jesus was crucified to death?
“Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer …” (Isaiah 53:10a). Of all the powerful verses in the Bible, this one brings me to my knees. How much does God the Father love us? Enough to sacrifice His only Son. I can’t imagine giving your only son for the sake of people that betray you, that hate you. I am not a parent yet but if I’ll put my feet there I can’t or even never do that.
Still, we see how God allowed Christ to suffer. Not only was God the Father willing to crush His Son, the Son was also willing to be crushed. Our staggering debt of sin — past, present and still to come — was paid in full when Jesus put Himself and chose to die and be separated from His Father, He was forsaken for our sake. And because of His sacrifice on the first Good Friday, grace poured out like living water, bringing the gift of forgiveness to a hurting, dying, sin-filled world.
I don’t know if the disciples in the Bible called that agonizing day for their master “Good Friday”. One thing I know and believe is after His death and they saw Him alive after three days, they knew that painful day was worth it and YES it is indeed a “Good Friday”! Maybe even later, back in heaven with God, Jesus could finally say, “Yes, Father, that was a good day.”
Today we can call it “good” if we appreciate the fact that Jesus’ trial, punishment, and death brought our salvation. In that sense it truly is “Good Friday”!
So, what’s so good about the Friday when Jesus sacrificed His life for us? Everything.
Sharing my morning devotion that spoke to me this Thursday of Passion week.
I read this scene during the last supper of Jesus with his disciples. A few hours before crucifixion, Peter, a disciple we all know that is close to Jesus said, Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you and even to die with you. But, Jesus predicted his betrayal, he said, Peter let me tell you something before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times. (Luke 22: 32-34)
How often do we act like Peter? For me honestly, many times I break God’s heart by being overly confident and saying I love Him but then I know I failed him many times.
“Our best intentions are never enough.”
Peter loved the Lord. He believed that he will never betray Jesus. But Jesus knew Peter wasn’t strong as he thought he was. Sometimes we are like that, especially to people we love. We promised them that, “No, I’d never leave you, I’ll never do that, I’ll never hurt you and fight for you” and all those vows we make. But the truth is when trials and tests comes, we eat what we said.
What if Peter didn’t brag when Jesus rebuked him, what if he stays humble? It can change history, but we see the lesson here, Jesus always has something important to say to us. And when he speaks, even when he rebukes (I know that hurts!) let’s learn to stay humble and listen. Like when he says, love your neighbor, don’t judge, forgive that person and move on. I realized that these core teachings simple yet so hard to do because I find myself not loving all people, not forgiving all the time, I judge others and a whole lot of things I wish I didn’t do- but still sometimes creep in.
It is only through God’s guidance that He can help me love all, forgive all and judge not.
“When God speaks-He is doing it out of love.”
When God speaks to us and exposes our sinful behavior in our lives, we go in the self-protection like what Peter said, “No, not me God, never.” But our stubbornness leads us further from God and his direction and healing in our lives.
When Jesus corrects us, he is doing it out of love and desire for restoration.He wants us to be whole and complete in his grace, truth and love. Let’s grab Jesus’ hand and cling to Him and go where he leads us.
I hope we take hold, because God is the one who brings beautiful rainbows out of the storms.
2020 brings so much challenges to us and even to me personally but God is just good. Excited as the year started with hope and anticipation that 2020 might bring a lot of good and great things, but then all the hopes started to crumble down. Our country was hit by a volcanic eruption that affected many lives. Then here comes the pandemic, this started to shake the whole world. We are locked down, we need to follow protocols and guidelines as we go out. So, wearing mask, face shield and washing hands even your things became a must!
That was hard, but with the positivity of the people, sprout out new hobbies and fun things to do; cooking, gardening, painting, dancing and other stuff became a trend. It was good and the new normal that hit us hard became our normal way of life.
Then another disaster hit our country again when a typhoon bought flood to almost all the people in Luzon. Houses were destroyed, fields were washed out, and worst is the loss of loved ones.
With resiliency and the ‘bayanihan’ spirit of Filipinos many people came to support and share their resources to help these affected families. These things make us alive again and with faith to stand up and start again.
Indeed, 2020 is not a desireable year, but that year taught us to fight and have faith that no matter what life may give us, as long as we have each other we can overcome.
This year also, my one word is L.O.V.E as I look back to all what happened, I know how God mold me to be more loving. First, to Him and to the people around me. Even the hardest one to love. I am grateful that He first show how He loves me unconditionally because that is where I root my love for other people.
So, this 2021 with open arms and willing hearts let’s trust God’s goodness, faithfulness and love, no matter what this year brings it maybe better or worst than last year but I believe with Him we can always win.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of a new year. Thank you for Your Word that promises us that You are always working, and that You are doing a new thing in each and every one of us. We ask that You would give us eyes to see You this year. May the year 2021 be marked by obedience, trust and faith. We love you Lord. Amen.
For my day six writing challenge I am to write five ways to win my heart.
#1. Be Adventurous. I love outdoors, adventure and fun travelling. So, if a person can go with me anywhere that would be a big deal because I know he supports my passion. That will also be a great way to know each other better.
#2. Can talk to me about anything. This is important because honesty and authenticity pays so much. If you can share your thoughts, ideas or how you feel, whatever it is that would make us stronger I think.
#3. Make time. My love language is “quality time” so this is so important to me. Love spells Time right? No matter how busy or full your schedule is, the fact that you can set aside a time for me matters. That count the most!
#4. Make me laugh. This is easy because I laugh easily and I enjoy to be with a person that has a sense of humor. You know that atmosphere of joy a person have, brings a lighter mood no matter how chaos your day is. That is very attractive!
#5. Can pray for and with me. This matters to me because I know I can have a support not only emotionally but spiritually as well. When a person can pray, I believe no matter what challenges we will have he knows where to run to for help and that is amazing!
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
What’s your travel bucket list? If you are like me who has itchy feet like what my mom teased me, you like to wander and see amazing, beautiful destinations.
Being a Filipino, I admire the beautiful culture and places my country has to give. I want to go around from Luzon to Mindanao. But, for today’s writing challenge I am to write ‘five places I want to visit.’ I am choosing five countries instead, which I dream and want to set my foot into if God allows me too.
There are beautiful places in this planet and just to choose five is a bias. Ha ha! But, at the moment I am considering these five amazing countries.
1. Holy Land– I love God, enjoying reading His word and so to see and experience where Jesus was born, where He was baptized, where He prayed and everything about his life here on earth is a joy to discover. I want to set a foot on where He set His. 2. Nepal- This is a trekker’s paradise! To see the Himalayan view for a mountaineer like me is such a wonderful thing even just to set a foot on its hill is a dream come true! Together with its beautiful culture, wildlife and food this place has to give will be an exciting adventure! 3. South Korea– This place brings smile to me because I’ve been fond of Korean dramas, Korean foods and products. Visiting and immersing myself with their culture like what they portrait on their shows will be a great and memorable experience for me. 4. Iceland– Who wouldn’t want to see the Northern lights or Aurora Borealis right? These are one of nature’s most majestic artistic displays. Just seeing them on videos makes me in awe! How much more to see them with my own eyes! That would be so spectacular! 5. East Africa– I love nature and wildlife and to involve myself to a “Safari Journey” where I get to encounter these wild animals going about their daily lives, in their natural habitat would be a thrilling, unforgettable experience!
I am really ambitious when it comes to my bucket list isn’t it? Actually, for Nepal and South Korea I already set my mind in going to these countries, but unfortunately for Nepal, I got a problem on my schedule and even if I had the ticket for South Korea already we back off because of the schedules at work as well. But I am not giving up my hope to pray and believe that if God allows me to, he will in His perfect time. I am claiming to set my feet on these amazing, stunning places.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8
For over thirty years of existing here on earth I am so much blessed for meeting a lot of people, having lots of experiences and realizations. All these together inspires me in life.
Today, for my fourth writing challenge I will write about “Someone who inspires me.” Its a bit tough one because as I said there are a lot of things that inspires me the most.
As I’m pondering what to write this morning, I heard the “taho vendor” shouting “Taho! Taho!” and I always hear him everyday. I love this snack or treat in the morning, it is made from tofu, tapioca pearl and caramelized sugar! Yummy! Then in the afternoon I heard the fish vendor, call “isda, isda” and at night time, here comes manong balut vendor, hollering “balut! balut!” And the list of these vendors continue, I am hearing them everyday with different things or foods to sell.
These ordinary, hard-working, happy people are indeed inspiring! I came to realize that even if they don’t really got a high paying job, they spend their time walking carrying this stuff on their back, or pushing their carts loaded with things to sell, but you know what I observed most, I mean almost all these people have that beautiful smile on their faces, as if they’re not tired. Their auras are just so positive! Life is hard for them, but I learned not to pity them, but to regard them for their hard-work to earn money for their families.
Whenever I hear one of them shouting on our street, I buy from them sometimes, but I ought to utter a little prayer to each of them, like when I hear manong balut vendor at night, I pray he’ll be protected allthrough the evening selling and that he can sell all of those eggs. I do that to with the fish vendor and the others. I learned not to feel sorry for them but to admire them and support them too.
I hope I have a lot of money so I can just buy all their stuff . But, for now what I can do is to revere them for what they are, who they are and pray that they will always be successful in all that they do. And that they will always have good health and great foods on their tables.
So, that’s it! These amazing, ordinary people, sometimes, unseen by many or ignored by some are just encouraginging for me. The way they persevere in life, the way they strive and the endless hope they have even in this world of hopelessness still continue to fight and push harder, that I think is the most inspiring ever!
“We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. … Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32
According to Wikipedia, pet peeve, pet aversion, or pet hate is a minor annoyance that an individual identifies as particularly irritating to them, to a greater degree than would be expected based on the experience of others.
Everybody gets annoyed from time to time and there’s no exception for me. I am not trying to judge here. I am not perfect either but today’s writing challenge is to write my top 3 pet peeves. So, I don’t have a choice but to share it. Maybe I will be guilty here as well because what annoys me might also come out with me. Ha ha!
The challenge is top 3 pet peeves, meaning I will only be selecting 3 annoying habits but as I am thinking about it list goes on! *laugh! Anyway I am sharing the most common and front liner pet peeves for me.
People saying “Let’s make plans” in Filipino term “drawing”. Drawing people are excited during the planning time but back out or make excuses that they can’t make it during the actual plan. That hurts right? You are excited to do it with them but then they leave you behind.
People who are “brown noser” in Filipino term “sipsip”. They try to please person in authority just to get favor. These people for me are not really genuine; they resort to flattery or other ways just to stay in. I am a person that believes in favor, yes! But getting it in a way that you don’t cover up your sincerity.
Constant cellphone distraction. I admit everyone is into it. We are in a digital world and everything is on our phones. But, I am annoyed when I am with my friends and talking and they can’t let go of their gadget. I’d rather have myself eat alone than to be in an invisible world. Just treasure people who are with you, don’t ignore them. Listening ear and being present all out is a gift treasured most.
Ta da!! So those are my list of pet peeves. I’ll be honest here. I am also guilty of doing those three! But the lesson here is, I want to learn and grow from these annoying habits. I want to be remembered as a person true to my word, authentic and valuing time with people. Let’s all grow together then!
“But to obtain these gifts, you need more than faith; you must also work hard to be good, and even that is not enough. For then you must learn to know God better and discover what he wants you to do.” 2 Peter 1:5
k a t z j o u r n a l 