In a Dry and Weary Land

Rock Flowers

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O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

- Psalm 63:1

April comes to an end today. 

Without having second thoughts, I name this month, In a Dry and Weary Land.

The past weeks have been terribly dry and hot. 

From mid-March to mid-April, I was in Manila to be with my daughter while her maid was on vacation. Part of my daily domestic routine was to water the gardens around our home. It still rained a little bit during the last few days of March, but as soon as April arrived, the rains stopped, and the scorching heat during the daytime began. Therefore, watering the plants every morning and evening was a must.

My philosophy about gardens, both in our Manila and Bacolod homes, is to keep them well watered and well looked after. The purpose of a garden is to give joy and delight. What then is the use of having a garden if it will only be neglected?

I returned to my Bacolod City home on the 17th of this month. The first thing I noticed when I walked in through the front gate was that my plants were not only overgrown, they were also crying out for rain.

It was nearly 10 o'clock p.m. when I put down my pruning shears. Even though I had taken the dawn flight, I suppose the adrenaline surge kept me from feeling tired, despite the fact that it had been a rather long day for me. I surveyed my garden under the bright light of the street lamp post, and I was satisfied with what I had accomplished that evening.

The next morning, before the sun was up, I was back in the garden drenching the grass and every square inch of soil in the plant boxes and pots. I could almost hear the roots slurping up the moisture they badly needed.

And so for the past weeks, it seems that all I ever did each day was to water the plants.

The water supply in our city has been affected by the intense summer heat. Each morning I had to make sure I was up before 4 o'clock while the water pressure was still strong. By 6 a.m., there would be no more water coming from the faucets. Water service would return only in the evening. So at 9 p.m., I would once again be out in the garden, watering my plants.

This is not a complaint, not at all.

I love tending my garden . To see the yellowed leaves slowly turning green again, and tiny fresh shoots and buds coming out of the stems, brings so much joy to my heart.

But it has not been easy battling the heat and the dryness all around.

It has been arduous, tedious, and time consuming. Tending one's garden in the peak summer months requires passion, commitment, and dedication... and makes me all too aware of the fallen status of nature.

There is an unseen enemy that puts my best efforts to naught.

First the natural, then the spiritual. (1 Corinthians 15:46)

I have sensed these days that my spiritual well-being is also very much affected by the dry spell.

Because I have to be out in the garden very early in the morning, my usual devotional time in my prayer room has been cut short.

The dryness has crept into my spiritual life.

And just like the plants crying out for much needed moisture, so is the garden of my heart longing for the outpouring of spiritual rain.

I spend time in worship... 

read and listen to God's word...

pray...

But because they have been done sporadically, it doesn't seem to satisfy me.

My thirst remains unquenched.

My heart longs for something more. 

What my spirit needs is a good, long, spiritual soaking.

In His presence.


It is in times like this that more than ever my heart recognizes the All-Sufficiency of my Abba Father.

No wonder His name is Yahweh, the great I Am. He is my All in All, and my whole being longs for Him, cries out for Him, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

April, thank you... for pointing me in the direction of my deep need of Living Water. Each month has a special message for me. This month you tell me... my hope is in God alone... my refreshing and my nourishment is in God alone.


Father, my Abba Avinu, You are everything I need. You are all I want. You are always more than enough for me. I long for You, and cry out for Your refreshing rains upon the dry and weary garden of my soul.

This song is the prayer of my heart for this month. 

Indeed, Father, in a dry and weary land, You are the Rain.



Always Enough
by Casting Crowns

In a dry and weary land
Lord You are the rain.
In a sea of shattered ones.
Your love comes rushing in

You hold the world within Your hands
And see each tear that falls
Through every fire and every storm
You're always enough, always enough

Your love is peace to the broken
Faith for the widow
Hope for the orphan
Strength for the weak
Your love is the anthem of nations
Rings out through the ages
Lord You're always enough for me.

You keep my heart in perfect peace
My life is in Your hands
When confusion hides my way
You're always enough, always enough

I rejoice for my Savior reigns
I rejoice for He lives in me
God on high, He has set me free
And worthy is the Lord

Your love is peace to the broken
Faith for the widow
Hope for the orphan
Strength for the weak
Your love is the anthem of nations
Rings out through the ages
And You're always enough for me

In a dry and weary land
Lord You are the rain

No Permanent Address

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called

to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.

And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he dwelt in the land of promise

as in a foreign country,

dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob,

the heirs with him of the same promise;

for he waited for the city which has foundations,

whose builder and maker is God.

- Hebrews 11:8-10

Wherever we choose to live here on earth will always be like living in a city which has no foundations.

Nothing is permanent; at any given time, anything can happen.

Every single joy we experience will be temporary, any possession we acquire, no matter how precious, will be fleeting.

That is the nature of life here on earth.

We live, as it were, as pilgrims and sojourners... in tents. We're always called to move out of our comfort zones.

We cannot drive our stakes down too deep, expecting to stay in one place forever.

Eventually somewhere, somehow, something will break down, disappoint, or lose meaning and value.

We were created for eternity, and our hearts were designed and programmed that we will always hunger and long for what is eternal.

We will always look for something more.

It is only the enemy who tricks us to be satisfied with and to pursue what this world offers.


The truth is that in this life, we must always be ready for change.

There is only one city which has foundations, and that is the Eternal City whose builder and maker is God.

I have long reconciled myself to this truth, and naturally, it has made life so much easier for me.

Yet, the more important the lesson, the harder it is to learn. I had to learn this lesson the hard way.

I'm still learning, and realize that this is one lesson that nobody ever gets to master while here on earth.

I was about to give birth to our second child in 1982 when news reached me that my dear mother had a stroke, leaving half of her body paralyzed, and her speech impaired.

It was hard to see her die a slow death. She was still the same person somewhere inside, I knew that. But as far as we, her family, were concerned, she was never the same.

She passed away in 1985, after three months of being in the ICU, in a comatose state. She was only 60 years old.

A beautiful, vibrant, intelligent, hard-working woman... but she died a slow, painful death.

That was 30 years ago. And a part of me still misses my beloved mother.

In 1989, my husband and I suffered a huge financial reversal. Due to unwise business decisions, and many circumstances beyond our control, we woke up one day with no more money in the bank. 

Our children were young, and life needed to go on.

Major adjustments were made, but we never lost hope.

It was a painful way to discover what things really matter in view of eternity. It is through this lesson that Abba Father taught me how to depend on Him alone.

That He keeps His promises... that people will break our hearts, but God is completely trustworthy.

Today, I am a living witness to God's faithfulness. Our three children finished their education, all graduated from university... and there was not a single meal that we missed.



My own dear father died in 1994, after a year of being ill.

In 2008, Ernie went home to heaven. Another major life change.

If this is all there is to this life - having good things and meaningful relationships, only to lose them in the end... then, what is the use of living?

There has to be something bigger, something more valuable, and more lasting, worth living for.

I've been here in Manila for almost a month. Give me a week or so anywhere, and I begin to grow some roots. 

Admittedly, I've become quite comfortable here already.

And today, as I'm packing my suitcase for my flight back to my home city tomorrow, there's a part of me that is reluctant to leave.

I will miss my daughter.

 I will miss my father's garden and this comfortable home filled with beautiful memories of my growing up years.

I will miss my Manila friends...

At the same time, I am also looking forward to being back in Bacolod.

I will sleep in my own bedroom again.

And I will enjoy my prayer room again.

I will be with my two sons and their wives and my grandchildren again.

I will see my dogs again...

I also have a beautiful garden there... and many dear friends are also waiting for me there.


This, of course, are just the external things. There are precious kingdom ministries that I am a part of, both in my hometown, and here in Manila, that give a deeper meaning to my life.

Abba Father has given me important assignments to carry out, and I sense that there are new marching orders to be revealed in the days ahead.

Nevertheless, this going back and forth... it is quite a confusing feeling.

I have two homes, but I never stay long enough in any of them to really feel so "at home."

I am always getting uprooted, in a way.


It is just a clear picture of what earthly life is like.

This is not my permanent address. I'm only passing through on my way to my final destination.

Today, as I was tidying up my things, preparing to leave again, I am reminded that the nature of this earthly life is transitory, and intended to give us a longing for joy that lasts... the permanence of heaven... the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Indeed, that is a place worth living... and dying, for.

Yes, Heaven...  a glorious, eternal, permanent place that God has prepared for those who are truly His!

I end this post with this powerful song, one of my top favorites.

The Father's Embrace

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I will be a Father to you

and you shall be sons and daughters to Me.

- 2 Corinthians 6:18

Of all the names of God that I have known and personally experienced, His name Abba Father is the one that is dearest to my heart.

My physical birth did not automatically make me a child of God… it was my spiritual birth that gave me that privilege. 

As Paul writes in Romans 8:14-17, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

I became a daughter of God my heavenly Father when I gave Him the keys to my heart and asked Him to sit on the throne as Sovereign Lord of my life.

Gradually I discovered the deep joy of calling God as Abba. 

Abba is an Aramaic word that is often among the first words that a Jewish infant first learns to speak, and so it comes naturally to a child to call his father Abba, a truly endearing word. Yet even adults address their fathers by that name. However, when they call their fathers Abba, it is not done with a sense of familiarity. It is done with a sense of intimacy and respect.

When the disciples of Jesus asked Him to teach them how to pray, the prayer He taught them began with these words, Our Father…

I dare say that it is only in Christianity where God wants to be known and called as Father. The gods of this world want to be feared… my heavenly Father draws near, and makes Himself known as our Dear Father.

When I began calling God as Abba, in the worship and devotional times I spend with Him, and even in my journal entries, I developed a nearness and closeness with Him that I never had before.

What a privilege I felt I had… to be able to call the God of the Universe, my Abba.

He is a very personal God, not one who is far or distant.

The truth is that my relationship with my Abba Father reminds me so much of my own relationship with my earthly father.

I called him Papa… and really, that beautiful name means all the world to me. He was a gentle soul, never spoke harshly, never demanded obedience of us his children. I loved to obey him, for whatever he asked of me made perfect sense. He was considerate, kind, and so trustworthy. He would never hurt us in any way. His kindness made me want to obey and follow anything he said.

Having a father like that makes a daughter grow up feeling so loved and valued and treasured.

Just like the kind of love Abba Father has for us.

And today, what a privilege it is to bless my third grandson, Joyful One, as he celebrates the six month of his first year.

I've been in Manila for nearly a month now, and I miss hugging this cuddly little boy, who is always laughing and smiling! 

Just six months ago with my heart weighed down in anxiety over the circumstances of his birth, I clearly heard my Abba Father whispering to me, The baby's name is Joyful One.

And what a perfect name it was, as his birth fell on the Feast of Tabernacles, also called The Season of Our Joy.

How beautifully everything falls into place. God has done that so often in my life, and my heart overflows with joy and thanksgiving.

My grandchildren, March 2015

Joyful One, Forerunner and Full of Hope, Peaceful One

Dear grandson, my Joyful One,

As you celebrate your sixth month of life, I am so glad that you have a good earthly father who loves you so much. Your Papa models for you what a father was designed to be, a father who will show his children what the heart of their heavenly Father is like.

Your heart is soft and tender, so full of joy and gladness.

I love it when you laugh at just about anything. Your heart overflows with joy.

You are truly a joyful one.

And I pray today that you will discover at an early age what it is like to have God as your very own Abba Father.

May your heart hunger to know God more, and may you be drawn to a very close and intimate relationship with your heavenly Father.

May your heart desire to walk in love and obedience before God.

And I declare that as a young man, you will lead many others to know God as their own Abba Father.

May you experience often the warm embrace of the Father. I bless you dear child with security and spiritual insight, knowing that you are safe and secure in the arms of your Abba Father.

What an awesome privilege it is for me to have you as my very own grandson! You are truly special to me, a special gift handpicked by my very own Abba Father, to bring delight and joy to my heart!

Here are two special songs for you, dear Joyful One:

In the garden where our Savior prayed
Our salvation was secured
As He prayed, "Not My will but Yours be done."
Who can know the torments of the cross
Where His grace and love outpoured
The Suffering Servant is God's only Son

Abba Father Lord God Almighty
Holy Father, we give You glory

And in our darkest moments
With shadows closing in
The Spirit helps His family to pray
He gives us understanding
He helps us in our need
He gives us the ability to say

Abba Father Lord God Almighty
Holy Father, we give You glory

October 8, 2014 - In His Time

November 8, 2014 - If God Be For Us (Jehovah Sabaoth)

December 8, 2014 - In Whom We Live and Have Our Being (Jehovah Shammah)

January 8, 2015 - Faithful and True

February 8, 2015 - To the Three in One: My Morning Song (Three In One)
March 8, 2015 - Provision for the Vision (Jehovah Jireh)

April 8, 2015 - The Father's Embrace (Abba Father)

Choosing Joy

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I have said these things to you,
that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.
- John 16:33

Granddaughter Shalom, Peaceful One is two months old today.

It's hard to believe that it's been eight weeks since she was born!

I've been in Manila for three weeks already, so I have not seen this little one for quite some time. But she, and my three other grandchildren are never far from my thoughts. Each morning I lift them all up to my heavenly Father for His protection and care to surround them.

And today, as my youngest grandchild celebrates her second month, I am praying for God's joy to fill and saturate her young life.

The Bible verse quoted above was very much on my heart as I remembered her very early this morning.

There will always be trouble, difficulties, suffering, and disappointments in this world… but Jesus builds courage into us as He says, Take heart, I have overcome the world.

Joy is indeed a choice that we can make daily. 

I can't remember when joy began to take a prominent role in my life. All I can say is that at this point in my life, joy seems to be my constant companion in my journey.

Jesus' words take heart is also translated be of good cheer… or take courage… or be encouraged.

A joyful heart is a strong heart… it can face anything. It can endure difficulties, it can survive a devastating storm.

When I look back at the different chapters of my life story, I can pinpoint the turning points, and those were the instances when I found myself falling to hit the rock bottom of disappointment, or pain. And yet, in all those rock bottom events of my life, never once did I hit bedrock. Always, always, Jesus my Savior and Redeemer was there whispering, "Be of good cheer… I am here."

So comforting and so reassuring it has been, that in the darkest night seasons of my life, the joy of heaven has brought the brightest light.

How my heart surges with joy at the thought that if God is our Abba Avinu, and Yeshua HaMashiach is our Redeemer, and Ruach HaKadosh is our Breath of Life, then indeed joy can be our daily portion.

Heavenly Father builds strength inside of us by pouring His joy into our hearts to overflowing… if we will but choose to let Him.

Joy is a choice…

So my dearest Shalom, Peaceful One… today I bless you with overflowing joy.

I declare that joy will be your daily portion and constant companion as you travel through life.

May Abba Father surround your heart with songs of joy and heavenly laughter. 

My little granddaughter, you will cultivate the beauty of a joyful heart… in your responses and daily choices.

Your heart will be filled with song and laughter as you grow up.

Peaceful One… indeed you can be at peace in the midst of difficult circumstances, when your being is saturated with joy!

I bless you on this special day with overflowing joy!

Day of Birth - Undivided (Peace)

One month old - Growing the Fruit (Love)