Riding the Brakes #Parenting

February 14, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

Riding the Brakes
I see parents all the time who are working very hard to correct their children, but they don’t realize it doesn’t have to be so hard. If they would invest more time in building a relationship—hit the gas a little harder—they would discover it’s much easier to steer.

That analogy poses the question: What gets in the way of building a relationship? Sometimes we blame our lack of time, because we’re just too busy. In the analogy, that’s like running out of gas. Other times we blame our children’s stubbornness. They don’t want a relationship with us and push us away. That’s like having a flat tire. We’re not going anywhere until we pull off to the side of our paths and change an attitude or two.

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.””

‭‭James‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Both our lack of time and their stubbornness can be factors in why the relationship isn’t gaining much acceleration. However, I’d like to suggest another reason, one I think is actually much more common than we recognize. Many parents are riding down the road with one foot on the gas and the other foot on the brake. And the name of that brake pedal is pride.

Three times in God’s Word, pride is linked to resistance. Peter and James both tell us, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” The writer of Proverbs says, “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.” I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking that if God says something three times, it must be really important to Him. Here’s my paraphrase: in a relationship with God, humility hits the gas and pride hits the brakes.

God warns us repeatedly about pride because it destroys our relationship with Him. God does not want your life to implode into self-centeredness like a black hole that collapses into nothingness under its own gravity. But it’s pretty hard to worship your Creator when you are High Priest of My Way in the Temple of Me.
*Do you see pride or selfishness in your own life that is affecting or being picked up on by your child?

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Your Change Begins with You

January 24, 2016November 29, 2022 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

Your Change Begins with You
If you have made your mind up that you intend to enjoy the best life God has for you, then you must realize that the change you’re waiting for begins in you. You must believe what God’s Word says about you more than you believe what others say or what your feelings or own mind say. Your circumstances aren’t your problem, because they won’t last—but until you change your thinking, no matter what’s going on in your life, you’ll still be stuck.

Maybe you have had negative messages fed to you since you were a child. It could have been parents who had troubles themselves and took their frustrations out on you. It could have been a teacher who delighted in belittling you in front of the class. Perhaps your parents excessively compared you to another sibling, giving you the impression, you were flawed. You may have experienced one or more broken relationships and become convinced it was your fault. But, whatever the reason for your self-doubt and negative attitude toward yourself, it has to change if you truly desire to enjoy God’s best in your life.

See yourself as God sees you, not the way the world sees you or even the way you see yourself. Study God’s Word and you will find out that you are precious, created in your mother’s womb by God’s own hand. You are not an accident. Even if your parents told you they never really wanted you, I can assure you that God wants you; otherwise, you would not be here on earth. You are valuable, you have worth, you are gifted, you are talented, and you have a purpose on this earth. God says that He has called you by your name and you are His.

Take a minute to look into your heart. What do you see there? How do you feel about yourself? If your answer does not agree with God’s Word, I want to encourage you to begin today renewing your mind about yourself.

Trust in Him

God says in His Word that you belong to Him and that you’re uniquely and carefully created by Him. Do you believe it?

From the book Trusting God Day by Day

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#PhotoaDay Challenge

January 20, 2016November 29, 2022 EllyFilho1 Comment

It is not necessary

It is not necessary to improve your appearance, get a lot of culture, raise the heels of your shoes, or make more noise.
We need to reduce the noise, walk more slowly, pay attention to those arriving, lower our heads and put the humility to work. We are big, when we are small.

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#PhotoAdAy

January 20, 2016November 29, 2022 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

#30DayPhoto

photo 23884528311_1342d51a42_z.jpg — Day 2 what I wore

I started a 30-day photo challenge and only did a day one.
Didn’t get to keep going. My days have been so busy I can’t keep up with all I’ve set up myself to do.

I started way too many challenges and I never finish LOL.
I wanted to upload all the images up to date so I can catch up in this post and go on day to day as the days go on. I do apologize to the people who follow my blog and expect it to be so right all the time, but hey! I’m only human.

First of all, I’m a wife, (to a pastor of a church) and a mom to 3 teens 🙂 (so this includes all mom and wife duties LOL)
We go to church 3 times a week
I’m currently on a 365-day prayer challenge that I do every day (just don’t have the time to post it)
I’m on a Theological school that I have to study and do a test every month (that’s in Portuguese and extremely hard because of the language) I’m taking a 6.00.1x introduction to computer science as a tool to solve real-world analytical problems at MIT. (Also, really hard and time-consuming)

I have online media groups that requires me to post every day or every week in order for me to remain a member (time-consuming)
So, keeping up with all this and feeling sick, and all doctors appointments is not easy but it’s something I love to do. It’s me 🙂
I just wanted to ask for patience .. and say thank you!

photo IMG_0022.jpg — Day 5 – From a High Angle

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#DIY Life Hacks

January 18, 2016November 29, 2022 EllyFilho1 Comment

“Removing Scuffs from Shoes:
1. Dab the q-tip or cloth in coconut oil spread to needed area, then wipe/rub over the scuffs. I had to do this quite a bit rubbed very lightly, till it was all dissolved.

Experts recommend sanitizing brushes every 15 days.
Baby shampoo is great for cleaning it has to be shampoo with neutral pH.

The cleaning may be the same for all kinds of brushes, there is no need to have a different technique for each type.
Paper towel is more practical to dry the excess water. Let it dry over a towel before storing.

“(…) Keep the brushes away from moisture and aways wash them, especially those in use around the eye area and mouth and those used in creamy or liquid products. If you do not have a specific product to clean them, let them soak for at least a half an hour in a bowl with warm water, some detergent and baking soda. Then under running water, rub the brushes gently on a white plate. This way you can find out when they get really clean. Then, place them on a towel, let the excess water drain until dry and if required, use the hair dryer to give it a quick blow.

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Don’t pretend something didn’t happen.

January 18, 2016January 18, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #14

Praying for Persecutors

The first mention of prayer in the New Testament is an injunction to pray for those who persecute you. Praying for those who have hurt you takes your relationship with God to an entirely different level. It affords you an opportunity to look honestly at the hurt and anger you feel, and to be realistic with God about the offenses that were committed against you. God never expected you to pretend that something bad didn’t happen.

Praying for those who persecute you also allows you to examine the reasons that you might hesitate to hand that hurt and anger over to God. This is a place of honesty and truth. As you are honest with God, He can help you comprehend the freeing truth about your situation. Free from bitterness, you begin to see your persecutor through God’s eyes. You can pray that he or she will come to that same place of freedom that you have found, so that everything that was wrong can finally be set right.

Lord God, when I think about those who have hurt me, I…

This came to me on a day I needed it the most. I was feeling so bitter, upset and hurt. I’m not the type of person to get attached, but I have a lot of feelings and when I get hurt, I hold on to it like it’s my best friend. That feeling that never wants to let go of me. It’s horrible. I hate it. Instead of me handling it over to God and letting it go. I hold on. By doing what this lesson teaches me to do, I can start to comprehend the true freeing of the truth. If I get realistic with the truth, praying for those that has hurt me, it will take my relationship with God to an entirely different level. A superior level where I’ve never been before.

A 365 Days Challenge Day #15

Making a Difference

Your prayers for cities and nations are never wasted. You never know whose life you will change forever through prayer. The first example of intercession in the Bible is Abraham negotiating with God on behalf of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. “If you find ten righteous people in Sodom,” Abraham asks, ” will you save the city from destruction?” What was Abraham thinking? Rather than focus on everything that was wrong, he looked for that sliver of hope, that opportunity for God to intervene.

In the same way, as you look around you, find opportunities for God to show up. Pray for His intervention in schools, governments, media, entertainment, families, churches, and businesses. The chaos in our world has a solution: the God who listens to and answers our prayers. The change that’s needed might come through your prayers. You may never run for president or own a business or make a movie, but your influence can be felt everywhere if you are willing to intercede.

God, when I hear bad news, my first response is to…

To be honest, I no longer watch the news. I don’t watch television. It’s not a part of my life anymore. Although I read about it on the media. It still doesn’t make me want to watch it. I still pray for our Nation, Schools, President, Hospitals, prisons, and families around the world. I have rested all the caused and chaos of this world in God’s hands.

“”” Sorry about the double post but I’m behind. I wasn’t feeling too good and didn’t have time to post “””

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Life often throws things at us

January 17, 2016January 17, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #13

The presence of God

A small child was walking through a busy supermarket with her mother. All around her were bright colors and interesting shapes, sounds and smells, a whole world to explore. As her other pondered a purchase, this child was attracted by a balloon display in the next aisle. Slipping quietly away, she went to investigate. Then something else caught her attention, and she took a few steps in that direction. This went on for a minute or two, until she looked up and realized that her mother was nowhere in sight and she had no idea how to find her. She had left her mother’s comforting presence. She was lost.

The habit of prayer keeps God’s comforting presence close. Life often throws things at us that we are not prepared to handle on our own.

When trouble strikes, as it usually does, without warning, you are in a much stronger place with God at your side than you would be with Him far away. Staying “prayed up” keeps you in a place of safety.

Lord, when trouble strikes, the first thing I do is…

When trouble strikes the first thing I do is fall onto my knees. I’ve never seen so much of God in my life like I’ve faced the most devastated problems you can’t imagine. When I face Any problems I bow down in prayer. I pray and I believe in miracles. I believe with all my heart in the God I serve.

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There is a time and a place

January 12, 2016January 12, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #11

Pray Aloud

There is a time and a place for silent prayer ___ in a library, on a bus, in school, and in many other settings where talking out loud to God might not be appropriate. But praying aloud should be part of your daily routine if at all possible. Speech helps to clarify and solidify your thoughts. A great time and place to pray aloud is when you’re home, in your own room alone. But, since cell phones with Bluetooth devices have become popular, it’s common to see people walking down the sidewalk in an animated conversation with someone that isn’t physically present with them. You can pray aloud in public, and most people will assume you’re on the phone.

Praying aloud is a great way to experience God more completely. Vocalizing your prayers also gives you practice for those situations where you might be called upon to pray for someone else. If you’ve never prayed with your voice before, the hardest part is getting started. Go ahead, give it a try! You’ll do just fine.

Heavenly Father, when I pray aloud I pray aloud to You, I feel…

I feel like I can be heard I feel like our relationship is real.

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Taste and see…

January 11, 2016January 12, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #10

Blind faith has never been a requirement for following God. The so-called leap of faith is really only a small hop, like stepping across a little mud puddle, not a suicide jump across a canyon of impossibility. God allows us to verify his existence by looking into the heavens and seeing their scope and wonder, by exploring the intricate design of life and marveling at the Creator. The Bible invites us to taste and see that God is good. God wants to be experienced by you.

In a way, this journey is like courtship. As you place into God’s hands more and more of the pieces of your life, you discover who God really is and how He really feels about you. You learn what He means when He says, ” I love you.” In you prayers, share your doubts and fears with God. Ask Him how you can discover who He really is in those areas. Let Him reveal Himself to you in a way that you can experience.

Lord God, my idea of experiencing You is…

My idea of experiencing you is by sharing with you what I can’t share with anyone else, or nowhere else.