I am so proud of my sister Malu and my niece Clarissa. Just a few weeks after it’s release, my sister’s book “Embracing God’s Purpose for My Special Child has been featured by the newspapers, magazines, radio and more. My sister took many years to finish this book and it’s one book that every parent should read whether or not they have a special child. Below is a description of her book.  There is a chapter in the book about the financial challenges of raising a special child.

If you are interested in getting a copy, visit http://www.bookworm.ph/

—————————————-

Author Malu Tiongson Ortiz shares her journey as mother to her Down syndrome child Clarissa. Malu talks openly about her fears and difficulties, and helps others learn from her experience.

The book is enriched with testimonies from other parents of special children, plus useful resources and practical advice.

Malu’s hope is infectious. Be inspired by her firm belief that God has a special plan not just for Clarissa, but also for those whose life she touches.

“I have given so many parenting seminars all over the country I’ve lost count as to how many I’ve done so far. But one of the best experiences I had was when I gave a talk to the parents of special children. There is just something special with the love the parents have for “their special gift” from God. But this kind of parenting journey is littered with a lot of triumphs and tragedies along the way. Malu’s book digs deep into the heart. She articulates her feelings and experiences so well it is a must read for all parents. This book warms the heart.” – Francis J. Kong

Book Excerpt
I believe that God did not give me the special task of mothering Clarissa just so that I should teach her her letters and numbers. He did not design her to learn the ways of the world. God designed our special child to be an instrument to teach us to focus on heavenly things.

Finally got my own column at Money Sense Magazine, the country’s first and only Personal Finance magazine. I’ve been a contributing writer for sometime now but having my own column at a magazine I really admire is a big thrill for me.

Thank you Heinz Bulos (Ed-in-Chief). Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for all these… God is good, all the time!

In a barrage of new age thinking and the on-going popularity of the ‘attraction’ myth and all that, people are being lead to believe what is essentially the opposite of the truth. The book “The Secret” has a huge following and even the pirated copy of the DVD is very popular. This ‘new age’ myth is so big that there is even a ‘Pinoy’ movie version coming out soon.

All source of prosperity comes from the Lord and nowhere else. While I am an advocate of personal finance planning, I know that all of this is for naught without the grace of the Lord. My personal belief is rooted in my faith in the Lord and my philosophy is anchored on the only material that can explain the real truth – the Bible.

I am going to annoy a lot of people by saying this but I’ll say it anyway: I believe that this ‘new’ thinking is a form of idolatry and therefore, I avoid it.

“How can intelligent people turn to idolatry? Idolatry begins when people reject what they know about God. Instead of looking to him as the Creator and sustainer of life, they see themselves as the center of the universe. The soon invent ‘gods’ that are convenient projections of their own selfish plans and decrees. These gods maybe wooden figures, but they may also be goals or things we pursue such as money, power, or comfort. They may even be misrepresentations of God himself – making God in our image, instead of the reverse. The common denominator is this – idolaters worship the things God made rather than God himself. “ – taken from the Life application study Bible (Zondervan).

Want real prosperity? Work hard, stay out of debt and spend less than what you make (and invest the difference). More importantly, acknowledge and depend on the Lord’s grace for everything in your life. Real prosperity starts when you believe in Christ.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21, NIV)