It's that time of the year

It's that time again in local tv-newsdom when they will interview a psychic or a feng-shui expert and asks what "will" happen on the next year (even it's more than two months before the Chinese new year they already talk about year of the what animal). They will present to the viewers what to do to bring in good luck: The usual round fruits and polka dots "according to the experts". Then at the end of the segment they will do a "biglang-kabig" or "biglang-bawi" saying it's ok to do them but what's more important is caution and faith in God with perhaps a minimal airtime interview with a religous leader. This baffles me every time.

Patienty Waiting

Twenty-four months and counting
My love for you grows bigger, deeper
Every minute passing by,
Every smile you grant this weary and undeserving soul

Lord, I have nothing but humble gratitude, solemn praise
For this beautiful thing You have made
May the good Lord bless our hands
As we walk towards the consummation of our love

Till that day when I will finally call you mine
And you call me yours
I will patiently wait
My love, my best friend

Victory of the Lamb

"These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."

Revelations 17:14

I like this verse I came across with this morning... In the end of all things, despite our current trials and troubles come retribution. In our hopes and dreams come fulfillment and realization. Because our God is an awesome God, King of all kings. And we will reign with him.

Day in the Life: Laptop Ressurection and Jesus Christ Superstar

Monday. The day after Sunday.

I'm missing Netty right now because she's still out there. Actually I miss her more than before.

Today finally wraps up my laptop makeover. Finally my notebook was literally portable again. I got my newly "refilled" batteries in Amorsolo. It was just through an accidental visit to a laptop shop that I discovered that dead Li-on laptop batteries can still be "refilled" and you don't have to buy an 8k-ish brand-new and branded batteries. So after a few weeks I have my laptop good as new: got a new casing and paint job, new batteries, got a new wi-fi adapter (I lost my old one), a new external DVD writer (the built in doesn't work anymore). I also bought this thin rubber sheet you put over your laptop keyboard so it doesn't accumulate dust (I saw this on one of my client's notebook). Now I'm thinking of having a router at home and have a cool sticker on top of my notebook.

Class today at Theo 2 was a bit laid back. I feel that my prof's a bit unenthusiastic about our class because we're only five. But I do get him and appreciate when he teaches us. We're still on the topic of Christology. And it's timely that I have this subject because somehow it adds to my current season of revisitation of my faith and who I am as a person in this world, where is my place in this world. After 30 minutes of lecture, we watched Jesus Christ Superstar which I haven't seen before this. Interesting and I would like to see it again in detail because at that time we were watching from a laptop and I don't have my glasses with me (I lost it again after our outreach in PGH).

I almost forgot that stint we had at PGH last Saturday. After a month of promotion and solicitations we were able to raise twice our target so the kids and their families were quite blessed. I'm glad that it was a success. It was participated by more or less 30 people from our church. And we were able to minister to 90 children from the pediatric ward. That day there was a bit of mishap when we were scheduled together with another group but its all good, Jolibee was even their to spread some holiday cheer. What's important is that the children are blessed.

On a sad note, Sunday morning before I preached on the Valenzuela pulpit we were given a shocking news that a member who goes there and I know personally had died of heart attack that evening. So most of the church was grieving. But when you try to look on a positive side, good thing he knew the Lord, especially knowing his story of turning away and returning again to Him, I know that finally he is somewhere better than here. So good for him.

Unacceptable

"You made me like this." Have you ever thought of that? Heard it from a movie I saw recently. I could say a couple of litanies that starts with that. It's easy to say words like that. Psychology even justifies that our environment molds us to become the person that we've become, to conform in order to survive. It's easy to say and put off the burden off our shoulders and hold the other person accountable for your misery. I even worry that because I'm hypothetically in this environment that I would become the people I loathe. But. But I choose. I choose not to be liable to my past. My past does not and will not dictate my present and my future. I choose. I choose not to surrender to mediocrity and corruption of the will. Succumbing to the flow of circumstances because it's unevitable is unacceptable. Nothing is impossible. Impossible is nothing. My children will not suffer what I suffered. I am who I am so I will give my descendants a better Life. I. Choose. My Destiny.

Under Control (Updated Entry)

“Look down, yourself (Satan), on this perspective that is so dear to you. Think of the thousands upon thousands who rise each day and go to sleep without ever thinking or doing evil, whose hearts are set upon their wives, their husbands, their fathers and mothers, their children, upon the harvest and the spring rain and the new wine and the new moon. Think of them in every land and every language, think of them as they hunger for the Word of God even where there is no one to give it to them, how they reach out for it, and how they turn from pain and misery and injustice, no matter what you would have them do!”

~ Jesus, Christ the Lord

The time when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness

I have this fear that I would become like Batman or any of his villains. That because of the injustice done to him or the people around him he is pushed to the brink, a step more from the edge of silent suffering. That when that time comes, he had to act on this monster he's been feeding inside. The monster has becomes himself. Harsh, but it's only a metaphor, you get the point.

I have to constantly remind myself that life is not all evil. It is not all “going to hell” that you over-expose evil by your cynicism more than you magnify God (and those that represents him--faith, hope and love) by your gratitude and a calm surrender that life is good, it's gonna be okay He still sits on the throne. Because if you look closely enough, His presence and goodness manifests in the plain, the routine, the unexpected, the simple, the beautiful, the intimacy and devotion, the anticipation and hope.

Under Control

“Look down, yourself (Satan), on this perspective that is so dear to you. Think of the thousands upon thousands who rise each day and go to sleep without ever thinking or doing evil, whose hearts are set upon their wives, their husbands, their fathers and mothers, their children, upon the harvest and the spring rain and the new wine and the new moon. Think of them in every land and every language, think of them as they hunger for the Word of God even where there is no one to give it to them, how they reach out for it, and how they turn from pain and misery and injustice, no matter what you would have them do!”

~ Jesus, Christ the Lord

The time when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness

I have to constantly remind myself that life is not all evil. It is not all “going to hell” that you over-expose evil by your cynicism more than you magnify God (and those that represents him--faith, hope and love) by your gratitude and a calm surrender that life is good, it's gonna be okay He still sits on the throne. Because if you look closely enough, His presence and goodness manifests in the plain, the routine, the unexpected, the simple, the beautiful, the intimacy and devotion, the anticipation and hope.

Don't Grow Weary

Yesterday was one of those days. I feel drained and pointless. Praying to God for direction, or for the quickening of His plans, or what I think to be His plan for my life. I am like a person wrapped in bubble wrap that needs to seriously get out and fly away. I turned off the radio. Started talking vocally to Him as if He's just sitting beside me. I told Him my worries, my frustrations. Even things that are self-indulgent and out of reason, I told Him. I just need acknowledge it and not deny it. And I turn on the radio again, the message of the preacher said: Don't give up when times are rough. Don't grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9).

Don't Grow Weary (Martyn Nystrom)

Don't grow weary in doing well

Don't surrender in the fight

Keep on storming the gates of hell

Keep on doing what you know is right

For there will be seasons of testing

And there may be weeping for a night

But soon we'll be reaping a blessing

If we keep pressing on towards the prize

Keep on praying in the Spirit

Keep on walking in the Light

Don’t be fearful or discouraged

Keep on doing what you know is right

Day in the Life

Last Tuesday and Wednesday I had a quick trip to Cebu. I was tagged along by Ptr. Sur to check out the venues for the upcoming national youth convergence on May 2009. This was a better visit to Cebu compared to the last one in 2006 I think that was also a national youth convergence. Food was really great, especially the eat-all-you-cans and sugbas. Cebu is already a modern metropolis, a good alternative place to live in besides polluted Manila.

Raves:

- One of our youth that studies in Mapua won a Mr. & Ms. college as representative to the intercollege pageant competition. 

- Another is competing today for the national bible quiz competition in CCP. 

- Another is taking her 2nd board exam in nursing.

I am blessed to have ministered to them.

Yesterday morning I spoke to some group of students in UE Caloocan. It was like a university wide thing which gathered all the registered organization's staff & officials. It was spearheaded by the overall student council of that university. I talked about attitude as part of their spiritual renewal talk part of the day. It was great. Though I feel that I need to practice more on confidence and speaking straight English. I need to put more time in preparation.

From Baguio with Love

I wrote last Monday morning to my friends & family: "I am happy to let you know that last Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 3:50AM, I asked Dra. Antonette Cadimas, the love of my life for 1 year and 10 months now, to marry me. I proposed to her at the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (where we first met, October 2006) in Baguio City. And I am happier to let you know that she said "yes". Thanks for all the prayers and support knowing that in one way or another you have rooted for us and glad to see us through. Please continue to pray for us as we ready ourselves for that most special day when we finally commit our lives together before the Lord as husband and wife."

Picture paints a thousand words: http://petrosrocks.multiply.com/photos/album/139/From_Baguio_with_Love

I've never been happier, sure and thankful in my life.

“When you want something, all the universe conspires helps you to achieve it.”

~ King Melchizedek, The Alchemist