Tuesday, April 29, 2008

MY BAD!

I was oblivious on whether she was just parked and waiting for somebody to climb up her car or waiting for the car that was backing up so she could take over the parking space. I swirved to her left side and unaware of the offense I was about to commit I just went on ahead and took the parking space that was meant for her. As soon as I got out of my car I heard somebody scream off the top of her lungs. The words coming out of her mouth were thrown towards my direction like a rocket grenade fired from an RPG. She felt offended...I felt embarassed and like a wild animal defending his teritory I wanted so badly to retaliate and say the words "Right Back At Ya!' But I felt a conviction so strong, I backed off and instead did the opposite ... I apologized! A transposition took place, now if I were in her shoes and the same exact thing happened to me I would not immediately assume that the person who stole my parking space was oblivious on whether I was waiting for a parking space or just parking by the side while waiting for a companion, I too would have felt offended to say the least. She accepted my apologies but was still obviously upset. We parted ways, I felt peace that only the Holy Spirit can provide.

And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him take your cloak as well.

Matthew 5:40

Sunday, April 27, 2008

PAJIE



Sixteen years ago at exactly one in the morning my wife and I were blessed by God with a bouncing baby girl. Amazing how time flies, now she's all grown up ipod and all and then some. It is the joy of knowing that she remains to be a God fearing individual that continues to comfort me. I hope and pray that she would remain steadfast in her faith in Jesus. This in spite of the speed bumps that she would have to encounter as she is faced with the reality of having to attempt to traverse the treacherous highways of life.

Happy Birthday Pajie, may you continue to remain the sweet and loving child that you are!!!

Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.

Proverbs 20:11

Friday, April 25, 2008

EPIFANIO



He took the risk to say what I had to hear, I sat with utter discomfort as I listened to what he was about to tell me. I was about to become defensive over the words that came out of his mouth until I realized that there was really nothing to defend about if the person telling me all these speak only of the truth. I asked a question... "How did you know all these? How is it that you were able to read my thoughts? to which he replied...I can only say these things to you, because I AM YOU." As a recepient of these words of wisdom, I will forever be greatful...Though the words hit me hard...It it did knock some sense out of me. Thank You Epifanio...You are FAMILY!

Faithful are the wounds of a friend. But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 27:6

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Calm After The Storm

Once again a little bit of peace and tranquility. But I await with caution the next batch of storms...How long must I hold down the fort O God?...In you and you alone shall I find strength with a steady supply of wisdom coming from the people whom you send towards my path.

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him. For the help of His countenance

Psalm 42:5

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Exhausted

I am battle scarred, tired and on the verge of giving up... but my hope is in Jesus who continues to give me the strength to hold on. Father, I am walking on thin ice but I know that you will let it remain solid no matter how long I will be walking on top of it.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my bruden is light.

Matthew 11:28-29

Monday, April 21, 2008

Tete-a-Tete






Miguel and I work together and oftentimes we would both engage ourselves in a little colloquy about anything under the sun. He thinks that I am an intersesting person to converse with. Today, of all the topics in the world we discussed about religion he claims to believe in a Supreme Being but thinks it is crazy to believe in Jesus being the Son of God who gave His life for the sins of men. He asked me point blank if I believed that Jesus is the Son of God my initial thought was that I should rather err in the side of caution as I did not want to engage in a debate with Miguel certainly not in the middle of work. But instead, I looked at him straight in the eye and said "yes I believe that Jesus is the Son of God". He thought this was crazy but I just gradually and gently spoke about my not being religious yet maintaining a personal relationship with God. I have not gone full circle with Miguel and it is going to be an uphill battle (it's gonna take a lot of work I would imagine). But I know that God ordained that moment perhaps to plant a seed. Please pray for Miguel that he may know Jesus in a personal way and pray for me that I may be able to go beyond just telling him that I believe that Jesus is the Son of God but that I could explain with love and eagerness why I hold this position and then proceed to minister to Miguel and share the joy that I have inside because of having a personal relationship with Jesus.


I am the way the truth and the life no one else can come to the Father except through me.


John 14:6

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Unreachable Star

A Movie Actor and Singer who was very popular back in the 60s had everything... he had a good and beautiful wife, three wonderful kids, money and fame. But it seemed like all these were not enough, he later became a philanderer and had gone the way of the world and it was not surprising to everyone that this would soon be the primary reason behind the collapse of his marriage. He later lived a low key life where he finally gave his life to Jesus and became an evangelist. Since then he has reconciled with his wife and children and now enjoys spending time with his twelve grandkids. He also continues to serve God as a Chruch Choir Director and an Evangelist. Asked by a journalist if he has finally reached the "Unreachable Star" his reply was... "the Unreachable Star (alluding to Jesus) has gone down to reach out to me."

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:26

Friday, April 18, 2008

Severe Weather


Yesterday as was the week before North Texas was under a Severe Weather, last week several parts of the DFW metroplex witnessed the sirens go off as some of their roofs were blown off by the strong winds. Yesterday evening when I was watching the news and monitoring the weather the meteorologist kept on warning the viewers to stay inside their homes, keep away from the windows and if possible go down to the basement area. I live in the second floor of an apartment building, we have no basement area all we could do is pray and trust God and at the very least stay inside the bathroom and huddle ourselves within the tub whenever a tornado warning comes up.
In life we go through unpredictable situations that hit us like a tornado and much like a severe weather these things are beyond our control. The only comfort that we have is that whatever the outcome of these situations ... God is fully in control and will not allow us to go through a trial that is beyond our capacity to endure.
Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "YOU OF LITTLE FAITH. WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Matthew 8:23-26

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Boss





My boss asked me to come inside her office while I was in the middle of my work today. On my way to the office I was in a quandary as to why I was being called into her office. Although a bit perplexed I continued to proceed towards her general direction, it was then that she told me that she was giving me a raise because my performance it seems was more than what the company had expected from me. I was overjoyed but was careful to immediately bring back all the glory to the Lord.

When the time comes for us to return to our Creator wouldn't it be neat to hear Him tell us how much He appreciates the work He has done through us for the expansion of His Kingdom and the salvation of many souls who otherwise would have ended up in hell had they not heard of the good news of the gospel and the saving knowledge of His son Jesus?

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life to mind your own business and to work with your hands just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

1Thessalonians 4:11-12

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Wave Rider

Surfers aim hard to find the right wave in order for them to have the ultimate stoke. A lot of people claim to have found religion or God albeit the lack of conversion. I did not find God ... I strongly believe that He chose me from the beginning of time to serve His purpose for His glory through the life that I live. I may go through a process of change yet in my imperfection I find comfort in His word, grace and mercy that compels me to have a more profound appreciation of the word "obedience". He gave me the right wave twenty years ago and up to this day I still continue to ride the same wave, there are occasional wipe outs but God keeps scooping me out of the current so I could climb back on my surfboard and paddle towards the swell that will eventually lead me to a state of ultimate stoke.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

John 15:16

Monday, April 14, 2008

Remiss


"Is it possible for Christians to miss the benefits of rest?"

Pastor Russel "Butch" Diwa

Senior Pastor of The Biblical Community Church

For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

Exodus 20:11

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Rainbow

There's a Rainbow always after the Rain.

"The interseting thing is that you cannot minister to others without being ministered to yourself. That's the glorious thing about ministry."

Chuck Smith
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel Movement

And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Job 42:10

Friday, April 11, 2008

Daunting



I go through the motions of change...I am incessantly reminded of how imperfect I am and how flawed my life is...But I serve a Perfect God whose grace and mercy sustains me daily.

For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work. When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law.

Romans 7:19-22

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Hope For A Nation


A survey was done in the United States, the Bible emerged as the book most read by the citizens of this beautiful nation. There is a good reason for the children of God to be in a state of jubilation. The Word Of God ... Salvation Through Jesus, His Son... Hope Springs ...Hope For A Nation!!!
So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:8-9

Monday, April 7, 2008

Illumination



Children of the Light...Children of the Living God...Shine in the midst of Darkness...Shine...Illuminate the Horizon with your lovely glow...Lord let me Shine...Shine like the moon...

Jesus said "I am the light of the world whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life."

John 8:12

You are the light of the world. A city on the hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

Sunday, April 6, 2008

What Controls You

Dissipation: unrestrained yield to pleasurable temptation.

Spirit Filled: relinquished fully to God's will.

Excerpts from the sermon of Pastor Russel "Butch" Diwa (April 6, 2008)

Do not get drunk with wine which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the spirit.

Ephesians 5:18

Friday, April 4, 2008

Beyond The Wild Blue Yonder






I was browsing through some of the text message on my cell phone's inbox and I noticed that I kept the final text messages that my best friend, Omie sent to me while I was about to board the plane that would take me from Manila to Los Angeles after a visit to my hometown of Bacolod in the Philippines last summer. The message content was as follows: "Bro, thanks for spending just a little time with us I pray for your safe trip home. I know I am gonna miss you...I will miss your company. Bye Bro." I was balling when I read it, sometimes it takes a while before a person could accept that someone who means so much to him is no longer around. I miss you Bro there is not a day that I wished you were still with us. I'll see you soon Bud!... beyond the Wild Blue Yonder.


A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.


Proverbs 18:24

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Narcissism

I was watching an entertainment news report about an actor who (after years of being in hiatus) was given an offer to do a movie which could have been his comeback project. After signing a contract with the movie outfit and after recieving a down payment for the said project he changed his mind. The reason behind the change of heart? The movie did not focus enough on the character that he would have played, his manager argued that if this was gonna be his comeback movie then one can infer to the fact that the whole storyline of the movie should have revolved around the actor's character. See now, this is very disturbing for me I guess I just have problems dealing with characters having an ego the size of the great state of Texas. I don't pretend to know the whole story but indeed if you examine the video of his manager's interview, I guess it speaks for itself. In contrast Jesus in the book of Philippians chapter two was the exact opposite, He is the Son of God yet He did not make such a big deal about it. Paul gives a rundown of the kind of humility that you would find in Jesus' character in his letter to the Philippian church.

Narcissism: an abnormal tendency to admire one's perfection (Webster's Dictionary).

Then Jesus said to His desciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, but yet forfiets his soul? Or what can man give in exchange for his soul?"

Matthew 16:24-26

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

GPS



When I need to find my way around areas unfamiliar to me a GPS can always come in handy. As we traverse the roads of our spiritual lives it helps to seek God through His word to keep us on the right track.

GPS: Gospel, Praise and Service...Can't go wrong if these three factor into your walk with Jesus.

Jesus answered, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life no one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Dollars And Cents



Are we in a recession or are we not in a recession? Should we rely on man's economy? ....Or trust in God's economy?

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat? What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:31-34