Saturday, March 24, 2007

My encouragement

A chubby, dark skinned young boy. Now a talented slim young man out to conquer the world with his talents.

A very skinny boy, quite tall for his age. Known for his naughty antics and jokes. Now pursuing information technology and becoming an expert in lighting and sounds.

A broody, silent young lad. Now a confident young man pursuing a career to help heal people.

A chinky, cute young woman. Now called to minister to young people while carrying on with her profession in dentistry.

A young girl who made me an accountability partner in her pursuit of purity. Right now, she is a student of arts and very much excelling.

I remember each one them. I remember that in little ways, I ministered to them. I do not know if they remember me. Maybe just a little. Maybe they do not.

I often wonder. Especially at times when I think that whatever I have done and am still doing seems futile.

But then, I get assured that all I have done for God will not be in vain.

When I see that young lad jump for joy as he sings worship songs. When I marvel on how the self-assured young man lead a meeting with people older than he. When I see that young lady remain to her desire to be pure. When I see the still lean young man raise his arms in praise songs and cry out unabashedly to his Lord. When I see that young woman with a disciple of her own.

I got reminded also that many years ago, I did think that I ministered to them. Yet, in reality, they also ministered to me to. They were the ones who prompted me to remain true to the cause. I never wanted to be a counterfeit example. I want to be genuine to the core.

There are many years yet to come. Give and take, around 50 years or so.

If only I could make a difference in one, just one life, for each of those 50 years, I would count myself blessed.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Amplified advertisement

An advertisement along EDSA says :

Imagine a party that never ends…

I dare not imagine. I can see the ending already. I would die. Har har har. Even party animals need time to rest in order to boost their energy.

The power of advertisement.

I just read today the history of the largest publishing group in Europe. The focus of the founder then was to show the products as they really. Then shifted to show how these products are created. What came next is the power of the representation.

These days, it is a mixture of all these and some more. Thus, a culture all its own was created. Tentacles spread all around. Influencing all our senses.

I just hope we don't just plain believe them. Try and know. Then believe.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

I want to chase the lion

Lion Chaser Manifesto

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.
Grab life by the mane.
Set God-sized goals.
Pursue God-ordained passions.
Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.
Keep asking questions.
Keep making mistakes.
Keep seeking God.
Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution.
Stop repeating the past and start creating the future.
Stop playing it safe and start taking risks.
Expand your horizons.
Accumulate experiences.
Consider the lilies.
Enjoy the journey.
Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can.
Live like today is the first day and last day of your life.
Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God.
Burn sinful bridges.
Blaze a new trail.
Criticize by creating.
Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks.
Don’t try to be who you’re not.
Be yourself.
Laugh at yourself.
Quit holding out.
Quit holding back.
Quit running away.

from www.theaterchurch.com

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Haha....




Sometimes...

There are days that I wish that I could bring back things I have done or words that I said. There are days that I wish that I didn't think the way I did. Especially when I am in the wrong side of things. Or that is what I think.

There are times that I wish that I live in my own little world and not be concerned about anything and everything. There are moments that I wish that there are no responsibilities and I just need to think about my own.

There are periods that I yearn to open up myself and fear not the judgments or the need for explanations. There are times that I desire to retreat and just be quiet at the side. The are times that I wish I am not the one who always seemed to be so understanding and listening and instead be understood and be listened to.

There are momens that I wish that I am not who I am yet knowing that I could not go back to how I was before. There are times that I wish I could cry and not stop until there are no more tears that would drop. Times I wish I am already in the presence of God and remain there in his peace.

Yet that cannot be. Not yet.

I am here on earth. Running the race. Faltering, running out of breath. I only need to reach out for the helping hand. It is there for sure, I know. I just wish I could always have the faith to hold on to it.

Friday, March 02, 2007

A sense of justice

I know you finished more than ten years of school. I know you are an expert in your field. But could you blame me for getting really pissed? I waited more than 3 hours. I became hungry. If only I could say that this is unique but I noticed that it is a habit. I find it unjust. Like a friend has mentioned, you do not give us the respect due us. Yes, we are “just” your patients but you are getting your bread and butter from us. Good thing, there are representatives from your field that honor us. They come on time. They know time is money. Not just for you but for all of us.

A paradox. Too heavy a word. But it is the right description when you ask me to leave my bag with you that contains my most expensive tool: my beloved laptop. When on your side it is mentioned : Please do not leave your valuables. The management shall not be held liable for any losses (or something like this…). And when I asked you, you said that you would take care of the contents? It is nor your fault. You are just following orders. But then, the powers-that-be should check the soundness of their instructions. Maybe it is time to adjust them? I know their precautions are valid. But we also have a right to safeguard our treasures.

Whaaaat? P100 to plug in my laptop for one hour? But that already represents two days’ electricity for our household of 5!!! Even though we are eating at your restaurant? And the wi-fi is even free mall-wide! Where is the sense of justice in that?!! My friend Gina who is familiar with the “standard” charges that companies make told me that this is acceptable, but my blood boils considering that in a lot of coffee shops the same service is given for free. And then they charge you for an additional sauce. Good thing I had enough spare battery. Now if only the coffee shops would always remain smoke-free…

Almost a hundred times today I made calls. I wanted to confirm that the survey forms we sent reached their destinations. It could be fun. It could be informative. Some secretaries are very accommodating. There are those who offer to convey your message. Very helpful indeed. But there are those who think they are the police. And not even polite when they go about it. For example :

Me: Good afternoon. May I please speak to the secretary of Mr. So and so?
Woman: Sino to? (Who is this?)
Me: This is ___ from the ____. I would like to confirm that Mr. So and so received our fax message ….
Woman: Tungkol san? (what about?)
Me: It is about the directory of …. Are you the secretary of Mr. So and so.
Woman : Hinde. (Shouting to someone) Mharz, yung survey form daw.. blah blah blah…

Your patience would really be tested when they ask you to call in the afternoon, the next day, the following day, the succeeding day and still don’t get an answer! What’s more irksome? There are those who won’t even give the name of their bosses! But how would they obtain new business if people don’t know who to contact?

I do feel that I have a good sense of what is right and what is wrong. And I am staunch defender of what is right. But like another friend mentioned, we must be merciful. I agree. But it is just one of those days… make that two.

Sine cera

What a deep! hehehe...

Greek words that mean : to be judged in the sunlight, to know that it is without wax, that all is true.

I learned these words tonight. Sounds serious? It is. It is about having integrity. And maintaining it from the inside out.

It was a reminder. In all that we do, we must show that we walk our talk.

Lion Chaser Manifesto

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.

Chase the lion.

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson (www.evotional.com)