Life is full of mistakes. Mistake in making a decision, mistake in doing things that you thought was right, mistake in hurting someone, mistake in choosing friends, and mistake in saying things that you will regret in the end.
I have made many mistakes in my life, and they are obvious to others, especially my friends. I agree with scripture that it is easier for us to see the specks in others' eyes than to see the log in our own eye.
My own devotional time gives me the opportunity to look at myself honestly. In these moments of silent reflection, I look back not only at my experiences but also at my responses. I reevaluate my choices and judgments. The presence of the Lord in my life not only helps me discover my errors but also brings me peace. I work out ways to make amends; hurt feelings are healed, and I experience greater growth in life.
However, there are some people not willing and open to make amends. They rather choose to stay away from you and simply ignore your effort when you make peace with them.
But God is not like that. When we come to Him with a personal mistake or sin. God does not throw us away because of a mistake. Instead, God works around our mistake and weaves it into the beautiful, colored tapestry of life.
We don't have to give up when we feel that we have failed God. When we come to God, admit our failing, and resolve to do better, God is ready to forgive.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
"The Missing Piece"
One day while I was cleaning my room, I discovered one small piece of a cut-out picture of someone. I analyzed it for a few minutes, trying to imagine where did I get it and what the complete picture would look like. Then I realized it was impossible for me to understand the big picture by looking at only one piece.
(I wonder how is she right now!)
Sometimes events happen in our lives, and we can't understand why. We keep on asking why He let things happens. What’s the reason? We look at the situation like a piece to a puzzle and say, "This doesn't make sense, God. Why is this happening to me?"
Just like in Habakkuk 1:5, I had a hard time seeing the completed picture too, but God answered me by saying, "I am doing something in your days you would not believe if you were told." We show what we believe by trusting God when hard times come our way.
I am glad I did!
The LORD Almighty is always doing something in our lives. God sees the completed picture and knows how all the pieces fit together to bring us closer to Him.
Life as we know it!
Sometimes events happen in our lives, and we can't understand why. We keep on asking why He let things happens. What’s the reason? We look at the situation like a piece to a puzzle and say, "This doesn't make sense, God. Why is this happening to me?"
Just like in Habakkuk 1:5, I had a hard time seeing the completed picture too, but God answered me by saying, "I am doing something in your days you would not believe if you were told." We show what we believe by trusting God when hard times come our way.
I am glad I did!
The LORD Almighty is always doing something in our lives. God sees the completed picture and knows how all the pieces fit together to bring us closer to Him.
Life as we know it!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Indeed, God Provides!
IT’s my 12th day of being unemployed. I remember it was cold, crisp, morning in my work place. I was sleepy and about to go home from my work. I had told a few friends that I was planning to resign on the second week of June. After a couple of weeks of discernment and seeking God’s guidance, I had finally made my decision to resign from work and start a new life. My heart was heavy with anxious thoughts not because of how I was going to manage with limited income after resigning, but because of the decision I made. What if this is a wrong move? What if this will not going to help me? Some questions, huh!
At home, with a cup of coffee in my hand, I looked out of our window. The early morning sunlight glittered as it bounced off the broken stained glass in our backyard.
I was momentarily lost in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I noticed a lone bird sitting near the fence. Facing the sun, the bird flew down, lowered its beak and picked up something scattered on the ground. It began to nibble peacefully on what had been provided for its need.
Suddenly, it struck me that my needs will be provided for if I trust God and leave my worries with Him. Just then, my heart was filled with hope and gratitude as I go back to my room.
Life as we know it!
At home, with a cup of coffee in my hand, I looked out of our window. The early morning sunlight glittered as it bounced off the broken stained glass in our backyard.
I was momentarily lost in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I noticed a lone bird sitting near the fence. Facing the sun, the bird flew down, lowered its beak and picked up something scattered on the ground. It began to nibble peacefully on what had been provided for its need.
Suddenly, it struck me that my needs will be provided for if I trust God and leave my worries with Him. Just then, my heart was filled with hope and gratitude as I go back to my room.
Life as we know it!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
TAGUBILIN AT HABILIN
DIG THIS: A very striking poem I found on Bianca Gonzales' blog (Thanks!). You might find it funny but somehow very true.
TAGUBILIN AT HABILIN
Ni Jose F. Lacaba
Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kong
Tagubilin at habilin:Mabuhay ka!
Sa edad kong ito, marami akong maibibigay na payo.
Mayaman ako sa payo.
Maghugas ka ng kamay bago kumain.
Maghugas ka ng kamay pagkatapos kumain.
Pero huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay para lang makaiwas sa sisi.
Huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay kung may inaapi
Na kaya mong tulungan.
Paupuin sa bus ang matatanda at ang mga may kalong na sanggol.
Magpasalamat sa nagmamagandang-loob.
Matuto sa karanasan ng matatanda
Pero huwag magpatali sa kaisipang makaluma.
Huwag piliting matulog kung ayaw kang dalawin ng antok.
Huwag pag-aksayahan ng panahon ang walang utang na loob.
Huwag makipagtalo sa bobo at baka ka mapagkamalang bobo.
Huwag bubulong-bulong sa mga panahong kailangang sumigaw.
Huwag kang manalig sa bulung-bulungan.
Huwag kang papatay-patay sa ilalim ng pabitin.
Huwag kang tutulog-tulog sa pansitan.
Umawit ka kung nag-iisa sa banyo.
Umawit ka sa piling ng barkada.
Umawit ka kung nalulungkot.
Umawit ka kung masaya.
Ingat lang.
Huwag kang aawit ng “My Way” sa videoke bar at baka ka mabaril.
Huwag kang magsindi ng sigarilyo sa gasolinahan.
Dahan-dahan sa matatarik na landas.
Dahan-dahan sa malulubak na daan.
Higit sa lahat, inuulit ko:
Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kong
Tagubilin at habilin:
Mabuhay ka!
Maraming bagay sa mundo na nakakadismaya.
Mabuhay ka.
Maraming problema ang mundo na wala na yatang lunas.
Mabuhay ka.
Sa hirap ng panahon, sa harap ng kabiguan,
Kung minsan ay gusto mo nang mamatay.
Gusto mong maglaslas ng pulso kung sawi sa pag-ibig.
Gusto mong uminom ng lason kung wala nang makain.
Gusto mong magbigti kung napakabigat ng mga pasanin.
Gusto mong pasabugin ang bungo mo kung maraming gumugulo sa utak.
Huwag kang patatalo. Huwag kang susuko.
Narinig mo ang sinasabi ng awitin:“Gising at magbangon sa pagkagupiling,
Sa pagkakatulog na lubhang mahimbing.”
Gumising ka kung hinaharana ka ng pag-ibig.
Bumangon ka kung nananawagan ang kapuspalad.
Ang sabi ng iba: “Ang matapang ay walang-takot lumaban.”
Ang sabi ko naman:
Ang tunay na matapang ay lumalaban
Kahit natatakot.
Lumaban ka kung inginungodngod ang nguso mo sa putik.
Bumalikwas ka kung tinatapak-tapakan ka.
Buong-tapang mong ipaglaban ang iyong mga prinsipyo
Kahit hindi ka sigurado na agad-agad kang mananalo.
Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kong
Tagubilin at habilin:
Mabuhay ka!
TAGUBILIN AT HABILIN
Ni Jose F. Lacaba
Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kong
Tagubilin at habilin:Mabuhay ka!
Sa edad kong ito, marami akong maibibigay na payo.
Mayaman ako sa payo.
Maghugas ka ng kamay bago kumain.
Maghugas ka ng kamay pagkatapos kumain.
Pero huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay para lang makaiwas sa sisi.
Huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay kung may inaapi
Na kaya mong tulungan.
Paupuin sa bus ang matatanda at ang mga may kalong na sanggol.
Magpasalamat sa nagmamagandang-loob.
Matuto sa karanasan ng matatanda
Pero huwag magpatali sa kaisipang makaluma.
Huwag piliting matulog kung ayaw kang dalawin ng antok.
Huwag pag-aksayahan ng panahon ang walang utang na loob.
Huwag makipagtalo sa bobo at baka ka mapagkamalang bobo.
Huwag bubulong-bulong sa mga panahong kailangang sumigaw.
Huwag kang manalig sa bulung-bulungan.
Huwag kang papatay-patay sa ilalim ng pabitin.
Huwag kang tutulog-tulog sa pansitan.
Umawit ka kung nag-iisa sa banyo.
Umawit ka sa piling ng barkada.
Umawit ka kung nalulungkot.
Umawit ka kung masaya.
Ingat lang.
Huwag kang aawit ng “My Way” sa videoke bar at baka ka mabaril.
Huwag kang magsindi ng sigarilyo sa gasolinahan.
Dahan-dahan sa matatarik na landas.
Dahan-dahan sa malulubak na daan.
Higit sa lahat, inuulit ko:
Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kong
Tagubilin at habilin:
Mabuhay ka!
Maraming bagay sa mundo na nakakadismaya.
Mabuhay ka.
Maraming problema ang mundo na wala na yatang lunas.
Mabuhay ka.
Sa hirap ng panahon, sa harap ng kabiguan,
Kung minsan ay gusto mo nang mamatay.
Gusto mong maglaslas ng pulso kung sawi sa pag-ibig.
Gusto mong uminom ng lason kung wala nang makain.
Gusto mong magbigti kung napakabigat ng mga pasanin.
Gusto mong pasabugin ang bungo mo kung maraming gumugulo sa utak.
Huwag kang patatalo. Huwag kang susuko.
Narinig mo ang sinasabi ng awitin:“Gising at magbangon sa pagkagupiling,
Sa pagkakatulog na lubhang mahimbing.”
Gumising ka kung hinaharana ka ng pag-ibig.
Bumangon ka kung nananawagan ang kapuspalad.
Ang sabi ng iba: “Ang matapang ay walang-takot lumaban.”
Ang sabi ko naman:
Ang tunay na matapang ay lumalaban
Kahit natatakot.
Lumaban ka kung inginungodngod ang nguso mo sa putik.
Bumalikwas ka kung tinatapak-tapakan ka.
Buong-tapang mong ipaglaban ang iyong mga prinsipyo
Kahit hindi ka sigurado na agad-agad kang mananalo.
Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!
Mabuhay ka!
Iyan ang una't huli kong
Tagubilin at habilin:
Mabuhay ka!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
"LOvE chANgEs Us"
(2006)
I could not sleep last night and decided to watch a movie. I was looking for a good action movie but I could not find one. However, I ended up choosing "A Walk To Remember" movie. Yes! You heard it right. I watch Love Stories, too. :-P
Well, the story is about two different people brought together by fate and were put to test the power of faith and love to transform a life into something worth living. So tragic yet spiritual love story. What struck me most on this movie is about the "kindness, charity, forgiveness, redemption, strong faith, and love" of every characters showed.
LOVE changes us. We can spot those who have begun a new romance by their smiles, their increased energy, the way they dress, and the way they talk constantly about the new love in their lives.
On the spiritual level, Paul realized the power of loving and being loved. As I read the passage on Ephesians 3:18-19, he knew that the secret of effective evangelism for the Christians was that they continually experience how much they were loved by God. The same is true for us today. If we understand the length, height, width, and depth of God's love for us, there is nothing we cannot do.
And for us, we show our love for others in different ways, some small and some more significant. But God didn't show us love by giving us a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates. God showed us love by giving us His son Jesus Christ to die on a cross. That's how much God loves us. When our roots sink into this love, we are strengthened and God's love shows in our actions. We are changed.
Paul wrote, "I pray that you may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
~Ephesians 3:18-19
I could not sleep last night and decided to watch a movie. I was looking for a good action movie but I could not find one. However, I ended up choosing "A Walk To Remember" movie. Yes! You heard it right. I watch Love Stories, too. :-P
Well, the story is about two different people brought together by fate and were put to test the power of faith and love to transform a life into something worth living. So tragic yet spiritual love story. What struck me most on this movie is about the "kindness, charity, forgiveness, redemption, strong faith, and love" of every characters showed.
LOVE changes us. We can spot those who have begun a new romance by their smiles, their increased energy, the way they dress, and the way they talk constantly about the new love in their lives.
On the spiritual level, Paul realized the power of loving and being loved. As I read the passage on Ephesians 3:18-19, he knew that the secret of effective evangelism for the Christians was that they continually experience how much they were loved by God. The same is true for us today. If we understand the length, height, width, and depth of God's love for us, there is nothing we cannot do.
And for us, we show our love for others in different ways, some small and some more significant. But God didn't show us love by giving us a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates. God showed us love by giving us His son Jesus Christ to die on a cross. That's how much God loves us. When our roots sink into this love, we are strengthened and God's love shows in our actions. We are changed.
Paul wrote, "I pray that you may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
~Ephesians 3:18-19
Monday, April 14, 2008
"i'LL bE tHeRE!"
(2006)
"Okay, bro. I'll be there". Some Kapatids responded as I invite them to watch a movie today.
I believe most people feel that the most beautiful words ever spoken are "I love you."
But a close second are the words "I'll be there." In everyday situations, I am sure that you want to hear them from a friend when you think the world is turning against you or from your love ones when you feel like celebrating. But even more, I know we want to hear them from God. We want to hear them when illness strikes us, when a someone turns on us, when a friend betrays our trust. Or perhaps, when a relationship sours. The list could go on almost endlessly. Every day, we could face situations where we can't bear to be alone.
And we won't be. No matter what, God says, "I'll be there." As He promised...He will be the same as yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The fires may be hot, the waters may be deep, the shadows may loom large.
Sometimes God carries us and gives us rest. But God comes to us and walks with us most of the time, we just need to feel Him.
We do not have to go it alone. God will be there. :)
Thus says the Lord,.."When you pass through the waters, I will be with you!"
~Isaiah 43:2
"Okay, bro. I'll be there". Some Kapatids responded as I invite them to watch a movie today.
I believe most people feel that the most beautiful words ever spoken are "I love you."
But a close second are the words "I'll be there." In everyday situations, I am sure that you want to hear them from a friend when you think the world is turning against you or from your love ones when you feel like celebrating. But even more, I know we want to hear them from God. We want to hear them when illness strikes us, when a someone turns on us, when a friend betrays our trust. Or perhaps, when a relationship sours. The list could go on almost endlessly. Every day, we could face situations where we can't bear to be alone.
And we won't be. No matter what, God says, "I'll be there." As He promised...He will be the same as yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The fires may be hot, the waters may be deep, the shadows may loom large.
Sometimes God carries us and gives us rest. But God comes to us and walks with us most of the time, we just need to feel Him.
We do not have to go it alone. God will be there. :)
Thus says the Lord,.."When you pass through the waters, I will be with you!"
~Isaiah 43:2
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