Still Weaving

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So I'm home alone on a Sunday morning as I arrived home late last night already. I was having breakfast and thinking life ahead of me. Alam mo yung normal na napapaisip ka if am I on the right track, given that currently I enrolled myself in fashion school, started a tiny business, will transfer to a new company... I started thinking if I am in the right spot on this second of this date. And as I was already doing my devotional, I feel like God answered me through it. 

My life was in a bumpy ride but I couldn't be thankful enough to Him for where I am now is a lot better where I was. But STILL, I can’t help but be anxious of what might happen ahead of me. I may not be in a very tough time right now, I've been through tough times (thank God!), but I know God may allow these kinds of times again to happen.

As what this devotional is trying to relay, I must stop looking merely at the back side of my life’s tapestry. Ang daming buhol, ang daming gupit-gupit, there are threads I can’t even connect. And I must stop disappointing myself by expecting things would turn out the way I want it too. For the past few years, I found it hard entrusting it all to Him. Umiral ang pagkamatigas ng ulo ko that I wanted it my way. But amazingly, events turned out to be actually better than what I planned, one after the other, because I kept on praying and I entrusted it all to Him. Only God knows. What I feel right now? I am so eager of what masterpiece God created my life to be, He has a purpose, hence, I will continue to entrust my life to Him, well, He lent it to me anyway. 

“Called With A Purpose” 

"We know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28

Paul’s assurance in his letter to the Romans is one of the most quoted and least understood passage in the New Testament. When some people hear the verse, they flare in ager because they think Paul is saying that the traumatic event they’ve just experienced is good. But that’s not at all what he’s saying. 

Paul is inviting us to remember – in every situation, even the most painful ones – the final result of our lives’ tapestry. We should remember that the God of love, wisdom, and strength has the ability to weave the dark threads or our lives in with the light-colored ones to produce something beautiful. In our pain all we can see is the back of the fabric, but we can be assured that God will produce something fine out of it. 

Although God promises to work things for our good the promise of the verse isn’t that things will work out the way we want them to. God is the weaver and events are the threads. Our lives are just the loom on which He works to create His masterpiece. In many cases, we find that God’s design is quite different from what we hoped, dreamed, or even contemplated. We can either follow the design He has planned, or we can continue to demand our own way. One leads to life and peace; the other, to anger and despair, choose wisely, with faith in God and His design. 

Mankind is all too often inclined to take credit for his accomplishments, but when things go wrong, he blames God. -Zig Ziglar

Source: The One Year Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar and Dr. Ike Reighard

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248. Dumb Sheep

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Ever wondered why we are likened to a sheep in the Bible? If one is to think very negatively, it’s actually “insulting”. But Biblically, it overlaid that fact and signified overflowing compassion and love abundance.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. ² But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

³ Then Jesus told them this parable: ⁴ “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵ And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

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239. Persistence in Prayer

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Sometimes, we are so persistent in “pestering” our parents, boyfriends, siblings, clients, or whoever in getting what we want. Or maybe we, ourselves, are so determined in getting what we want for ourselves i.e. saving too much to the point of starvation just to buy that pair of shoes or that signature bag. For guys, maybe they tend to be “pushy” in courting a girl they really like. How about in prayer? How about in asking God for the things we want, or rather, for the things He wants and long-planned for us? How persistent are we?

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220. Karma or whatever it's called

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I believe the notion of “karma” (Romans 12:19). This world makes it tough to be nice, to be thankful and be satisfied (oh this age of consumerism!), to have a good attitude, to always have good motives, to love and most of all to forgive. It’s hard but it’s definitely rewarding.

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211. It's Not Over (When God is In It)!!!

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This song gives me the desire to share it right away! It hasn't failed to cheer me up and smile on my own and think to myself and say a little prayer and thank God and praise Him on how amazing and wonderful He is conveying His love and message of hope and of faith in Him, His mightiness -- in songs such as this. Maybe we’re in a difficult situation, on the verge of quitting, going through hard times, on a spot when we question everything that’s happening in our lives – God says it’s not over. God is still working on it, we’re all still a work in progress including what situation we may be in right now. It’s not over, we’re closer than where we were before. God is in it and there are limitless possibilities – far beyond we can imagine! The song may not be that modern and as attractive as the contemporary songs but I hope that you’d set aside some of your precious time and listen to this wonderful song, read through the lyrics and believe, not in what you think the events will turn out to be, not in your circumstances, but what He can do, on who God really is. It’s not over. It’s such a a beautiful song! God bless!

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205. Finding balance between contenment and ambition

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I just want to share one aid in my devotion from Joyce Meyer pertaining to dreams and visions. I have read this a year (or two) ago and came across it once again today. I pray that whatever dreams or visions you may have, whether simple, short-term, long-shot, or almost-impossible, and if you’re on the verge of quitting, if that dream is placed by God in your heart, may you not give up on them. It’s one thing that no one can take away from you. It's one thing God would want you to accomplish. I pray that these words through its writer may help you as well. :)

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182. Monday Musings: The one that scares you the most...

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http://memoriessewprecious.wordpress.com/2012/01/

When you have two good options, always go with the one that scares you the most, because that’s the one that’s going to help you grow.

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175. Monday Musings: “Just because you don’t understand something now doesn’t mean the explanation doesn’t exist”

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“Just because you don’t understand something now doesn’t mean the explanation doesn’t exist.”

And here comes another post on the quarter-life-crisis series. Lol. I’m kidding. But maybe it’s half-meant. Haha! When I think about the future, to be honest, it scares me. I have seen a lot of lives in front of me of which some I have even seen unfold. Not all of them are amazing. Some were fabulous. Some are so-so. And some sadly didn't turn out fine. It created fears inside me. At the back of my mind, I told myself, I don’t want to end up like that. Not good. And do you ever have the feeling that you feel like what you’re doing right now that you believe to be rightful at the moment feels like would not help you on your dream future? (Gulo ba basta yun…) Or help create your dreams into reality? And you just can’t get an explanation out of it? Nag-aral naman ako nang mabuti... Nakapagtapos naman ako... I have a diploma...  Bakit si ganyan hindi naman ganito... Siya nga mas tamad pa sa kin blablabla... Aminin, the list of questions doesn’t end there. It feels like it’s happening, it’s just going down the gutter for you-feel-like no apparent reason at all! I’m just human gifted with overflowing sensitivity and emotional factors haha and I feel such sometimes.

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167. Walkway 2013

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On Holy Weeks most especially on the Thursday and Friday of it, years back, if we are not elsewhere taking vacation away from the city, my parents would always take me with them to church hearing the teachings on the Seven Last Words of Jesus. But ever since I got into the corporate world, snatching away most of the Philippine holidays away from me (lol), I have not attended such again. One thing that I like about attending this kind of service is being able to reflect on the very essence of why there is a holy week. It's not just about having vacation. It's also about reflecting on the ultimate sacrifice Jesus did around 2000 years ago. All because of the Father's GREAT GREAT UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. But let me also say that holy week is not just the only time to reflect, there are 51 other weeks and 358 other days to do it.

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160. They are new every morning...

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Sing with me!

They are new every morning.

Great is thy faithfulness...

Isn't it wonderful that there is a loving, merciful and gracious God?

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151. Monday Musings: From Now On

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The truth is, the greater part of your happiness or misery depends solely upon your attitude towards any given moment, regardless of the events contained within. You need much less than you think you need to be happy, and you usually have a lot more than you think you have. There’s always something worth smiling about. It’s just a matter of thinking differently. (Marc and Angel)

 

It's hard isn't it, being always happy, trying to embrace positivity because we are mere humans and our emotions most of the time are the reasons of our downfall. It may be hard to be thankful having a two-peso donut bought from some lowly bakery when you see someone deliciously munching on a donut from J Co.

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142. Braced Up For 2013! Thank you so much 2012!!

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Feeling active blogger that I am here writing on New Year's eve. It's been a while I know but let me set that aside as we all saw how the Mayan calendar failed and now we're about to welcome 2013!

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124. What Sundays May Bring

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I just love those days when I can pamper myself even in the tiniest possible way. For the past week, I have been bothered by the mishaps at work, specifically on my training. My training for a process, is currently delayed and I blame the uninvited bugs who came to party on our software we were supposed to use. Just so they know, they caused delay and my schedule is now screwed. On  other note, I have accomplished tasks more more mooore than the load I should have done. I am raising my forehead on this. I think I did a good job. Kudos to me! Due to the semi-stress and for the job well-done, I'm patting myself on the back through a well-deserved pamper -- sauna and massage. Teehee.

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reminder

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I should always be reminded. I should. I should.
For whom or for what have I been doing things lately?

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Forever Hangover

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Ok, this post is yet another fruit of the Passion Manila aftermath! I know I know! You maybe wondering what on earth is this blogger again gonna blog about –Passion Manila – whuuut?!?! Then you would stop reading... HA.HA.HA!

Just think of it this way – you just arrived home from a wonderful event or let’s say concert (and now let me use the very recent A.Keys concert, that I wasn’t able to go to...) and you wanna tell everyone how nice, how great, how cool, how fantastic Alicia Keys was on the concert. On how you shouted your lungs out and joined with the crowd and blah and blah and blah. Or maybe you just can’t contain how the event was soooooo uber successful that EVERYONE totally EVERYONE enjoyed it.

But, but, BUT!!! The event I'm referring to wasn’t even a concert. It’s not any near than a ‘sit-in’ concert! It’s not an event where the audience are mere watchers. It’s not a SIMPLE event. It’s a GRACIOUS event.

It’s an event that’s all for HIM. It’s where the audience participate – united and with ONE HEART. An event where the audience didn’t just scream their heart out but their souls; where the audience danced and jumped; and where the audience humbly lifted up their hands. It’s where the main attraction is someone who is RENOWNED universally!!! It’s actually INDESCRIBABLE. AWESOME. AMAZING. WOW. WOW. WOW.

So i’ll stop before this would end up yet another looooong entry. And so I just want to reiterate that i’ll be having this hangover ---- FOREVER!

From time to time I’m visiting the 268blog to refresh and to remind me of that night and how 7000++ youth responded YES LORD (no ifs, no buts, no excuses) and how I wish we knew each other and would constantly be a reminder to each and every one. If only each one of the 7000++ would be able to bring even just A SOUL, how lovely that would be. I’m keeping this in my prayers... I’m praying that our flames would keep burning and keep longing for more of HIM. I wanna be insane for Him. And FOR HIS RENOWN, I would be a fruitcake together with the others like those from KL and Jakarta (oh yes, try to visit 268blog about Passion KL &Jakarta and see for yourself how the youths of a Muslim-dominant-nation were moved by God, 500++ & 800++ comments and counting!)

Just wanna share some photos (credits to Jez, Tine and BeccaMusic):

and can you still remember this wristband/wrist-strap/Passion strap worn last Aug.1??
[EDIT](Jez! I just noticed that the watermarks of your photos here were overlapped by the frames, my bad, really am sorry... Credits to Jezreel Faith Manugue)[/EDIT]

Guess what?? I'm still wearing it up until this moment I'm typing!!! Now praying for Johannesburg, SA!

taken: August 5, 2008

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Last night, because my night class was cancelled, I got the chance to attend our church’s midweek service. And oh WOW! I loved the way I’m longing to worship HIM. Also, the last night’s sermon was about why do men experience trials? As much as I want to share it ALL outta here, I think I won’t since it’s kinda long and has many points. Allow me to share with you this verse:

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

- 1 Peter 4:12-14

All over again, it made me realize, cliché it may seem -- TRIALS MAKE US STRONG. We are experiencing trials because He wants to mold us into a far better person. Plus, no matter how many trials one encounters, let us not forget that He is always with us, He is our helper, and He will never leave us.

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."
So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"
-Hebrews 13:5-6

So whenever you experience trials, think of how a sword is made, how pencils are sharpened, how pots are molded, and how Jesus suffered before He resurrected and was glorified.


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Random Whateverisms

Also, also of course! I already have the Breaking Dawn aka BD. Got it last Monday, the release date of course, and was surprised that it came with a free Powerbooks notebook. Cooool... haha!! But still, I’m stuck at chapter 3, boo yeah?!

Tomorrow would be 08.08.08 (August 8, 2008) :

• A once in a lifetime date

• My precious Chrys Ann Grace’s debut

• Opening of the Olympics – Go Team Philippines!!!

Oh, oh and OH!!!

We’re (me and thesismates) already done writing our thesis. Praise God, yeah?! All we have to do is pray and prepare for our thesis defense on Aug 16.

I’m so happy to meet a wonderful fruitcake slash servant of God slash online buddy like you
(yes, you, you whom I hate for having that L-sized Passion World tour shirt;who travelled 5-hours just to get to PhilSports arena and; who won the Candy teenblog awards... haha!)

oh no, not a long post again...

You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same...
You are amazing God...

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