Hands to Heaven

In the hush of dream’s embrace, I saw him again. still and distant, I followed his gaze, and there I was on stage, Singing, glowing, dressed just like him, as if once- we were one. He didn’t look at me. He looked at her - the me on stage, the one with a cap pulled low, like a crown of becoming. And I, the third me, watched them both from somewhere in-between memory and meaning. We wore the same skin, the same simple clothes. But only I wore the song. Was he proud? Was he sorry? Was I? I felt it - this ache without anger, a warmth that wasn’t quite love, but something soft and almost sacred. Three selves in one dream: the girl who loved, the girl who rose, and the girl who watches it all unfold, quietly learn how to let go.

  photo c/o Victory Caloocan In these swiftly passing days, this beloved verse left a trace.  "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth  of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:8 It doesn't entail forgetting of good things arrived,  but an art of picking what is better than life.  For nothing else mattered in comparison to Christ.  If losing someone is a way  of making room for the new,  I reckon death is a hope  for a soul that is true If grieving caused me to cry my heart out and utter no words but Christ,  then I consider grief is better  than a beautiful sunrise If feeling lost or rejected may brought us to God's embrace,  truly sitting alone in His presence is the same  as a sweet look on His face If ungentle mourning  can be a form of praise,  then lemme wail at your feet  just to master your Grace!  If my heart had to go through war  when I deny myself,...

Perhaps you're wanting to start a new ministry, perhaps you're wanting to apply to another job or perhaps you wanted to get serious with someone you really like. Whatever it may be, there are seasons that God may tell us we are not ready but then later on, He will let us know when we are ready. These are my common realizations in the waiting as I traced God's way of telling me or encouraging me to do something new or start stepping into the unfamiliar place. If you're one of my closest, you know that I'm the type of person who won't do something if I know I'm not ready, or I didn't prepare myself for it. That's why I think carefully before writing this piece, because we have different personalities, levels of spiritual discernment, and of course God can speak to us in various ways. These realizations I share are based on my own experience, discernment, and meditation of The Word in connection of some events in the past where I strongly sensed God tel...

Sea of Galilee O pinions on fake news is getting worse, misinformation in social media rapidly circulates.  People are excessively concern of themselves and malicious comments are trending online. I've sensed so much hate, I've heard a lot of demands. This brought me to pause and dropped my phone and shut it off. I'm done praying when I grabbed my Bible to read.  The Holy Spirit took me to 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 and it recites the verses of love. I can always read this passage again and again because the word love is so rich and true. Words can't express enough, totally powerful, ineffable. He illuminates verse 7, "Love never gives up, and its faith, hope and patience never fail." Love perfectly describes as eternal. Spurgeon once preached, "God is a sun that never sets." Indeed, the picture of the Cross is the best demonstration of love and truth, because it is love, not nails, what held Jesus on that cross and His love surpassed death because it doe...

My Encounter with Jehovah Rapha in Israel Even now, as I sit and reflect on everything that happened during my time in Israel, one truth remains clear and deeply amplified in my heart: He is seated powerfully on His throne, and nothing, absolutely nothing catches Him by surprise. With the loving gaze of the Lord, I came to Israel ready  physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  In the months leading up to the trip, I committed to setting aside days of prayer and fasting . Along with that, I also formed a prayer circle of women close to my heart-  sisters in the faith whom I trusted. I kept them updated and asked them to be my prayer shield while I was on the mission field. Their intercession covered me in ways I would only fully realize once I was there, facing unexpected challenges and breakthroughs.  I packed comfortable clothes, took vitamins, got my flu booster shots. I thought I had prepared myself well for the rigors of ministry, travel, and long d...

  While zipping up my luggage in the morning of Saturday (Oct 7), prepping for my evening flight back to Manila, we're all waiting for breakfast, and before we jump in the bus for that  one last BBQ fellowship with all the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) Feast volunteers, a sudden sound of wailing sirens and bombing from afar stopped us, then a loud cry requesting us to run to the nearest bomb shelter! All of us in the hotel felt perplexed and surprised thinking what’s really happening!  But what surely amazes me was despite of that announcement, I NEVER felt fear, what was on my mind was the safety of everybody, I powerfully sensed the comfort of the Holy Spirit as He gave me presence of mind and the will to worship with those who are with me no matter what's going on.  As everyone inside the bomb shelter started praying & singing, we could somehow hear the raging helicopters and rockets flying above us, then we learned that Israel was caught co...

I don't know but I feel giddy writing '22 above my journal. Well, Happy New Year! I'm claiming a very God-filled & hopeful 2022 for me and to all the people I love! I am a person who loves planning especially if it is for the family. I had spent months searching for the perfect, budget-friendly hotel to celebrate New Year together with Mom and sister, feast in a sumptuous eat-all-you can buffet while waiting for the New Year's countdown,  all wrapped in the warmth of holiday music and the comfort of each other’s company . Few minutes before midnight, we run outside, and shout into the night  joining the symphony of fireworks that would mark the beginning of the new year ! Each moment sweetly rehearsed in my heart, even now as I savor these first few hours of year 2022.  The Lord intervenes as I wake up in a sudden train of thoughts, "welcoming New Year doesn't have to be loud, flashy, and have all-figured out like where you'll get a good lighting for ph...

( Note Before You Read.  This reflection was born out of a quiet, painful season in my past where God asks me to let go a person, I never thought I’d release.  Here's my reflection, written as if God is speaking to me  in a gentle, heartfelt, and deeply personal tone. For those who are in the season of letting go, I hope you find something here that encourages you .) Long time ago, the revelation and Word I gave you about your situation with that person now echoes your heart that you and I can fully understood. At that moment, I led you to John 11, and while you read, I gently drew your attention to verse 44:  “Untie him and let him go.”  I kept emphasizing that verse for a reason because it was your season of release- a time of surrender, even if you felt it didn’t make complete sense. But in truth, the purpose of it all was always in  verse   4 : “ This sickness will not end in death; no, it is for the glory of God..”  dropping four and mad...

Trying to take my mind off any racing thoughts. But it doesn't work, still wide awake. I realized it's already midnight, so I tend to pray again a little, return to bed. Staring at the dark ceiling, toss and turn, then noticed it's been already an hour since I last checked the time.       Thinking of something deep, seeking God for clear answers about matters of heart.  Asking him like, "really Lord, you said yes, and this is for real?.... But why it seemed I don't see any signs?", "Did I heard you right ?"  or "Am I only getting impatient?" Then it is even getting harder to catch a sleep.  There are times that I sincerely prayed for something, committing all my strength to wait on it, believing  that I heard the Lord clearly with the confirmation of the Scripture. But there were days that doubts start rising, and not always in the mood to praise. Times when all of the sudden, I simply want to stop and tell God, " Did you...

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over." Psalm 23:5  NKJV Psalm 23 is a comforting psalm which is the reason many Christians cherish it. As we go through each verses, we’ve seen how the Lord is our Good Shepherd, our Protector, our Peace, our daily Provider, and Rest, and our Guide through every circumstance. We reminded of God’s faithfulness, that He leads us through dark valleys while watching over us with His rod and staff. All of that is amazing enough to prompt us to praise Him, but we may wonder what happens after we pass through the valley? What does the Lord do then? I remember visiting my Aunt Carol’s house it was during Christmas that every member of my family come altogether to feast and celebrate. She and my Dad were the main crew in the kitchen. They always think of the best menu and cook with complete ingredients, lavished with love and serve in appetizing look. My other cousins ...

Everyone commit mistakes. Nobody is perfect. Everyone has their own weaknesses. No one is strong all the time. Everybody can be tired, worried & frustrated. Yet it is not for us to stop, because the process is not yet over. Perhaps the block that makes us stumble is the key to wake us up from a long time sleep. I am weak, I do admit. I am not perfect but striving the way to it. At times, I’m shaken with fear but I try my best to shake it off my head. Life is full of surprises. Time is unpredictable. People change no matter what. Opportunities may come and go. No one can ever help you best unless you stand on your feet and take the first brave step. After all, the most faithful that ever left is the One with outstretched arms. He alone is great. He alone is strong. He never commits mistake. Never abandon the call. He alone is gracious; no one can question His love. He can make all things new, even a stone steeled heart can be renewed. He is good. His promise never fail. No on...

The tension at hand is this: " Do our faith, traditions, and creeds serve to interpret our experience of this pandemic? Or does our experience challenge, redefine, and refine our creeds, traditions, and songs of faith?" The historic confession of the Church begins with the bold declaration, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.” This powerful declaration presupposes that God can control everything. Nothing in this world happens beyond the reach of His sovereign hands. This creed, first formulated in the 4th century and still recited in liturgy and catechesis today, affirms God’s sovereign control nothing happens outside His divine will. It continues, “And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord… suffered… crucified… died.” This reminds us that He suffered and died for no other reason but love. Scripture, too, reveals an all-powerful God. The term “Almighty” appears over 300 times in the Bible. Passages such as Psalm 104:27–30 testif...

Look down the road. There are too many smart and gorgeous people who can catch one’s attention. But what if, out of seven billion people in the whole world today, you can now bravely say: ‘this one is for me’. Indeed, it is an ultimate point where reality is finally better than any wildest dream! Unfortunately, waiting is not a game as some people think. It is a serious pause. It is real. For it is incorporated by our precious time. It is embedded that before someone joyfully receives something he or she must wait patiently. The longer the time we endure, the more we value the day it arrives. We just must switch our mind from being rush and hurry to being still and silent so to consider that our time is in His hands. The joy of receiving depends on one’s patience. The amount of joy that will occur in our receiving can be measured by the height of trust we invest in our waiting. One very good professor and an author of the book “True Love Weds”, Prof. GraceGaston-Dousel ...