Hands to Heaven

  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,...

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...

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...

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...

The birth of Christianity was a resounding phenomenon because it totally impacts the ancient world. In connection, the gospel turned out to be more essential when it stimulates and motivates the thinking of the readers about the teachings and commands of Christ. The book of Matthew is universally acknowledged as the first book among the synoptic gospels. Probably, because Matthew’s gospel has brilliantly echoed what is acknowledged to be the heart of Christ; making disciples. In association, this passage (Matt 28:16-20) is purposed to proclaim the greatest command of Christ to the believers. The commands (word) of Christ were powerfully spoken to the disciples and to those who come with him in his journey as he walked in the flesh. Since it is known to be written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it is apparent to consider that what is spoken must have to be heard, and what is heard must have to be performed. In this sense, each word shall become alive and active. ...

Acts 8:26-40  credit to MJ young cartoons I love how Philip obeyed & hear the Holy Spirit. In verse 26 the instruction from the Holy Spirit is very precise and how I wish that whenever I hear from him, I will be able to catch every detailed instruction.  Philip saw the Ethiopian Official reading the scripture while on transit. Then Philip went close to him as he was told by the Spirit. He asked, “ do you understand what you are reading?” My realization here is that  sometimes when we read there are passages that is hard to understand. Hence, these are the moments we can ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom for us to understand. The official answered, “ How can I understand unless someone explains it to me?” So, Philip explained the passage in Isaiah and intentionally share the Word. Then when he saw body of water down the road the official asked Philip to baptize him. And after he got up from the water, the spirit of the Lord took away Philip. The o...

Good Listening fulfills three of the most deeply felt human needs, needs that cannot be fulfilled in any other way (Sullivan, 2000). Our need to ventilate out feelings; to find a healthy outlet for them. Our need for emotional intimacy And, most important of all, our overwhelming need to have our self-esteem validated and affirmed. (The Good Listener, Sullivan 2000) The ways that we Listen Poorly   - 1.       Refusing to Listen – I may not mean to blame you, but that’s exactly what my lack of interest back to you. Ex. “I’m sick of your complaints!” Or, “Not now; I don’t have time.” 2.       Pretending to Listen -This also happens a lot. One can pretend to listen to you, when he/she is not really listening at all. This approach certainly elicits shame to the other person. *There’s no wrong in asking questions. 3.     Listening without Patience - Without exercising the n...