Christmas party preparations

Preparations were up early on the week of the Christmas. We were getting prepped up for at least 2,000 children, the most number we'll ever since we started. Last year, we had about 1,800 children and turned down a few hundreds more. Here is a video that will show what kind of preparations do take place for our Christmas party. To see is to believe!

acceptance in a dance

In So You Think You Can Dance Canada, notable choreographer Mia Michaels created a dance for one of season three's opening number. She used the song "Will I" from the Broadway musical Rent. Songwriter Roger Davis performed this song expressing his fears of dying from AIDS.

What I love about this choreography is how it expressed discrimination in the midst of desiring acceptance. It reminds me so much of man's search for love where each one of us tries to be part of something when in the first place, God had been waiting all this time to embrace us for the person that we are.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 5:8

thought of you

Last May 10, Google Doodle featured an interesting dance animation in commemoration of Martha Graham's birthday. A choreographer, Graham was considered as the "Picasso of dance" and was noted for the language she has translated through dance.

The Google Doodle was created by Ryan Woodward, whose works include Iron Man 2, Spiderman 2 & 3, and Space Jam.

In his Conte Animated, a project that combines different forms of art, I fell in love with Thought of You. Actually, I became a sucker for The Weepies since I saw this video and been wanting to post it here but did not really took the time to do so. Anyway, here is the video:

Ang Guryon

I came in the church and found the teachers in search for a poem to present during the school's Linggo ng Wika. As I sat down on one of the chairs at the round table and was thinking of what poem to suggest, I was reminded of Pahina, an local educational show which discussed Filipino literary classics through the point of view of a teenager.

Probably the only episode I could remember was when Balt (Carlo Aquino) was running for vice president of the student council and was up against a classmate who whacked up gimmicks but had really no concrete platforms. As Balt was accepting his defeat, he was given a copy of the poem Ang Guryon.

Ang Guryon was written by Ildefenso Santos, a writer of the American colonial period. Santos saw the kite as an image of weakness against the strong breeze, stating that life may knock us down and hit us hard but this should not stop us from pursuing our dreams and seeing ourselves fly.

"Ang Guryon"

ni Ildefonso Santos

Tanggapin mo, anak, itong munting guryon

na yari sa patpat at papel de Hapon;

magandang laruang pula, puti, asul,

na may pangalan mong sa gitna naroon.

Ang hiling ko lamang, bago paliparin

ang guryon mong ito ay pakatimbangin;

ang solo't paulo'y sukating magaling

nang hindi mag-ikit o kaya'y magkiling.

Saka pag sumimoy ang hangin , ilabas

at sa papawiri'y bayaang lumipad;

datapwa't ang pisi'y tibayan mo, anak,

at baka lagutin ng hanging malakas.

Ibigin mo't hindi, balang araw ikaw

ay mapapabuyong makipagdagitan;

makipaglaban ka, subali't tandaan

na ang nagwawagi'y ang pusong marangal.

At kung ang guryon mo'y sakaling madaig,

matangay ng iba o kaya'y mapatid;

kung saka-sakaling di na mapabalik,

maawaing kamay nawa ang magkamit!

Ang buhay ay guryon: marupok, malikot,

dagiti't dumagit, saanman sumuot...

O, paliparin mo't ihalik sa Diyos,

 bago pa tuluyang sa lupa'y sumubsob.

selfish decisions

A friend asked me recently, "What if I save some money to visit her and tell her how I feel?" I answered, "What's the point? She has a boyfriend and they have been together for quite some time now."

Call me a dream killer but allow me to defend myself on the argument. I do feel his need to express his feelings or he will forever have his "what ifs". But freedom of expression is not absolute, as my mass media law professor used to say. My friend had all the right to say what he feels, that I agree. But is this enough reason for him to actually do something? There is just a part of me that cannot find justice to the consequence his actions may be to the girl (who is a friend and a sister in faith), much more to her boyfriend.

ministry video

Thought of sharing a little something I did for the church when my mom requested for a presentation on the church ministries.

Music: Grace Flows Down - Passion: One Day Live (2000)
Photo credits: dad and Angela
Dance: Tina

asking God why

"Di ba sabi sayo ni God kayo? Bakit nangyari sayo 'to?"
(Didn't God tell you, you were going to be together? Why did this happen to you?)

I remember my best friend telling me that a few months ago. She, who recently declared that she no longer believes in religion or God, cares so much for me that I'm sure she did not state those words to offend God or my religion. It was an honest observation. Too honest in fact that I dreaded the day she will be saying this to my face.

But she did anyway. She had to. It was her being my friend. And this is also why I have always doubted telling her that the only reason I held on to him despite our complicated and seemingly unfair situation was that God wanted me to. She always had doubts with religion but she never questioned me for what I believed in.

Reepicheep and parables of treasures

Will You visit us in our world?

I shall be watching you always.

How?

In your world, I have another name. You must learn to know me by it. That was the very reason you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing Me here for little, you may know Me better there.

-Lucy to Aslan, Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

I was reading my Bible last Sunday and came across two particular parables. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44) and Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46) both talked about men finding great treasures. In order to possess these treasures, they had to make the sacrifice of selling all they have just to purchase these treasures.

Evan dances with God

My brother wanted to borrow my Lord of the Rings DVD a few days ago. As I was looking through my closet, I came across a long-forgotten movie I had enjoyed a few years ago.

Sequel to the 2003 film Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty  is a comedy film released in 2007. Newly elected to the Congress, Evan Baxter (played by Steve Carell) on the eve of his first day in the job prayed that God will help him "change the world". He eventually found himself being tasked by God (played by Morgan Freeman) to build an ark as flood will come on Sept. 22. Mocked by others, Baxter eventually found himself saving animals and residents of his village from a flood when the dam broke because of its poor design and construction.

The script here is simply great. There were jokes that showed analogies from the Bible. Only a man with great understanding of Christ and the Bible could pull off such lines!

As I was watching the film again, I found myself teary-eyed towards the end of the movie. Everything turned out well for Evan. He may have looked stupid and weird but he still did it. As he was on a hiking trip with his family, God showed Himself to him:

marriages, babies and census

I was reading news from Yahoo! Philippines and I came across an article fed by wires agency Agence France Presse. The report, "Marriage going out of fashion in Philippines", used the recently released 2008 census from the National Statistics Office to point out that getting married is no longer as big of a deal as it was years ago.

According to the census, 1,784,316 live births were registered in the country in 2008, of which 37.5 percent were born out of wedlock. Meanwhile, a total of 486,514 marriages were registered the same year (press release here). Of the cases, 41 percent were celebrated through civil rites and 36.3 percent were commenced in Catholic churches (press release here).

A growing number of Filipinos now treat marriage as an option, rather than a requirement, for starting families, said Nene Baligad, a member of a unit of the National Statistics Office that licenses people who officiate weddings.

"Nowadays, some couples just live in and only get married after having four or five children," she told AFP.

"You can't really say it's for practical reasons, since you can be married on the cheap. It's more like, we Filipinos tend to follow what is in fashion."

What the article failed to argue however, is that a decrease in registered marriages does not necessarily mean couples more often opted to living together instead of actually getting married.

NSO's release on live births also included statistics on teenage mothers. A total of 186,527 babies were born to teenage mothers, a 7.64 percent increase from 2007. This figure side by side the number of illegitimate babies born in 2008 may also show the lack of knowledge and the problem with education.

If NSO has provided the trend by age, we may be able to provide more analysis.

Allow me to say, I am proud that we may be the only country who does not allow divorce. Of course, there are biblical perspectives as to why divorce should not be an option but I am more concerned with the mindset divorce policies encourage. But I am for the inclusion of sex education in classroom discussion. And the way the article has made the connection between marriage statistics and the divorce bill was not clearly woven out.

The Redeemer

from the album Pieces of a Real Heart
performed by Sanctus Real

Sometimes I just want to start over
Cause everything looks like a wreck
And I need the courage to carry on
Cause I can't see what's ahead

And there are places I've wished I could be
Battles I've wanted to win
Dreams that have slipped through my hands
I may never get back again

But I'm still a dreamer, a believer
I've lost my faith in so many things
But I still believe in You
Cause You can make anything new

Sometimes I just wish we could say
All the things that are easy to hear
Ignore the injustice we see
And explain every unanswered prayer

But I'd rather speak honestly
And wear a tattered heart on my sleeve
Cause in the middle of my broken dreams
Redemption is here

I don't have every answer in life
But I'm trusting You one day at a time
Cause You can make a weak heart stay alive forever
This is where Heaven and Earth collide

I lift my hands and give my life
This is how my weary heart stays alive

The Difference

by Grace Naessens

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish, I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me and grew heavier with each task;
Why doesn't God help me, I wondered; He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me - He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence; I used all my keys at the lock;
God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

Rizal, God and my country

In one unusual occasion, President Benigno Aquino III declared June 20 a national holiday in commemoration with the 150th birthday of the one of the country's most acclaimed heroes, Jose Rizal.

Rizal, the Philippines' National Hero, was born on June 19, 1861. He was highly recognized for being a reformist during the rule of the Spaniards in the 19th century. He, together with the Propaganda Movement whose members composed of Filipino expatriates in Europe, fought for the recognition of human rights in the Philippines and pushed for the legalization of Spanish and Filipino equality, among others.

Readings on Rizal also noted his notion of national identity similar to the anti-colonial sentiment. Filipinos are who they were before the Spaniards came in 1521. In his Annotations to Morga's Succesos de las Islas Filipinas, he documented Filipino native languages and the re-establishment of national identity based on trade, industry and craftsmanship.

But up until now, citizens of the Philippines ask themselves, who are we as a nation? Filipinos easily adapts to the changes in environment that it somehow compromises the idea of identity.

I believe

Just a few weeks ago, the Tony Awards for Best Musical for 2011 was awarded to The Book of Mormon, a religious satire which tells the tale of two Mormon missionaries bound to Uganda to share their scriptures.

During the Tony Awards, Andrew Rannells, who played the role of missionary Kevin Price, performed "I believe". In this song, Price reconfirms his mission, commits to God what he needs to achieve and confronts the General, a local warlord and talks him into converting to the religion.

While at one point, the musical somehow ridicules the religion, it also serves a perspective on faith and doubt that even non-Mormons could appreciate. "I believe" in itself already has a lot to offer.

Here's part of the lyrics that really touched me: (Access full lyrics here)

I must trust that my Lord is mightier

And always has my back.

Now I must be completely devout

I can't have even one shred of doubt...

You cannot just believe part way,

You have to believe in it all.

The problem is doubting the Lord's will

Instead of standing tall.

I believe that God has a plan for all of us.

I believe that plan involves me getting my own planet.

The Scriptures say that if you ask anything,

If you ask God Himself he'll know.

But you must ask Him without any doubt

And let your spirit grow...

At a time when God asks you to just believe in Him and in His plans for you, this is somehow a good song to contemplate with.

Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

walang natira (no one left)

A few months ago, while I was doing my report on the media coverage of the Middle East and North African protests, I stumbled upon one of Gloc9's music videos titled Walang Natira, a social criticism packaged as a rap song.

The song talks about labor migration in the Philippines. About 1.5 million Filipinos left in 2009 alone to work abroad. Remittances from overseas Filipino workers have been the driving force of the Philippine economy for years. But it has always been a question if the government can actually take care of every Filipino they send abroad.

More than the OFW's welfare abroad, the song also pointed out the very important outcome of this labor migration.

Napakaraming guro dito sa amin ngunit
Bakit tila walang natira
Napakaraming nurse dito sa amin
Ngunit bakit tila walang natira
Nagaabroad sila
(Gusto kong yumaman)

Brain drain, which refers to the large-scale emigration of technically skilled people from one country to another. As more nurses, doctors, teachers and engineers from the Philippines move to other countries in pursuit of greener pastures, the more incompetent ones are left here, allowing the deterioration of knowledge of the field in this country.

As the last line of the song goes, "Napakaraming tama dito sa atin ngunit bakit tila walang natira."

movie week

I've had a pretty good share of movies this week. Last Sunday, I saw Kung Fu Panda 2 with my family. I went to the movie house alone Monday to watch Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Friday for X-Men First Class. What was even more interesting was how God had talked to me in these two latest movies.

After watching On Stranger Tides, there was a storyline I could not get out of my head. The story of Philip, a missionary, and Syrena, a mermaid, really struck me.

Philip was introduced in the movie as a captive and kept alive from one of Blackbeard's raid in a remote island. Blackbeard's daughter, Angelica, tried her best to keep him alive as Philip always believed that there is redemption for everyone. Since Blackbeard has been prophesied to be killed in a few days, he has embarked in a journey to find the fountain of youth to evade his death.

In order for the fountain of youth to work, they must collect a tear from a mermaid and this is where Syrena comes in. As Blackbeard's crew were being attacked by mermaids, a mermaid seemingly tried to grab Philip's foot. As he fell down, he was somehow saved from the boulders that fell from an exploding light tower. A boulder fell onto this mermaid's fins and this led to her capture.

The mermaid was placed in a glass casket. Philip had tried to keep her alive as long as they can and Blackbeard usually gave in as he has a need of her. Note that he was the only one kind enough to treat her with dignity and even gave her the name Syrena.

"Such beauty. Surely you are one of God's own creations...and not a descendant of those dark creatures who found no refuge on the Ark. Such beauty and yet deadly."
"Deadly. No."
"You attacked me."
"No. You are different."
"Different?"
"Are you not? You protect."

When First Class opened last Thursday, I could not get it off my mind. I have been waiting for the movie to come out ever since James McAvoy was announced to play Charles Xavier. (And besides, I am a Marvel aficionado). When it was already showing, I know I just had to see it no matter what.

First Class focused much on the tagline "Mutant and proud" to describe the early life of Raven Darkholme and Hank McCoy (Mystique and Beast). Both, as everyone knows, have had the most difficult time accepting their being different as their mutation has affected their physical being.

Raven had the talent to imitate anybody she desires and this has given her the chance to fit in. With the help of her surrogate brother, Charles Xavier, she had her own taste of the society. But when Erik Lensherr (Magneto) became friends with Charles, Erik kept pointing out that she should be appreciated for who she is.

"If you're using half your concentration to look normal, then you're only half paying attention to whatever else you're doing. Just pointing out something that could save your life."

Just a little background here. About two weeks ago, a Canadian lady joined in one of the teams that came to the Philippines. She mostly taught about inner beauty and how to appreciate yourself for who you are rather than looking at beauty through the world's eyes. While I'd have to admit that this has been a constant topic between me and God, it seemed like a very wide area of discussion which usually makes me feel like there is always something new to learn.

Since last year's turn of events, I've been having questions about myself and how I knew God had called me to be different. Different does not always mean being great. Sometimes, in fact more often, I can't seem to fit the standards of excellence the world has for everyone else. If I am different, how is it that even the man God chose me couldn't even see that beauty God has set upon me for being "different".

But I know God tells me not to fear for being "different" was never my insult. Rather, God is showing me that this will one of my strongest assets. The same way that Philip was thought to be different by the world (as a very religious man) and by the mermaid (as someone worthy to be loved), God is telling me to be proud of how He has called me for this will be seen by others. My service to God is what will make me worthy to be loved.

Moses and the burning bush

I was listening to my soundtrack playlist on ITunes at the office and my Prince of Egypt album reminded me how much I enjoy reading about Moses in Exodus.

Moses, though prominent, is usually unappreciated for his short temper which actually led to not being able to step foot on the Promise Land. What I do appreciate in his story is how, despite attempts of denying his purpose, actually left his royal status and came back to Egypt only to obey what God had commanded him to do. He was not perfect, but God's ways in his life were undeniable and he stood up to be a man of God.

One of favorite stories about Moses is when he tried to outsmart God to send someone else to deliver the Israelites from Egypt which is found in Exodus 3. Of course, no one could outsmart God but I do not think less of him for even trying. And the movie Prince of Egypt actually illustrated God in this as fierce and firm yet also very loving and understanding of our doubts in this situation.

I always believed God wants us to be honest with Him, to argue with Him of our thoughts and opinion. By reasoning out, we would fully understand His ways to the point that we will never doubt. It is not a form of disrespect, but rather an appreciation of His willingness amid His greatness to have a relationship with us despite our imperfections.

jump shots

Here's a few photos I took while we were at Laiya, Batangas for the youth camp. My sister and a few friends really enjoyed jumping for a photo. Love my camera. Hehe.

 

Puerto Galera

Coco Beach Resort
Puerto Galera, Mindoro
May 14 to 15

funny witty speeches

Seth Meyers, head writer of Saturday Night Live, gives a speech during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama cranks some jokes during the same event.

question and answer

I recently attended a seminar for media workers on how to reduce stigma and discrimination in AIDS and HIV. What made the seminar interesting and lively is when Dr. Eric Tayag of the National Epidemiolody Department presented the results of the 2010 Philippine HIV & AIDS Registry. As always, after every press conference reporters would storm in sources for a more personal interview. Of course, a personal interview in reality is not possible as other reporters would join once they see someone getting an exclusive.

Seeing reporters storm in Dr. Tayag reminds me of the days when I was part of that commotion.

I was not always confident of my questions and I would usually rely on other reporters' question in hopes that they would be asking the "right" questions. 

Of course, this is a reversed mindset. Asking questions, even if just for clarification makes the reporter recognizable to the person being interview. Most especially when he/she is of high profile, reporters would usually fight over the source's attention. It seems like a badge of honor to some reporters.

But yes, I left that life. And I am about to leave the media industry. I honestly miss those days. Who knows, I might be back and by that time, hopefully, most likely, I am more confident of who I am, able to ask the questions I ought to have asked a long time ago.

don't stop

Don't Stop
Rumours, Fleetwood Mac
as performed by Glee

If you wake up and don't want to smile
If it takes just a little while
Open your eyes and look at the day
You'll see things in a different way

Don't stop thinking about tomorrow
Don't stop, it'll soon be here
It'll be better than before
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone

Why not think about times to come?
And not about the things that you've done
If your life was bad to you
Just think what tomorrow will do

All I want is to see you smile
If it takes just a little while
I know you don't believe that it's true
I never meant any harm to you

Don't you look back

resurrection song

Easter Sunday is the day we remember that God had raised His Son, Jesus, from the dead to signify that He has overcome death for our sins.

On Easter Sunday, while I was singing in church, I was reminded of the song "I'm Alive (Reprise)" from the Broadway musical Next to Normal.

The musical tells the story of a mother who suffers bipolar after losing her son, a father who tries to make his family feel normal, a daughter who wanted nothing else but her parents love and attention, and a son, who despite dead, has been treated alive, thanks to the mother. Next to Normal stages the struggles of a family when dealing with death, psychological disorder, drugs, grief and acceptance.

"I'm Alive (Reprise)" was sung by the son, Gabriel, to express that despite his father's denial and his mother's therapy that erased him from her memory, he still lives on.

When I imagined God singing this song, I am reminded that His existence can never be denied. No matter how we dislodge Him from our thoughts, the more that He will make it known that He is more than just man's thoughts. He is and always will be alive.

I'm Alive (Reprise)
I am more than memory
I am what might be I am mystery
Come closer, come closer

I am old as time
I'm forever young
I am every song that will stay unsung 

I'll find you, remind you

Until you name me
you can't tame me
This is one old game
I can play so well

I'm alive, I'm alive
I am so alive 

The medicine failed and the doctors lied

I’m alive, I’m alive,
I am death defied!
I'm alive, So alive
I'm alive

Dear God

I am once more at lost.

A part of me wants to stay. I love what I do and I am even more excited for the things that I am projected to do. You've given me the heart for humanitarian action and I am just in awe that I can actually do the two things I love the most at the same time: reach out to people and still be in the media as You have called me to be.

http://highmoonmedia.com

But a lot of things have happened and these have gotten worse over the past few months. I have been treated a subject, not as someone with potential. The things I have been doing lately were the things she did not want to do. I have been treated as stupid for not knowing; much of the information I needed to learn were being withheld from me. Interactions have been primarily based on mood swings and I have become a sponge expected to absorb every bit of emotional instability, bitterness and inequality.

I heard them talking too. She sends her intentions of leaving. My boss tries her best to withhold her, make her come back simply because she is valued. Honestly, I cannot blame my boss for that, she really is a smart girl, even smarter than I am. But as I see them haggle about her future, I see clearer that I will be only be kept because she will not be around. And when she comes back, I will return to the same old me, a mere and without potential subject.

That is why part of me wants to leave. I want to try new waters, better waters in fact and see the role You want me to play in this world. I have been at lost once and I do not want to be withheld again of the things God wants me to have.

When he gave me an informal offer, people around me believes this may be one of the best things that could ever happen to me. Who would ever get an offer from an international organization whose director is also a Christian. I knew this is You working. I would never get this connection if it were not for You and through Your church.

But I am afraid of change. I have always been and You reprimanded me often for this. I am frightened of the people that I will be leaving. Furthermore, I am afraid to see myself leaving without learning anything and not being remembered, not necessarily for being great but at least for being a decent person.

I know the former was a blessing and I definitely do not want to walk out from that. But I do know as well that this is an opportunity placed by no one else but You. I am torn. I wish You could just tell me directly what I need to do. I want to follow You. When I decided to give my life to You, it is no longer I that live but You who live in me.

God, I wish for an easy exit on this one, no hard feelings, no conflicts, no riots.

As I listen to myself now, I guess it's time to be honest. Dear Lord, I want to leave and move towards the life that You want me to live. Give me the strength to say I am sorry. Give me the humility to admit my inability. Allow me to leave and be remember as a decent person who really did not give much care of herself when everybody did.

Most of all, give me the strength to be able to do Your will.

Always,
Your daughter

earthquake & tsunami in Japan

On the afternoon of 11 March 2011, an earthquake with a scale of 9.0 magnitude shook the eastern coast of Oshika Peninsula, Japan. The earthquake a massive tsunami with waves as high as 20 feet and destroyed Sendai. Japan, highly noted for its disaster preparedness specifically on earthquakes, now suffers the lost of at least 4,000 individuals with an estimate of 7,000 still missing.

Asahi Shimbun/ Reuters as published in Time

I was at the office watching CNN when all these were being tackled in the news. The network has shown footage of waters coming over Sendai as it happens. It felt like watching an end-of-the-world film and it gives us goosebumps knowing that this is not some fiction depicted visually. Somebody is really drowning out there.

God does not put us in trials that we cannot overcome, was my initial thought for Japan. May be not so quickly, but surely the Japanese can get through this. Being in a country that experience earthquake almost everyday, harsh as it may seem, surely they were the most prepared for this. And they will be able to stand up again.

This morning, I was reading James 5 for my devotions and God spoke about Japan. He specifically whispered to me His thoughts on this country through James 5:1-8.

 ¹Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! ²Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. ³Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. ⁴Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. ⁵You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. ⁶You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.

⁷Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. ⁸You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Harsh as these verses may seem, God does not forget His people. He also shared His love to the Japanese by promising healing:

¹³Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

If there is one thing that I, a Filipino, a citizen of a third-world nation without a relative working in Japan, can do for a country that was never attached to me, can do is to see to it that they are being prayed for, that they are reminded to humble themselves before God, and that they be healed. I'm sure some of them have when we were the ones in distress. 

redeemed

A lot has happened these past few weeks. I was so ready to take another step. Just when I thought I was going to meet her - and tell her we're okay - the meeting only became the anticipated that never was.

Then I asked God. Why didn't He let me have this closure with her? 

He answered, You don't need to see her to finally say it's over.

And then He read to me Isaiah 43 which says:
¹ But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
      And He who formed you, O Israel:
   “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
      I have called you by your name;
      You are Mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
      And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
      When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
      Nor shall the flame scorch you.
³ For I am the LORD your God,
      The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
      I gave Egypt for your ransom,
      Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
⁴ Since you were precious in My sight,
      You have been honored,
      And I have loved you;
      Therefore I will give men for you,
      And people for your life.
⁵ Fear not, for I am with you;
      I will bring your descendants from the east,
      And gather you from the west;
⁶ I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
      And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’
      Bring My sons from afar,
      And My daughters from the ends of the earth—
⁷ Everyone who is called by My name,
      Whom I have created for My glory;
      I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
 
¹⁰ “ You are My witnesses,” says the LORD,
     “ And My servant whom I have chosen,
      That you may know and believe Me,
      And understand that I am He.
      Before Me there was no God formed,
      Nor shall there be after Me.
¹¹ I, even I, am the LORD,
      And besides Me there is no savior.
¹² I have declared and saved,
      I have proclaimed,
      And there was no foreign god among you;
      Therefore you are My witnesses,”
      Says the LORD, “that I am God.
¹³ Indeed before the day was, I am He;
      And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand;
      I work, and who will reverse it?”
 
¹⁸ “ Do not remember the former things,
      Nor consider the things of old.
¹⁹ Behold, I will do a new thing,
      Now it shall spring forth;
      Shall you not know it?
      I will even make a road in the wilderness
      And rivers in the desert.
 
²¹ This people I have formed for Myself;
      They shall declare My praise.

I was playing "Holy is the Lord" from my computer and then I suddenly felt to urge to dance. My hands were lifted up as I swirl across my room, a smile on my face.

He then reminded me of the scenario I wrote in my "wish list" post, to which I said to myself I will one day be dancing again with joy because He has set me free.

It's over, He told me. You have been redeemed.

Boyce Avenue - Firework

Boyce Avenue - Firework

Powered by mp3skull.com

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag,
drifting through the wind
wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
like a house of cards,
one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep?
6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there’s still a chance for you
‘Cause there’s a spark in you

You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

‘Cause baby you’re a firework
Come on, show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby, you’re a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh”
You’re gonna leave ‘em all in awe, awe, awe

oh… You’re gonna leave ‘em all in awe, awe, awe

You don’t have to feel like a waste of space
You’re original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow
And when it’s time, you’ll know

Don’t let them to take your life for granted
you’re the only one who needs to rule your world
When life leaves you feel empty-handed
Lie low and show ‘em what you’re worth

New Year's Eve

for 2011

I was listening to an online Christian radio station, K-Love. Their question for the day was:

What is your one word for 2011?

It may signify a vision, a goal or a resolution.

My word for 2011? Revival.

With all that I have been through last year, I am hoping and claiming one of the best years ever; a year filled with God’s presence and power in my life; a year that God exists in my life beyond reasonable doubt; a year filled with so much more than this life I have at the moment.

My verse to claim for this year? Psalm 118:15-24

¹⁵ The voice of rejoicing and salvation
         Is in the tents of the righteous;
         The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
 ¹⁶ The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
         The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
 ¹⁷ I shall not die, but live,
         And declare the works of the LORD.
 ¹⁸ The LORD has chastened me severely,
         But He has not given me over to death.
      
 ¹⁹ Open to me the gates of righteousness;
         I will go through them,
         And I will praise the LORD.
 ²⁰ This is the gate of the LORD,
         Through which the righteous shall enter.
      
 ²¹ I will praise You,
         For You have answered me,
         And have become my salvation.
      
 ²² The stone which the builders rejected
         Has become the chief cornerstone.
 ²³ This was the LORD’s doing;
         It is marvelous in our eyes.
 ²⁴ This is the day the LORD has made;
         We will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is God’s promise to me for the year. This is going to be my blessing. I am just so excited to experience how God will make things better for me.