Sleeveless Errands

This is the second article that I wrote for an OFW magazine based in Singapore, actually I wrote this early December, and I remember writing about Christ coming from the manger to the cross. The publisher instead asked me to write about the New Year. And so I scrubbed my eyebrows to rush for this topic and the gracious Lord has provided that I be able to come up with this. And now I want to share this to all of you. May all of us be blessed with the coming year as God has faithfully desired to bless each one of us.

A few more tick of the clock and it's high time to look back to the past. The past 365 days at least.. A vast majority of people “once again” would come up with a long list of hopeful wishes. We plan to resolve issues by ourselves, never mind if it would be a replica of last year's agenda. What's important is to make that promise again and try our best to make it better this year.

One popular website lists the top 10 New Year's resolution that we mortal beings make. Topping the list is “Spending more time with family and friends”. The list is a result of polls conducted by different organizations and they have figures to prove that people really come up with these resolutions¹. Analyzing the list makes you think that man, in reality has age-old disappointments in life. We are prone to “miss the mark” or “not meet the line”. As long as our sanity could hold, we have a tendency to fail ourselves.

Then the 31^st of December comes, we are shocked to look at a blank sheet of data, we found out that the only effort we made in relation to these promises is to make a list of them. And then you sit on a table with a new sheet of paper to list a new set of resolutions, you could only say to yourself, “How come I miss that one?”

But why? It is not so difficult to do after all. It is not a life and death situation, it does not take a full armor to resist life's buoyant charisma, you don't need a surgeon to always remind you what smoking and drinking could do to the sensitive tissues of your body. And it only takes a mirror to realize that you need to tame that bulge tucked in your pants in favor of your belt. There are things called, paychecks, payslips, its printed clear for you to see, how come you always spend more than you have?

C.S. Lewis wrote, “We would have never promised to do things if we would have known how busy we would be. And all human beings have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way and can not really get rid of it.”²

Can it be true? That the more we understand our being, the more we become tolerant of these behaviors? Or is there Someone in the center of it all who made all things for our enjoyment yet we shun from Him. Going back to the second question of this paragraph, can humans, which are mere creations grasp the thought of the Creator?

Maybe if we would have known that we are created for a purpose, that we could not make it through a minute of this life with pure thoughts, maybe we would instead leave all things in one table and let Him who owns all do all the repairing for us. Maybe through that we would realize that there is no such thing as hopeless – only Godless.

Another year wasted you would say.

I have good news for you, the bible says “In Christ all things hold together”^3. Steven Curtis Chapman wrote, “There's a wonder in the here and now, it's right there in front of you. This is the only moment that we could do anything about”⁴

So the next time you would think of writing a new list of To-Dos, take it from the Best Man that ever lived, “Apart from Me you can do nothing”⁵

Notes:

1. http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/holidays/tp/resolutions.htm

2. CS Lewis, pp 7-8, “Mere Christianity”.. CS Lewis Pte Ltd. 1942

3. Colossians 1:17 NIV

4. Steven Curtis Chapman, “Miracle of the Moment”. Sparrow Songs, Peach Hill Songs 2007

5. John 15:5 NIV

Jesus is best CEO-type leader, says new S Korean leader

On my way to Mandalai Drive this morning, I got a copy of Today Online, a free newspaper from Mediacorp. While browsing the pages of the newspaper. The name of Jesus in bold letters on top of one of the pages caught my attention. This is indeed good news.

It's past midnight now, and I made sure I would be able to post a copy of this article to my blogsite. Well, here it is. The following section is published on Today Online, pp 22, December 29,2007, Saturday. Be blessed!

SEOUL — South Korea’s President-elect Lee Myung Bak , a former business CEO, has described Jesus Christ as “the best model of a CEO-type leader”. Mr Lee, 66, made the statement during a prayer meeting on Thursday at Seoul’s Somang Church where he serves as a Presbyterian elder, his aide Kim Heon Jin said.

“I’ve said I will become a CEO-type leader but, actually, the best model of a CEO-type leader was Jesus Christ,” Mr Lee said. “Two millennia ago, Jesus showed a leadership of service by
washing the feet of his disciples.

“Likewise, I will do my own best, serving the people.” Mr Lee wanted to stress his desire to become a president devoted to working for the people, the aide said. A former chief executive of the Hyundai group, Mr Lee has pledged to revitalise the economy. He faces a criminal inquiry into his alleged links to a 2001 share manipulation fraud. He denies wrongdoing and was cleared by an earlier investigation.

About one in four of the population, or 13.7 million South Koreans, are Christians, according to the National Statistical Office.

AFP

A pair of slippers for tired feet

On a desolate land fronting a majestic castle, footprints of despairing hope marks the pathway to the entrance gate. Numb as a beetle, the once robust shoulders became a yoke of failure. The proud hands could no longer wave boastfully but could only silently trace the rugged walls to the steel opening. After a few tries, the solemn shadow was successful in opening the doors, slowly, unlike the way he did when he left this castle.

It was not so long ago when he decided to make a mark of his own. To live life and enjoy everything at the expense of his father’s riches. Beautiful women collide with a delightful feast of his favorite foods. Expensive jewelries adorn his mortal body making him like the King of Egypt. Feasting as if it’s his last breath. Not looking back nor staring forward, he is stuck in a limbo of dancing dreams. His hopes where nowhere to be found, having everything in his hands. He thought glory went home to his heart and his pockets could spell anything that he wants.

Unfortunately he was wrong.

Not until he found himself eating with swines. Not until he could not figure out the difference between his sweat and his tears, especially if it’s on the tip of his tongues. Not until the silk that covers his soft skin became garments that even snakes would refuse to wear. How long did it take before the sky kissed the ground? Where are his friends who drank pure wine with him? There’s one, he looked familiar. Yes, it was the man on the bar. He spent so much money for that man’s drink. And that lady in black, she was all over her last night.

But what was in their eyes?

Don’t they know him? Have they forgotten the same man whom they shared high spirits on a single table?

It’s too late. They took off already. Back to the swine.

He never had eye contact with a pig before, nor did he notice that when pigs eat, it doesn’t matter where it came from. They just swallow every thing that their mouth could take. And as he was more than familiarized with their smell and the touch of their skin. He remembered one thing.

Yes, he remembered he has a father. He could ask his father to make him his slave at least he could have a nice place to sleep. Surely, his father can’t forgive him, but he could hire him as a servant to their household.

It was a long walk from town. Now he is finally in front of their house. Expecting the claws of his father’s rage and mimicking a hopeless dove in front of a blazing furnace, he walks slowly. The silence of the mist that surrounds their garden is music to his ears. He thought there was no one home that time, it was very calm. Why not? It was the late hour of the night. Everybody must be asleep. He starts to turn his back, and decides to come back tomorrow. As he takes the first step towards the gate, he heard a rushing sound of feet pounding the ground, with utmost desire to reach him, it was someone running. The sound gets louder as the feet gets closer; he could hear the hard breathing on that person’s chest. He could be wrong; tears are starting to cover his cheeks. He is too ashamed to look at the person’s face. Until the running stops, the hard breathing is now covering his own chest, why could he not move? Because there was a tight embrace wrapping his frail body. He could not take it anymore. He lifted his head to see his father’s eyes. And before he could speak one single word, all his strength was chastised by one single word from his father’s lips. “Son”

They shared a few steps towards the house, and it was only now that he noticed he was not wearing any slippers. He saw his father looking at his dirt worn feet. Smiling at him, his father said….

"Here is a pair of slippers for your tired feet my son!"

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."

Isaiah 43:25 (Today’s New International Version)

The Amazing Stolen Shot of a Ribcage in Distress

(Diagnosis: Over reaction to seven cups of coffee on Christmas Day)

Vanities of all vanities, in vain profanity
Curse is the idle mentality of its stubborn duplicity
A duel to a mile, as cruel as the Nile
With utmost desire to shun what is vile

In a populace of wise counsel, learning faster than a camel
A collage of gray and leather, has left the soul to wander
The ancient recipe of life’s mediocrity
Has transformed pity to a romantic atrocity

Maybe now, Maybe then, surely it could also be
A matter of honesty to prove that which is fallacy
A sand or a stone, could both be your tomb
Either of whom, you leave your mother’s womb

Climbing your Everest with only a vest on your chest
Rewriting the questions of your difficult quest
Hypodermic and losing eyesight within hindsight
A chill on your opposite right has left you dead tight

Crave for the fellow who wears your old yellow
Ask for the scaffold that held your feet low
Beside a building of miniature gambling
Is an ugly duckling that ate your spoiled dumpling

Oh laughter must end where letters could bend
With words you could lend when you could not pretend
That your bed is not fit to replace a thousand bulbs lit
When your eyes are knit to the place where you sit and eat

Never again will I take much caffeine
More than the drain that my friend has taken
So I would not write again, about a called curtain
Now I travel on a sleepy train, with this last word written 11:16

More than conquerors

There is no time for coffee break in war. Those who are quite idle get hit by stray bullets. And after the noise died down and groans of bleeding pain substitute the acrobatic fighting skills of opposing forces, the ground is left with with two kinds of warriors, the defeated and the conquerors.

I could go on writing about how graphic war could be but I could only pick up the words from those old war movies which I used to watch. As much as opposing nations could only say they are protecting their country at the end of a barrel of a loaded gun, in the same way I could only say that the only inevitable things about war is blood, sweat and tears. Though the joker would complain about the thief who took his sense of humor, there is nothing he can prove that indeed, he is only a joker and not a thief himself. Though the soldier would complain about the enemy who took his dreams away through a gunshot wound on his limbs, there is nothing he can prove that indeed he is only a soldier and not an enemy himself.

There could be a life-long debate to who the real enemy is when people are at war. Soldiers are paid to "protect" a better word to substitute for "kill". Battalion commanders gives order to destroy and conquer, fleet soldiers give bullets to survive.

Christians with only an armor of faith to shield their frail bodies have their own share of going into war. But they hold a bigger price tag at the end of the battle, they are called "more than conquerors".

The first few paragraphs of my article is just an introduction to the words that I really wanted to share, though I try my very best, I could not give justice to the person who wrote the following paragraphs. But still, In my own little way, I wish to share the inspiration that this writer have long been giving to people of all walks of life. To the weak and to the strong, to the poor and to the rich. To the lost who stood at the end of their line just to find hope carrying his burdens. The writer started with this verse;

"In all these things we are more than conquerors1"

"The gospel and the gift of God are structured so wonderfully that the very enemies and forces that are marshaled to fight against us actually pave our way to the very gates of heaven and to the presence of God. He wants us to be more than conquerors, turning storm clouds into chariots of victory. What your enemy plan to use for your defeat, you can confiscate for your own use.

When Dr. Moon, of Brighton, England was suddenly struck by blindness, he said, 'Lord, I accept this talent of blindness from you, help me to use it for Your glory so that when You return, you may receive it back with interest' Then God enabled Him to invent the Moon Alphabet for the blind, through which thousands of blind people were enabled to read the Word of God and thereby come to the glorious saving knowledge of Christ.

The ministry of thorns has often been a greater ministry to mankind than the ministry of thrones.2"

notes:
1. Romans 8:37
2. L.B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, 1925 Cowman Publications, pp 469

Numbers Everywhere

I read this news on Yahoo, and was so amazed by it I chose to post it on my blog. Whatever this man is drinking...let me have it.

My favorite part is this "He sat down and it was all very quiet -- and all of a sudden he amazingly just cracked it." Whooa! Sat down and cracked the 13th root of 200 digit numbers - err..without calculator just pure brains..

Anyways thats a lot of spoiler from me. Read the news for yourself and ask the person sitting next to you - "Cracked?"

'Mathlete' smashes human calculation record: museum

Tue Dec 11, 12:21 PM ET

The world's fastest human calculator on Tuesday broke his own record for working out a 200-digit number using nothing but brain power to produce the answer in just over 70 seconds.

Alexis Lemaire, a 27-year-old Frenchman, correctly calculated the 13th root of a random 200-digit number from a possible 393 trillion answers.

The so-called 'mathlete' produced the answer of 2,407,899,893,032,210 in 70.2 seconds, beating his previous record of 72.4 seconds, at London's Science Museum.

A computer was used to produce a random 200-digit number before he sat down to calculate the answer in his head.

The museum's curator of mathematics, Jane Wess, said: "He sat down and it was all very quiet -- and all of a sudden he amazingly just cracked it.

"I believe that it is the highest sum calculated mentally.

"He seems to have a large memory and he's made this his life's ambition. It's quite remarkable to see it happen. A very small number of people have this extraordinary ability; nowadays there is only a handful."

Lemaire, who attends the University of Reims in northern France, began demonstrating his prowess by finding the 13th root of a random 100-digit number but gave up trying to improve his performance when he calculated an answer in under four seconds in 2004.

Like an athlete, he trains his brain daily for the far harder task of finding the 13th root of 200-digit numbers.

Article URL:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/britainsciencerecordoffbeat

footnote:
The fastest mathematical equation I solved in my whole life was "Who killed Magellan?", and I was able to solve it for only 5 minutes, minus the time I looked for a calculator.

Cling to the Cross

Complicated circumstances clouding your view, leaving you without a clue about how much gravity it would take to keep your feet on the ground. Trying to resist the temptation to carry out a grand orchestra with songs as rare as a fantasy locked in the grave of a story teller.

Once upon a glimpse of time, there used to be a herald standing in front of you, improvising your motives on all walks of life.

In your fear to stop being the architecture of great words, you shun from the Giver of words. You know for yourself that He alone holds the chronometer of life but you still risk painting the sky with your own dreams. “You will never learn” says a fellow thief. “I’ll be waiting for you to fail again” says a failing mortal soul. You ran out of alibis this time and you ended up responding in defeat, “Maybe they are right”.

And the gloomy afternoons of your memories rushed to the dark nights of your guilt. The pride that escorted you to your downfall is now disguised as shame and prevents you from rising again. You prefer the ground; you say to yourself there is not much air for you to breathe you might as well remain lying down. And so you did.

Meanwhile on the other side of life called destiny, the road is filled with human beings moving on. Artists crafting new ideas, politicians stitching new promises to be worn, infants enjoying their milk while hope builds up in their fragile heart, hearts are breaking up, families being united, love being lost, friends leaving friends, strangers welcoming each other, and foes reconciling with their enemies. There’s a lot going on around you, would you still lie down?

You tried getting up but the mud you’re lying in is so thick, it hesitates to let you go, you are glued to destruction. You keep turning your head on all directions, you are looking for anything to hold on to, anything just to keep you out of that mud. Guess what? You are lying in a pile of mud; the nearest part of the earth near you is a rocky road. You give up. There’s no use to find your own way out. And as you lie down, you tried one unfamiliar thing that you have never tried before. You lay still. And there you see parallel to where you are is the sky; the cumulus calmness brought a sudden peace to the angry waves of your anxieties. And then you remember these words “My peace I leave to you”.

This place looks familiar, you are right. This is the same place that He went when He joined His Father in heaven. The early believers of the church were staring on that same place you are staring right now. They can never be wrong, they rejoiced in hope and continued to do so even up to the most grueling deaths in the hands of their persecutors. It is how He touched your life. From the manger, to the cross, to the tomb, then beyond the tomb, He went straight to His throne.

It’s the only hope there is for saving you. The world behind you, the cross before you. No turning back, no turning back.1

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth2

Great is your God!

Sleep in peace as the day dawns; leave everything to Him who is all knowing. His grace has made you whole, His love has proven it all and all you need to do is be still and know that indeed Jesus is Lord!3

Notes:

1. Paul Baloche and Matt Redman, "I Cling to the Cross" 2007, Ingerity's Hosanna! Music.

2. Psalm 40:2-3 NIV

3. Psalm 46:10 NIV

Leaving a trail

Leaving a trail
Originally uploaded by Blessed.Wind

It came to pass that you left home...far from where I am standing you stood your ground...with an honest heart you bid goodbye...Though you wanted to stay, there lies a greener pasture on the other side of the valley...not for your sake but for those you loved...as the clouds flew with you, I fared you well...not letting you know that your heart is in danger, I chose to stay...thank you for not going too far....thank you for leaving a trail for my blood stained footsteps to follow...I never knew you would stop and wait for me somewhere down that dark road...but there you were, with your usual silent stare...I was not ready for it but you gave the fiercest blow that shattered all my faults into pieces...you gave love when hatred was all there is for me...you gave love when the guns of treason I fired came rushing back to me...you gave love when the only shield I have left is death...thank you for your love...may I have enough life enough to give you back even half of what you gave...i love you!

Between a pen and a paper lies a black ink.

Obhet Cristobal, Singapore

The ink is almost dry as the pen suffocates itself with frivolous relaxation. And in the affluence of a semi-charmed kind of life, the price tag did not reveal how much life is really worth. Instead there is a very distinct mark on the worn-out piece of paper, and it reads “fill in the blank”.

Friday evenings are not the same as it used to be, the once familiar excitement of Saturday’s first hour becomes an unfamiliar longing to rest. The motivation to think that was once the result of a romantic moment with nature suddenly becomes a rushing desire to sink in the covering of a nylon bed piece.

Life transforms so easily, it’s either you're aware of it or you just realize it, most of the time you get surprised by the grains of sand adorning the tip of your weary sandals. You are never sure where you came from in as much as you are sure that you are not supposed to be where you are. The need to pursue a path becomes a tragic craving to bring your steps to a halt.

Is it the long road ahead that’s taking your time or is it the time taking different roads that heads to nothingness?

The soul is confused, while the logic is diffused.

When life’s recipe is left with only a concoction of comedy and common sense, you will soon find out that there’s not much left on the table to enjoy. Suddenly you search for greener pastures, you look for the lighter shade, you remember a choral fest of silence that slowly builds up to a ferocious stillness. The quiet wild that hinders you from dancing with the wind.

“Take me with you”, says your heart to the mirror in front of you, but the mirror could only whisper, “I could only go where your eyes could stare, if only you would not turn your back on me and forget how I look like”

Rubbish!

All these are rubbish. You wish to sing a new song and enjoy the miracle of the moment, you’re tired of swinging back and forth between the altar and the door but you are pretty sure you will fail again.

The only way is to let go of all your “if only’s”. To leave the “maybe” behind, to throw the “what if” away and to ignore the “this time I’m ok” attitude. You are really no good by yourself, you need a Savior, you need to spend your life to things of eternal worth. Fixing your eyes on the rainbow will not take you to the pot of gold, but setting your eyes pass the highest clouds, to the hands the hold the sun and the moon together, to the One that counts the stars, to the author and finisher of your faith, then your life would begin to have that iota of worth.

Eventually you still don’t deserve it.

But how come you enjoy a good life?

Love says it all. Not just any ordinary love, but that which has no greater love, that is willing to die so that others might live, that which triumphed over the cross. That kind of love.

Severely broken for the sake of all, wounded so you would never bleed. Crushed so you would be whole, insulted so you would hold a crown, died so you would live.

Dear friend, if you know something longer than forever, count again you will never miss it’s ending for sure.

On the third day, He rose again.

One heart entangled in a chaotic stupor of trivial errors. Breathing every moment made for uncertainty.

Violent unbelief scares off a young man's dream. In a famine of sleep and loss of speech, the warm kiss of nature suddenly turns to a bloody wrath of the wind. Blank walls raised from miniature lies, when the ones you ate with on the same table becomes stranger as a foe. There you find the soil with utmost worth.

God's beautiful grace made sure that the skies cover this earth, for in moments that there's no more right left to see on all sides, you look up to the sky as tears remain in your face and will never fall down to the ground, until you feel it transform to a tiny river gushing forth from your weary eyes down to your pale face.

True, pain can make you numb. But life is never painless, take heart it is never joyless also. Enveloped emotions are rarely fruitful.

Losing hope is easy, just let go of your conscience and its a done deal. The good thing about hope is although you thought you lost it all, it chose to remain inside of you and would surely make a comeback not for your own glory but for your worth by virtue of a wooden cross. “Apart from me you can do nothing” such kind words from the lover of your soul.

You screwed up this life, big time, there's no turning the spotlight to you again, you had it all, the applause of your peers is but a silent stare. Everyone wonders how so much mud ended up on your face without anyone noticing. No one to point a finger to, even the mirror might turn its back on you. Where do you go?

Some people jumped to their death. Some took a bath with their own blood. Some smiled. Some knelt down. Some did the same thing, even worse. Some defended themselves. Some wrote blogs. But the solid truth is, most of them died. The remaining ones are yet to die.

Death, so tragic yet sweet. Ferocious yet silent. Death has his own time, but never on yours, it would never knock on your door to warn you and make you pack your bags. It doesn't come with a return address in case you still want to live an extra day. It's there, it sure is.

If there is one thing about death that mortals should learn to live with is that – IT IS NOT FINAL!

There is a second verse to your life song, there is a victory proclamation to your life service, there is a coat of comfort to your yoke-swollen shoulders, there is “well done” note to the servant from the Master. But let us not forget, there is also a fiery fire to blaze a life lived in the dark.

There is no safer time than now to read those words again “On the third day, He rose again”. Praise Him for the blood. Nothing else could make you whole again. No one else to lift your head again, None can compare to how He loved you. Not for who you are, but because of what He's done, not because of what you've done, but because of who He is.

The Legend of the Thorn Sower

“Ladies and gentlemen this is your captain speaking, we are expecting partly cloudy skies upon arrival at our destination airport. I hope you enjoy the flight”

It was not your ordinary flight on time day, in fact the plane flew four hours later than expected. As the first group of passengers lined up for boarding, the flight crew was very warm in checking the boarding passes.

Everyone is seated. All trust are hosted on the plane's cockpit. No electronic signals are allowed to interfere with that of the plane's.

A young girl opens her book, reads her favorite part. Words that inspired her before never fail to inspire her still. It was a book given to her by her friend, it was a few years ago that her friend left her for good. She never knew what happened to her friend but every time she flips the pages of her book, she remembers the color of the night when they shared tears together.

Two seats ahead of the girl was an old man, in his age, he is very excited to see his beloved son. How many years was that? Five years! What have happened to his son, he never answered his letters, he never even tried to contact him.

“Mommy! How long are we going to fly?” Trisha asked her mom. As if she heard nothing, her mom just brushed her hair and quietly smiles, dreaming of the warm embrace of her beloved, none can compare to the feeling of being reunited to Randy, ah! None sweeter than her husband's name.

“Can I call you when we get there?” a young bachelor asking the beautiful lady beside him whom he just met. She just nodded. A simple nod, but for the young lad, it meant everything.

A few notches ahead, as the clouds swallowed the 150 plus seater, turbulence sets, engaging the beautiful view from the wing side to a ferocious grip of courage. A sudden surge would prove fatal, no one knows. Everyone is venturing in limbo.

Calming peace.

35,00 feet from the ground, doubts begin to pile up with the pressure rising up, something went wrong with the right wing. Bonnie saw it and she already told herself, “I'm gonna die”

Fear permeated an almost dim lit section of the plane.

Empty bottles and waste bags are scattered on the floor.

The captain remains silent, he knows what to do in this kind of situation. He never fear death, though it was his first time to encounter such arrogance of nature, he simplified his options.

“I have to keep the plane on the air as long as I don't see a safe place to land”

The plane started to plunge.

“God help us” the captain uttered in a near hopeless situation.

There was a loud roaring sound, the speed of the plane collapsing to the mountain top was so quick to introduce death to everyone. The other wing catches fire, a loud beeping sound surrounded the dying plane.

To hold their breath is what everyone can do the most.

It did not help either.

Smoke.

Blood.

Smell of gasoline.

You could witness a canvass of dead people and the carcass of the airplane. How many were dead? Who would know? Except one.

It was the captain of the plane. The master and commander of the deceased airbus. To some stroke of luck, he was the only one standing. He was the only one left to tell the story. But who would believe him? and who will be the first one to listen to him?

He tried to measure the magnitude of the damage done. But how? Does he need to count the casualties? Search for them? There are 180 of them, where would he start?

It's easier to walk around a parked plane than to walk pass the pieces of a demolished plane.

He can't stand the sight of lifeless bleeding bodies, he walked far from the plane, he could still see it, he walked a little farther, but he could still see it.

As he puts his eyes away from the plane, he saw fields of green. Beyond that are tall trees, maybe protecting a small wildlife community. Those trees could provide food and shelter for him. He walks slowly, his every step was heavy as if he is wearing an iron shoes.

A few steps inside the forest, he could see darkness, uncertain darkness. But at the heart of the forest, there seem to be a small light. Regardless of its size, it amplified something in his heart, something that was left intact amidst the bruises and pain that he suffered from the plane crash.

He is not sure where that light is coming from but amidst this twilight zone, there it is. It may take long before he gets there, but the one thing that remained in his heart was so sure he is never alone.

Hope.

The only thing that he holds on to.

He never know when his life will last.

He never know how many steps are left before hope dries up.

It's painful to be alone, without anyone to encourage him as he walks towards that light. But one great servant of God once said;

“The classroom I went to was so difficult, the lessons are so painful, but Jesus stood in front of the class. And that's why I learned a lot”1

There may be a hundred steps left, or even a thousand, but for the captain, it won't matter for he is not the captain of his life anymore.

The forest swallowed him.

There was no trace of him from where he came from.

Silence.

Footnotes (quoted italic text)
1. Corrie ten Boom, Door to Repentance, 1971

Digital Soap Opera

To create a new standard, it takes something that’s not just a little bit different, it takes something that’s really new and really captures people’s imagination and the Macintosh, of all the machines I’ve ever seen, is the only one that meets that standard.”
–Microsoft founder Bill Gates, 1984

If I were running Apple, I would milk the Macintosh for all it’s worth–and get busy on the next great thing. The PC wars are over. Done. Microsoft won a long time ago.”

–Steve Jobs, 1996

These two guys looked good together, a battle royal for almost three decades can also lead to bursts of laughter and sharing of common ideals. Find out what these two has to say to each other as they give a glimpse of how they got to the top and maintained to stay there.

Read the liveblog of D: All Things Digital at this link

Diversity of Man's Struggles

This news article was published in Religion Today (www.crosswalk.com). If EDSA has been a great challenge to you as well as the stunts of government officials smuggling for applause, try to read this article and digest every word that spells poverty.

Pick up those crumbs of bread at your table, buy enough soda cans for the day, flag your neighbor with a smile, thank God even for a while, for some of our pains and hunger are defined as feast and comfort on the other side of this earth.

British Evangelical Aid Agency: Many Children Dying in Zimbabwe

Peter Grant, Tearfund’s International Director, says children are now suffering from very high levels of chronic malnutrition. “People are dying. It’s the very young, the very old, and those with Aids who are the most vulnerable,” says Peter. “We heard recently of a church leader who had to bury a grandmother and a baby from the same family over the same weekend. As the year goes on with the continuing food shortages, we can expect the situation to get worse, and more people to die.”

“With inflation exceeding 4500% - some reports put the figure nearer 8000% - currency no longer buys food and medical care. Even if people could afford to go to hospital, there are no longer medical supplies to treat them. The wages of hospital staff do not even cover the bus fare to work,” the story continued.

full story

Like a Rose Trampled on the Ground

[Reflections on the Song, Above All]

Above all powers, Above all kings
Above all nature, And all created things
Above all wisdom, And all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Julius Caesar made the most of his divine ancestry and built a temple in his forum to Venus Genetrix, Mao Tze Tung had his little red book carried by multitudes, Adolf Hitler killed the Jews, Pol Pot became popular with agrarian communism, Joseph Estrada became president, Mike Arroyo went to Hong Kong, the bus driver cuts loose a wild chase in EDSA, a rugby-saturated young thief went off with the purse of an old lady in white, a jobless drunk stabbed to death a sober dreamer.

Above all kingdoms, Above all thrones
Above all wonders, The world has ever known
Above all wealth, And treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure What You're worth

Napoleon was poisoned, Saddam Hussein was caught on a filthy hole in Baghdad, Kurt Cobain swallowed a shotgun bullet, Richard Nixon stepped down from office, JFK's head was shattered by an assassin's bullet, Ninoy Aquino's white clothes were tainted with his own blood, Ferdinand Marcos flew to Hawaii, Government inks ZTE deal, Team Unity beats Genuine Opposition 12-0, FPJ dies, PGMA says sorry, the writer of this blog thought he knew it all.

Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

A carpenter was nailed to a wooden cross, the blood of a sinless Savior for the remission of the sins of those who killed Him, the King of kings stripped of His robe on His way to the cross, His death in exchange for the lives of those who would believe, Glorious Lord crowned with thorns, the multitudes hated and shouted at the One whom the angels worship, “It is finished” and the battle is won! He rose on the third day, He sits on His throne but He is never busy running His Kingdom for you not to hear these words from Him “I love you my child, I gave my only begotten Son, believe me and you will have eternal life”

Jesus Christ, according to Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc's song was rejected trampled on the ground like a rose. Beautiful Jesus took the fall, and thought of you and me – ABOVE ALL!

Rain, Rain On my Way!

On a taxi going to Hotel Royale yesterday, we could hardly see the road due to heavy rain. I was listening to Philips, Craig and Dean's Crucified with Christ. My favorite line of that song is “His cross will never ask for more, than I can give, for it's not my strength but His”

And as I get inspired and give thoughts to countless means where Christ has blessed me, there before me was another great orchestration of His divine protection not only to me and to the whole mankind. Different authors have wrote about nature testifying to God's majestic craft, you see it in the sunset, you feel it in the cool breeze, you listen to it in the sound of the wind paying homage to the cloud of life.

The rain continued to poured hard. But my heart suddenly thanked God for one simple thing. It made me think about the rate of evaporation, how much water is getting sucked by the clouds in an infinite repetitive cycle of evaporation and condensation. And then I was caught in amazement knowing that for every drop of rain to kiss the ground, there has to be someone to count them first, or someone to make sure that just enough water would rain down on us. Otherwise, Waterworld would cease to remain a myth.

If you want to know the rate of evaporation, on one website that I recently surfed (though I really can't understand the PSIs and molecular weight jargons), the article states something about 1.1 Kg/sq m/ sec. A largeish number according to the author.

Don't know if that would be the exact figures, but the certainty of a Supreme Creator of this universe making sure that there's just enough rain would remain a glimpse of God's mystery which is both sovereign and carefully executed.

Next time you get trapped on a bus stop, without your umbrellas, and the rain poured hard. Avoid your rage, it won't get you dry, instead thank the One who covered the earth with clouds and sent the rain in its season.

I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.

Leviticus 26:4

SESAME!

Isang pagpupugay sa munting gabay ng aking kabataang di mapalagay

Kung gusto mong sumaya

Kung gusto mong sumigla

Igalaw mo, igalaw mo

Igalaw ang 'yong ulo.

Huebes ala-una ng tanghali, kakagising lang ni Sultan Parachibum. Agad niyang hinanap ang kanyang mga alagang si Ningning at si Gingging. Sumigaw siya sa gawing kanan, "Ning!" Sa gawing kaliwa, "Ging!" At sabay humatsing, "hatsing!"

Hindi niya matagpuan ang kanyang hinahanap, sa kakalakad sa maliit na eskinita sa gilid ng Podium ay nagulat siya, “Bwahahahaha!” sabi ng isang anino ng matsing, hawak ang saging at maikling baging, bigla itong naglaho. Nilapitan niya ang pinanggalingan ng boses ng matsing at sa di inaasahang sitwasyon ng kanyang pusong mamon, nakita niyang nakahandusay ang matandang babae, duguan, kikip ang isang bolang kristal at may suot na ID na hugis ATM na may nakasulat na “Manang Bola at Your Service” Diyata’t isa itong stewardess ng Tiger Airways?

Kung gusto mong sumaya

Kung gusto mong sumigla

Igalaw mo, igalaw mo

Igalaw ang mga paa.

Agad itinext ng sultan ang kaibigan niya sa media, si Noli De Kasyo, “Pre where na you? Dito n me” ipinaling niya ang kanyang 3G na 5110 (3G as in 3 Gives), sa gawing hilaga upang makahanap ng signal, at ng may signal na siya ay biglang tumunog ang mapagbirong “toot” sa palsetong tono ay nabatid ni Sultan na wala na siyang load.

Nag abang siya ng kung sino mang dadaan para makahingi ng tulong. Ilang saglit pa ay palukso luksong dumaan si Kapitan Basa, hawak ang aklat ni Sydney Sheldon, tinangka niya itong istorbohin “Manong, Manong! Pahingi ng tulong! Kung ayaw mong matanong, hahampasin kita ng talong!” sa takot ni Kapitan Basa ay sumagot nlang siya ng “Ok, wag lang science ha?”

Kung gusto mong sumaya

Kung gusto mong sumigla

Igalaw mo, igalaw mo

Igalaw ang mga kamay.

“Nakita ko kasi itong bangkay ng matandang babae na ito, tingin ko wala na siyang buhay, kung meron man eh sumakabila na, gusto ko siyang tulungan, dalhin sa kung saan, kaya lang wala akong kakayahan, ngayon eto ang tanong ko – bakit nakalimutan ni Christian Bautista ang Lupang Hinirang?”

“Eh nagpapatawa ka ba?” ika ni Kapitan Basa, “hindi nakalimutan ni Christian yun, nalobat lang yung gamit niyang Magic Sing kya nag iba ang lyrics niya.”

“Ano yang kaguluhan na iyan?” sigaw ni Irma Daldal, ang call center agent na nakatira malapit sa Brickley.

“Hindi kami magulo!” duet ni Kapitan at Sultan, “ang gobyerno ang magulo hindi kami”

“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” (parang sa komiks, nagulat!) “bakit may patay jan? sabi ni Irma!

“Nakita lang namin ito dito” duet uli ng dalawa, sa pagkakataong ito ay tenor si Sultan at bass naman si Kapitan.
Sino ang may kasalanan?

Kung gusto mong sumaya

Kung gusto mong sumigla

Igalaw mo, igalaw mo

Igalaw buong katawan mo.

“Alam namin kung sino” sagot ng dalawang alien na si Sitsiritsit at Alibangbang, “kanina kasi habang nagwiwindow shopping kami sa St. Francis Square ay nakita namin ang matandang iyan na tila nakikipagtalo sa isang matsing.”

Samakatuwid, ang ating prime suspek ay isang matsing.

Timing namang padating si Pong Pagong kasama ang isang maliksing matsing na matanong.

“Alin, alin? Alin ang naiba? Isipin kung alin ang naiba?” Masaya nilang awit. Walang kaalam alam sa gulong madadaanan.

“Huli ka!” sabay sabay na turo ng lahat kay Kiko, (hindi Santos, kundi Matsing)

“Ako?” sabi ni Kiko, “Ikaw nga sabi ng kaibigan niyang pagong”

“Teka, anong ginawa ko?” paliwanag ng Matsing.

“Ikaw daw ang may kagagawan nito” Sabay turo ni Irma Daldal kay Manang Bola na nakahandusay pa rin ng mga oras na iyon.

“Hindi ako!” sabi ni Kiko.

“Ungh!” sosyal na ungol ng matandang stewardess.

Nagulat ang lahat!

*Ako din nagulat kasi biglang dating ng amo ko at nagtanong kung ano na raw ba ang natapos ko, salamat sa gakidlat na bilis ng Alt-Tab at nailipat ko ng tamang oras ang screen sa Photoshop.

“Si Manang Bola buhay!!!!” sigaw ng ibong si Koko Ki-Kwak.

“Hindi maari” sambit ng sultan.

“Paano nangyari yun?” sabi ni Kiko.

“Himposibol” bulalas naman ni Pong

“Ohmigosh!” sabi ng sosyalerang si Irma

“No-Deal” sigaw naman ni Kapitan Basa.

“Alinsunod sa nakalap na ebidensiya ng mga guwardiya, ikaw Manang Bola ay hinahatulan ng hukumang ito ng mga kangaroo ng dalawa’t kalahating ulit na habang buhay sa salang pandaramba!”

“Inuutusan ka ng hukumang ito na isauli ang nakulimbat mong isang garapon ng mentos at magbayad ng danyos perwisyo na nagkakahalaga ng 150 pesos gift certificate sa Isetan Recto”

“Dahil kaming lahat ay pinaniwala mong dedo ka na, pagkakaitan ka ng karapatang mag chat at mag attach ng file sa iyong email”

“Binabawi na rin namin ang 20% discount privileges mo at wala ka ng aasahan sa retirement benefits mo (as if meron naman tlga diba?)”

“Anong masasabi mo Manang Bola”?

“I’M SORRY!”

The comfort of poverty

The comfort of poverty
Originally uploaded by Blessed.Wind

On my way to SM Marilao in bulacan, I was seated on the front seat...these people caught my attention..they were shouting at me with words that I could not understand, maybe it's the language they have or I'm pretty sure it's the discrimatinion inside of me that made me not understand them...but as i witnessed...these people seem to enjoy their time together...even in the uncertainty of the existence of their new found home...they took time to gather...left alone with a smoke to chill up to...I may not be that rich but I am certainly well off compared to these people but how come their hearts are richer than mine?

Cover the Earth with God's Glory

Cover the Earth with God's Glory
Originally uploaded by Blessed.Wind

A glorious praise and worship offered to the Glorious King...truth remains that all our strength, our joys and every inch of worth in us is who He is in our hearts, the voices of passionate worshippers reaches the throne of the Sovereign Lord in majestic utterance that it is all about Him alone...

JIL SG Worship Leading Team!

Static Magnetism to an Orb of Decadence

[Instant coffee and aircon, prose and confusion]

I left the park without the usual gutsy feeling and a bullet proof attitude of "let go of me dude!, I'm fed up with you".

Almost cynical of your righteous intention, I need to fasten my seatbelt and let the adrenaline rush, shy of Pompey's post privatus years.

The metallic plate of my subtle dreams ended up in a less than lucrative business of the self.

Not minding the gradient color of the blood that spilled from self inflicted wounds, my hopes are reduced to half the number of stars that collared my engaging tactics. Deal with me now or prepare for the great white shark's ferrocious kiss.

Listen to the sound of the black keys that holds my fingers apart, I hurriedly take you away to neverland, to where we will never grow old, to where the pirate captain is held captive to the croc's enigmatic agenda.

I am helpless in preventing the rage behind these words that time had allowed me to translate inside a dim-lit room of strange people.

Though the memories have died in the eye of the strong hurricane, fear never held back an inch and took his post.

Battle!

To battle the essential truth behind the smile. To rattle the poignant decaying pulse for a little while. The mantle of random heartbeat refuse to survive. The damsel of creative distress is barely alive.

Thank you!

The curtain is lifted.

I'm out of words, a burglar of poetic innovations.

Leave me alone and let me alone.

My dear self, how I long to ask "Where did you sleep last night?"

And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27

Blessed Be Your Name

First day at work today, woke up early...last night I closed my eyes digesting M. Redman's book with these lines;

Can a child presume to choose where or how to live,
But can a Father's love refuse all the best to give?

He further explains, We cannot choose our path in life but we can choose to walk down it with a worshipful trust in the sovereignity and Father heart of God.

Matt is dwelling on the topic of worship having a price tag, in all circumstances, in bright and dark seasons of the soul, "Lord blessed be Your name"

A few minutes ago reading L.B. Cowman's devotional book, she speaks about Job who declared, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:21).

Today is one season of my soul that I share with only a handful of people around me. After four months in Singapore, finally i would start work. Told a few around me that I lack the confidence to pull this through, due to the fact that I came from freelance land, I have never had much of the nine-to-five routine.

Well here I am, I have been praying for this and I could only pray that God be with me in every step of the way. I pray for His grace that I would never miss that which He purposed me to be in this place, to meet these new set of people and to work in a totally different environment.

Have to scram, never felt like this since grade school (argh! I just made it to the mushy team)

God bless to all, I do have hundreds of words when I get home tonight, hope to have enough strength for a blog entry.

Carrying Out Great Exploits with Strength in Knowing God

JIL Singapore, 17th Anniversary, 2007

9th of September, 2007, Sheraton Towers. Six months of preparation lead to this day of celebration. As God has again revealed Himself to the worshipping hearts of this congregation, the aura of reverent amazement to Jesus filled the air. A rainbow of eternal hope embellished the cloudless skies of souls in need of God’s mercy and grace.

The production team is all set; every little details have been put in its rightful place by the diligent ministry groups. The administrative team has done a great job of putting up a great program; the groups of intercessors have spent time marrying their knees to the ground. Prayers, tears, exhaustion, sleepless nights, joy, silence. Countless enough to write a whole chapter of what was involved in preparation for this day, but one thing could not be left out. One of highest importance, that amidst all of the corporate efforts to put up an organized event, there is One who sits on His throne saying “Here comes the apple of my eye!” As if He sets a time to gather His angels to witness a group of believers, maybe amounting to a thousand that day but before the heavenly architecture of God is only a speck of dust. Yet, in His throne, God is so much excited to see young people, old people, professionals, mothers, fathers and children gather and shouting Jesus’ fame. Worshipping God as He covers this earth with His glory. Telling the world that Jesus loves them.

“Here they are to worship me”, Jesus says to His angels. “Yes they will never know how much it will cost to see their sins in my cross, but they called upon me and here they are to say that I am their God” Jesus continues to speaks about His worshippers.

It is already 1 in the afternoon; the guests slowly took their seats. The program began with an introductory voice over, followed by the Philippine National Anthem led by Sis. Thessa Tepase. Not long after, the JIL Singapore worship leading team took the stage with a passionate hunger and thirst. “Praise the Lord!” Everyone is at their feet, the dancing generation turned their time of waiting into raising of hands, shouting out loud and thumping of feet. All for the glory of their Creator, all because they love the One who first loved them.

The usual routine of the program went through, Bro. Paul Palis and Sis Hazel Guiling did a great job as emcees. Sis Mae Ignacio, the wife of our guest speaker from Australia, Pastor Jerry Ignacio, exhorted tithes and offering to the congregation and afterwards, one of the highlights of the program is the launching of the KKB Singapore, after a short avp, they rendered a live band performance, All for Love and I Am Free. These young people not only looked good on stage with their colorful outfit, they poured out their hearts for this one great opportunity to worship God. The fruit of long months of rehearsals were not only evident on their songs but on the desire of their hearts that sang louder than their instruments and voices.

The guest speaker is the JIL Worldwide Ministry Director for Asia Region 3 and the Resident Pastor of JIL Australia. It was a short, yet very inspiring message. Anchored to the theme in Daniel 11:32b; But the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits, His message revolved around the truth of how much we know of God that would determine how we will see things, how it would affect our future and how much of Him would be revealed to us.

“You are created by the Creator therefore you are creative” What a magnificent statement. Since we are created in the image of God, there is that something in us that is part of what God is, the one thing that would make the difference is; How much do you know of your God? Would that be enough for you to be strong and carry out great exploits?

Pastor Norlyne Gagarin, the Resident Pastor of JIL Singapore was still in Algeria yesterday so a video of his greetings was projected on screen. And you could definitely feel how much this great servant of God loves his flock so much, his words speak completely how his heart has been always praying for these fruits. How God alone has been the center of His agenda that from the early years in Botanical Garden, His flocks grew to two Sunday services at the Royale Hotel.

Bishop Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva, Sis Dory J. Villanueva and Rep. Joel Villanueva sent their greetings which were read by the emcees.

Among the highlights of yesterday’s event was the pantomime presentation of the KKB, a song number by Bro. Jess Lampasa and Sis Thessa Tepase.

The event was followed by a dinner fellowship at the same venue with other special guests, Pastor Rey Navarro and wife, Bro Ricky Sanchez who rendered two inspiration songs.

It was a great day indeed. It was not about how the people grew tired, all wanting to go home and call it a day. It was a picture of excited believers, ready for the next big thing for God. Bro Arnold Francisco, threw a few words to me before I went home, “This is a long year for us, more events to come”

Praise God for the great opportunity to sing to Him, to give to Him, to live out loud for Him. A life resolved to God would have great faith to leave the results to Him. Yesterday’s event resulted to one clear thing that was etched in everyone’s heart...

The greater praise of His greater glory!

See you on the 18th year celebration.

Problem Solving Problematic

Singapore, 2007

My wife and I are running short of time preparing for this day’s event. It’s two hours before our call time and we should be at the venue by then. But while taking a hot shower, the “urge” to write seems to pull my senses deep and give it a try. Yes, that is how I write, I write from instincts. I seldom have a clear understanding of what I would write until I get my fingers on my laptop keyboard and started scribbling for words. I don’t know how real writers do their stuff, but this is how I do mine. And unless someone would cross my path and tells me – “This is how you should do it” then I would give it a thought. Then maybe I would start to become a real writer.

Anyways, to satisfy my craving to write today, what I learned from the seminar yesterday seems to be a good start for a good topic to write. It was the first time that I heard this good pastor from Australia, I was able to talk to him before at last year’s pastor’s congress but I was not able to hear him preach. Actually, I was having second thoughts of approaching him, I was not sure if it is because of the uncertainty that he still remembers me or if it is because of the certainty of the fact that he might know of a bent that I had on my bow. Either way, I was more than glad when he called me from where he is sitting and complimented my works from where I used to come from. (That is roughly how my life goes from time to time, people would compliment me for being a techie, a deadly smile deep in my heart as pride looms up and one day in a single stroke of a mighty hand of God, things turned upside down).

“There is a solution in you; you are the solution of a problem”. He exclaims from the pulpit. In chat lingo, this is a time to put up the great LOL! But there is no wi-fi signal, my laptop is buried silently in my bag and it was just a reckoning piece of truth coming from a person well-versed in life’s toil. “Should I believe this crap?” says a fearful, weak but tyrant corner of my heart. Believe me, we all had our share of problems engulfing our frail breath but it’s a different thing to be the “cause of a problem”.

My senses come swinging like a pendulum while listening to his short talk, one minute I get encouraged, the next, I get afraid. What do I fear about? Or was I really afraid, or it is just the enemy peeking from a small hole that failure left as a scar of my self-inflicted wound.

Wound. Well healing comes in handy when blood flows from a deep wound, and it is an absolute fact that God is our Great Physician. And yes as I consistently seek His revelation from the trivial things of life in His grace, I manage to make ends meet when it comes to blow after blow of truths that peels all of my confidence revealing only a heartbeat of hope in God.

I was nearing the last pages of Tommy Walker’s book, He Knows My Name and this morning I got a slight pat on my shoulder reading this truth;

“If you think you are the last one in line, then God is rooting for you. God loves a good comeback. He is the God of the second, third and hundredth chances”

Then I remember one encouraging moment yesterday, “God sees you not as a problem but a solution to a problem. Your company will not hire you if you can’t add up as a solution to one of their problems; you will not be in Singapore if you will not be a part of a great solution in this community. Do not run away from problems, these will release a giant in you. Problems are fortunes. Finally, the reward you get in this life are determined by the problems you are willing to solve for others”

Whew!

I think I should leave my fears behind for good. From this day, till the last stroke of my breath I will hear countless words. But I pray for God’s grace to get a strong grip to hold on to great truths about life. To things that would help me the most, to godly advise, and to wise counsel.

Listening is not an easy task for me, that’s what I become for the past years of my life. I always wanted to be the one being listened to. Maybe I should make a quick turn on the next road ahead of me.

“Our little becomes big when God is involved”

God’s love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Behind Bars

Behind Bars
Originally uploaded by Blessed.Wind

I am currently working on one project and in search for a material when I came accross this photo. It was a few weeks before leaving Manila, I joined an outreach team who visited Golden Acres, a place for old people. Most of them left by their families. This shot was taken before we left, I thought I had already seen the saddest images. But here is a section of GA where old people needs to be locked in a prison like cell. For one reason...they tend to be violent with other people. A heart-crushing picture. But not half of how it really felt being actually there. I remember my hands shaking while taking this picture. It took me several tries before i got it right.

Wonderful day, wonderful grace

Pilipinas, Aug 31, 2007

I am joined by my loving family on this special day, it’s almost 9am. I have work to finish but I do not want to miss a blog entry on my own special day. This morning when I woke up, I prayed to God, unsure of the things to thank Him for (because at 31 years old, there are really tons of things to give thanks). I whispered in a soft voice, “Thank you Jesus, 31 years ago You breathe life into a frail body, 31 years ago You assigned a place for me on this earth, 31 years ago, You allowed me to witness the beauty of Your creation, to have a taste of man’s wisdom, to be a recipient of love, to be able to listen to the songs of the birds and to be embraced by the wind that blows wherever I go.

I do not expect anyone to send greetings today the way that most of the people have done for the past 30, 10 and 3 years. This day, in a peculiar way, I am already overwhelmed by the one birthday song that I heard in the darkest corner of my room, it was just loud enough for a lingering soul to hear. It bid loneliness goodbye. My greatest friends once sang a birthday song for me, I took it on video before we shared a simple meal. I thought it was the greatest birthday song in my entire life, but not until their voices are gone, not until I unknowingly threw them away from me. Now as I slowly reach to the last page of this story, I choose not to be sad. Grace abounds as I hear His sweet voice. The table is all set, there were 31 candles on my birthday cake, my favorite pasta is rich in thick sauce, the people around me are excited for me. But I barely see all of these, for me it was as if Jesus was my only visitor, He sat there in front of me. I was expecting the familiar tune,

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Happy birthday to you!

But God has a different tune in His heart; the notes were not that complicated, not too much rest and the staff was not really filled with dots. Yet, I felt very special. I felt loved and I suddenly realized how precious and how vast is the sum of His thoughts to me. For 31 years, He have searched me and knew me, when I sit and rise, perceived my thoughts from afar. He is familiar with all my ways. Yes, this is the greatest greeting that has reached my heart in my special day;

I have created you in my inmost being, I knit you together in your mother’s womb, your frame was not hidden from me when you were made in the secret place, all the days ordained for you where written in My book before one of them came to be.

Wonderful grace, He knows my thoughts from afar and yet He has loved me with an everlasting love. Wonderful grace, He is familiar with all my ways and yet He has loved me with an everlasting love. Wonderful grace, He KNEW me and yet He has loved me with an everlasting love.

I can’t even remember if I have spent even half of my days in truth, righteousness and excellence. I can’t even remember if doing the right thing was ever in my priorities. But I thank God, of all the days that I have lived this life, this day marks the greatest love that I have ever received. The love of Jesus Christ.
Wonderful grace! Wonderful day!

Ricky Sanchez in Singapore

Pilipinas, Aug 31, 2007

It was just an ordinary day for the Tampines home cell, we usually have dinner together at Ate Remy’s place. But last Friday night seemed to be a special day for a couple of reasons, one being the cute and cuddly Slim wants to showcase to us the craft of his “Electric Drill Skill.” Lol! Sorry bro, I have been contemplating on mentioning your name here in my blog for quite some time now and this is your day.

We shared a festive meal courtesy of Agnes and it was really good, especially the marinated chicken. I could still taste it in my mouth almost eight hours have passed (or was it because it did not brush my teeth? Nah! I did brush my teeth, the chicken was just really awesome) Amere, plucks on the six-stringed instrument which she is very passionate about. Abraham and Ethan Mae continued with their usual stunts, playing and kidding around the room while the rest of us are mingling in a semi-social, tongue-in-cheek discussion about life and faith. Ate Chilet was also there, she was introduced as a special guest but there was this person who quietly sits silently on one corner of the room, clad in a collared blue shirt and just gives off a few smile every once in a while.

A few minutes after reaching block 768, it was our visitor whom I looked at first when me and my wife entered the room. I have been to Slim and Mau’s place several times before and as if I knew the house so well, I knew already where to look for our guest.

Prior to this day, the host of the gathering already made mention that we will have a special guest. Apparently, he was a friend to our church community here in Singapore but for me, he was a new acquaintance.

I grew up in church hearing Ricky Sanchez’ name. I even play his cassette tapes, when a member of the music team would sing some of his songs (Minus one CDs before was a rarity). There where only a few of his songs that I could remember, Hesus-Aking Musika, Huwag mo Sanang Isipin. And if I am not mistaken, he was also the one who wrote Ako ay Binago Niya. It was a time where Marty Sampson and Reuben Morgan were not yet around. I remember hearing Darrel Evans as the first one who had loud riffs on gospel songs. But most of the music team would be having their own taste of local gospel music and some of these are Mr. Sanchez’.

Well, as far as I am concern. This person is really famous. But fame is not something that I saw in him last night, he quietly picks up the plate when it was dinner time, he attentively listened to us while the group bolsters each other’s beliefs and also shared a few of his thoughts regarding our topic. He was also very generous to reply to our inquiries. He even rendered a song for us before the home cell started. He shared to us that a few of his songs had made it to one of the famous soap in the Philippines and another song would be recorded by a local heartthrob who goes by the name of Piolo Pascual. As he was singing, I picked up my cell phone because I have no pen with me that time, I jotted down the chorus of his song. It was simple yet another truth of God was revealed to us in a unique way. He told us that he was able to write the song at the restroom of the Hotel Royale, while waiting for our church service to start. This was a part of his song;

Though He is the King of kings and Lord of lords HE LOVES ME,
The Prince of peace, Living Master is a FRIEND who cares for me.

I am not sure if I got the exact lyrics but I never had the chance to personally thank him for these words. It was really inspiring. In its truest sense, even amidst of losing most of our friends, in the uncertainty of who else could love us for who we are and not for what we did. There is something special to these words – “He loves me”. It is something that only helpless babies could feel when embraced and nursed by their loving parents, it is the earliest throne of comfort for them, the most secured position aside from their soft beds.

Indeed, even a small gathering of believers could turn to a close encounter to the One we believed in. Another one of God’s ways in telling us that “I love you my child!” it became personal, the scrumptious meal fed our hunger but the truth of God’s word fed a deeper hunger from within us.

All of us wore a different kind of joy in our hearts as we leave the place, our smiles are apparently unique compared with each other and we took home different stories inside us, this is my version, and the rest will surely bless the people that God has placed beside the circle of friends called – Tampines Home Cell.