Turning Thirty

I turned THIRTY over the week-end! I testify of God's marvelous work. 3 decades and counting!!! I wrote a piece about it titled Turning Thirty: Brewed, Brushed, Bolder...and Older which you can read here.

@ 10. It isnt clear but i had Hilarious Hair! Seriously!

@20. With college friends on a trip.

Waking up to 30! The real me...sans trouble!

UPDATES: Burkina Faso is getting near! My papers are starting to move. I praise God for how He orchestrates everything. More news when the DATES are stamped! :D Whew!! Exciting!

God Shapes Our Memories: Physical Reminders (Part 2)

God commanded Joshua to tell the officers of each tribe, 12 of them to take one stone each from the bedrock of Jordan to take with them. In verse 5-7  it says: 

“Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites,  to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’  tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

The stones are for them to NOT forget God’s faithfulness. More than that, it is also for the UNBORN generations to also KNOW of such faithfulness.

Stones. Memorials. People build mausoleums. Just look at the Taj Majal…one of the greatest wonders of this world. A memorial of love.

We keep memorials, medals, ribbons I for one, kept the newspaper page on which a special friend’s name was published. I keep journals that bear the inscription of God’s faithfulness in my life. Today, I spent time with my Aunt and she showed me a page from her journal that she wrote when she first met her husband. They will be celebrating their 25^th wedding anniversary by the end of the month. My father has been keeping our hospital bracelet when we were born. Memorials tell stories.

God was telling the Israelites to make physical reminders.

In acts2: 42 , the first Christians also took hold of a memorial, the reminder that Jesus had left for us: the breaking of the bread. 

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

That is why we approach the table with reverence because it is a MEMORIAL of Jesus’ work on the cross.

Reading this verse affirmed to me the importance of going to church. Of course, I can worship God wherever I am. But here, the early believers had to come together to ‘remind’ themselves of Jesus. They chose to ‘break bread’ together in fellowship because that breaking of bread reminds them of Jesus and what He did on the cross. That was the worship service they had back then.

So today, let us not neglect coming to church. No, not just on Lord’s Supper Sunday. Coming together as a body of Christ  is an act that serves as memorial stone, the reminder that Jesus left us, to remind us that HE DIED FOR OUR SINS.

Jesus wanted us to keep physical reminders.

^{Paul wrote in Acts 17:24} 

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.  From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.  God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’

God chose our color, our race, our sexuality, where were going to live, which family to be born in that He is so imbedded in our DNA. The inscription of God is carved in our DNA.

Books are now written on the intricate and complex study of this DNA that is in each of us. Maggie Scarf, a psychologist who wrote a book called Lies, Secrets and Betrayals, explores the idea that our body has a unique memory storage system than stores up memories of may it be joy, fear or secrets.

Ravi thinks its makes sense because how then do you explain that when you're afraid (take for example..of a dog) one side of your brain reacts and the emotions are too strong and then the other side of the brain looses its blood that you cannot have speech.. how then does that single emotional incident get imbedded in you that the next time you see a dog, you react the same way? It is stored in your DNA.

It also makes sense to me now, when, you have certain preferences, they will say: "Oh, you're really like your mom". And even children who are separated from parents since birth find out after finding each other that there are so many similarities in their preferences. Memories and preferences are are imbedded in the DNA.

If this DNA is what is passed on by parents to children…does it make sense then why the BIBLE calls us sinners though sin only started with one man?

The structure of our DNA itself calls for a need to be BORN AGAIN.

God, in his infinite wisdom has imbedded in us a physical reminder of who He is, what He has done for us and what we need to do with it.

Here are some of the few things that remind me of God's faithfulness in my life:

My youngest sister painted this when she was 9. This is supposed to be a portrait of us.

This was my school ID when was in 5th grade. 

My sister, Jem, made this card for me when she was 10, i guess.

God Shapes Our Memories (Part 1)

Memories are part of God’s Divine plan. Do you believe that? And if memories are part of God’s plan…then to REMEMBER is not an option, it is a must.

You may disagree and say that some memories are better forgotten because they are too painful for us to remember. I will ask you this: If God had not included in the BIBLE the most painful act that had happened in History.. that of His own, blameless son dying on the cross for ours sins, then the BIBLE becomes just another ordinary book, and what would happen to us, ordinary people?

Yes, sometimes we choose to forget…but sometimes, we also JUST forget.

I know you experienced doing something and while you’re at it you remembered you need to get something from your room. So you went back to get that something… then, while you’re there, you completely forget what it was that you were going to get. So what do you do? You try to pace back and forth trying to remember what that thing was.

Yes, we can blame old age for memory loss but.. more often than not, it is our lack of discipline to remember things that make us forget. Watch this narration of Joshua 4.

In the story, God was building Israel’s memory. The crossing of the Jordan was the LANDMARK MEMORY of the Israelites' crossing from one leadership to another; from wilderness to the promised land. And God… wanted them to NOT FORGET IT.

And how did God make sure they don’t forget it?

1. God established and preserved leaders

In Joshua 1, God just commanded Joshua to lead the Israelites after Moses had died. Not only that but God made a clear command in verse 8:

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God’s instructions were clear: I am putting you on post so  stick to the book. God was brewing victories for ISRAEL but the key player here was Joshua. His obedience to the Law greatly affected the memories that God had in store for the whole nation.

In our history as a Filipino people, we see how tour nation is shaped by the kind of leader we had. We’ve seen good leaders and the worst of their kind too. In school, we are told to NOT FORGET the more than 300 years of oppression by the Spaniards. 

In January our BLESS kids had a fieldtrip. We brought them to the city park, and we had our picture taken in front of Jose Rizal’s statue where he was portrayed as being held by a woman, whom we all refer to as Inang Bayan. It was hard to explain to the kids why a man who appears to be lame and dying is actually one of the most important men of our country. And he became so because HE STOOD UP among the crowd and  lead us out of oppression. And you know what, he was one who understood and acknowledge the power and the Supreme authority of God.

In a letter he wrote to Pastells while exiled in Dapitan, he wrote: We are entirely in accord in admitting the existence of God. How can I doubt his when I am convinced of mine… the God that I foreknow is far more grand, far more good: What books can better reveal to us the goodness of God, his love, his providence, his eternity, his glory, his wisdom? 'The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork'."

So today, we sing our own national anthem, we fly our own flag, we call Philippines our own country, we do not fear for our children’s future knowing that freedom is theirs to pursue their dreams in this land we now claim our own…and it all started with a man who submitted himself under the glory of God.

God has assigned authority over us. Our government officials are our authorities. Our bosses are our authorities. Our parents are our authorities. Our pastors are our authorities. Remember, God shapes our memories through them. It is then our responsibility to always, always, raise them up in our prayers to the Lord.

*Reflections on Ravi Zacharias' sermon "God and Remembrance"

Around Town

Last week, we took the kids on a ‘quick’ trip around the city. We brought them to the city hall, the city park, the mini zoo in my father’s school, the children’s playground and Jollibee!

Here are some of the photos :)

Enjoying Spaghetti and a burger at Jollibee. Something special for them.

Hugging Jollibee ;)

We love Animals :)

This is a proof of growth. I used to 'not like' animals. Now, I'm talking about them to kids :D

Daniel's lions? hehehe!

BARNEY... the one in brown? !!

Speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil

at the city hall with Gladys

Just in time for the city Festival.

Guaranteed safe TRIKE ride ;) 

That's why I wear a smile :D

Praise God for the wonderful time!!!!

My Poems and My Nose

How did January fly by and I didn't notice it? Whew!! Thanks to Jaycee, who buzzed me and informed i just GOT A BLOG AWARD from her, I paused to doodle something tap my keyboard for some pieces. I love Jaycee, you must go follow her blog.

I put my 'Acceptance Speech' on my other blog. I was hesitant at first to let out into open my poetry blog (since I parked VenusSpeaks) because I still want to keep a portion of me to myself...but i figured it is silly. People already know me. So, here, welcome to my poetry blog:

A November Miracle

Everyday, on my way to the center, I pass by two of the smelliest places in our small city. (1) the dumpsite, where all the garbage from everyone in the city is deposited laid-out in the open to dry and (2) the Ugahan or the dried fish ‘factories’ where tons of fish are (you guessed it) also laid-out in the open to dry. These two places are not so far apart that it seems like the aroma you get when you drive by is one distinct smell on its own.

The UGAHAN 

You really have to get here to know what I mean.

I already outgrew my impulse to cover my nose when I pass by these places. My nose automatically shuts off. My daily travels have immunized me that it no longer bothers me…well, except on rainy days.

Again, you really have to get here to know what I mean.

And then I’m reminded of that one cold night in an animal shed where bleating and mooing were silenced by a baby’s cry. I am reminded that this baby was welcomed not by the clean smell of sanitation but by an interesting mix of animal dung, hay and whatnot. I am reminded that this was no ordinary baby – He was the son of THE KING. Most of all, I am reminded that He didn’t have to be born like this, but he chose to.

I am having post-Christmas thoughts of the manger and the man who was born there. I am having repentant thoughts of how easily I can rant about things that cause me discomfort. I am having thoughts of how this world has lured me into thinking that comfort is a right not a privilege. I am having thoughts of how I padded myself with things and fleeting endeavours to be at par with the world’s standard of comfort. And my mind thinks back again of that Man who was born in the manger.

This man...

Who took up our pain and bore our suffering, 

Who was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities

This man, Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

This man who went through all these yet he did not open his mouth; was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 

And this same man who said “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

  

I close my mouth, and forget about what goes through my nose. :)

BLESS Updates: Our First One and a half Months

The dawning of each year is a reminder of the chances we are given to live life better than how we did the year before. I believe the way to live a better life is to live beyond yourself. After all, the great commandment is about two selfless things: Love God above all, Love your neighbour as yourself.

Our BLESS Center requires a lot of selflessness to operate. We have been blessed by partners who not only support us financially but more than anything, uphold us in prayers.

Learning the Alphabet Sounds

We started operating last November 29, 2010 and 9 kids are presently under the program. It is amazing to watch God work in the lives of these kids everyday. Not only do we see changes in their intellectual lives but we see changes in their behaviour as they come to know more about Jesus everyday. We witness how they learned the meaning of words such as Please, Thank You, Wait and God Bless you.

We had our Christmas party on December 22. The kids had so much fun with the games, the singing and the eating. They also received gifts from special people. Our food were also graciously provided by some of the BLESS friends. Some young adults from the church volunteered to be our guests-slash-nannies for the day.

Getting ready for the game

The kids went home that day with a smile stuck to their faces. They had a wrapped gift on one hand, an apple and an orange on another and a cupcake on…well, two hands were not enough. It was awesome to see how the kids were blessed. We all got an extra hug from them before we said goodbye.

We had classes during the Christmas break. The kids didn’t have anything to do during the break so we asked permission from their parents if we could have them at the center instead. The parents, of course, gladly agreed.

We are a happy lot, aren't we?

Our greatest challenge right now is getting the parents show up at meetings. They know they have agreed on it but most times, only a few attend, even after constant reminders. Please help us pray that God would teach us how to reach out to them so that they too can experience the blessing that their kids are experiencing right now.

Everyday, Gladys (my assistant) and I give each of the kids a big hug before they go home. Just recently, one of the kids blurted out “Palangga ta ka bala Ma’am” (which means “I love you, Ma’am.”) on his own. Then the rest of the kids started saying it. We didn’t teach them to say it. They just did it on their own. I guess, in the eyes of these kids, love has already took on shape.

All of us who are in this ministry represent Jesus Christ to the kids. Thank you so much for your love, your support and your prayers. We are serving a Big and Loving God. The kids can tell.

Peace, and the Sound of the Sea

The sound of the sea was the first sound I heard today, the first of 2011.

We live about 150 meters from the shoreline. I grew up liking the sea but I never polished my swimming strokes. I thought, I naturally float so why bother. *insertlaugh*

Our community is interesting. We pay a premium for the land our house stands on so technically, we are not squatters. BUT, all around us, its almost like that. Houses are all over you couldn’t sketch a decent map. Streets are not named (which usually causes delays when waiting for some delivery) Some houses are wall-to-wall close, open sewer, animal dung sunbathe on the pavement. It’s a melting pot of people from different walks of life, with different cultures. Some houses have tall fences and iron gates with elaborate details. Some don’t have fences. People spend more time talking on the nameless streets than inside their houses. It has been known too as the refuge of wanted criminals. It cannot be described as anything else but VILLA BARBAS.

On normal days, we would hear the neighbor’s TV, radio and their amplified blabber. It is also ordinary to hear motor engines, hammer sounds and well, occasionally, gunshots ( as with the case of our neighbour committing suicide).  But today, it was not a normal day. The moment I was conscious, I ONLY heard the humming of the sea.Yes, ONLY the humming of the sea.

I breathed a prayer of thanksgiving. It is not everyday that it gets to be this silent.

Silence is golden. It doesn’t imply peace. But I believe silence highlights the presence or the absence of it.And today, in that solitary moment, I am glad I found PEACE:

I don’t have a bank account that would last me for the next ten years, and I’m fine with that.

I don’t have a job that would guarantee that I’d get a paycheck twice a month, and I’m fine with that.

I don’t have a car nor the mileage that would take me places, and I’m fine with that.

I don’t have a jaw-dropping resume that I could flash at anyone to get a job, and I’m fine with that.

And here’s why.

I knew what it was like to have money (that would make me last for about a few years.hehehe)  but it didn’t make me feel worry-free.

I knew what it was like to get paychecks every 15 days but it did not give me any guarantee of the next bite on my plate.

I knew what it was like to go places (no, I don’t know yet how it feels to drive my own car. Hehe!) but it only made me feel like a stranger.

I knew what it was like to get a fine job without having the need to apply for it, but it did not make me feel like I was at my best.

Peace is knowing that Someone feeds you, even if He has to send it through a raven.

Peace is knowing that Someone has already given you what you need, even if its not exactly what you want.

Peace is knowing that Someone will bring you to the right destination, even if you don’t see where you are headed.

Peace is knowing that Someone wants you to DO what He had created you to for, even if it means quitting what you think you are best at.

Peace is knowing that Someone has a perfect plan for everything, even if means ruining yours.

In 2010, there were days when ‘ravens’ fed me.  I didn’t get the ‘things’ I wanted. I boarded buses and planes to some unheard places. I lessened my ‘stage’ time and ‘parked my pen’ for some needful service. I saw precious people walk away. I watched my dreams dissolve into thin air.

But, unlike the chaos of my environment that has now gone back to normal as I write, the chaos of 2010 is never to return. Peace is knowing that 2010 didn’t go well as I wanted it, BUT being fine with it.

I have a fascination with the sea. Some say the sea divides the islands. As I listened to it hum today, I’m reminded of what I believe about the sea: It connects them.

There are days I want the sea water to turn to glass so people don’t have to live very far apart. But, in Genesis, God said 

“Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.”

 And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.” 


So, I'm totally fine with that. :D

May you all have a PEACEFUL 2011!!!!