"… for the joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10
This verse has been ringing on my head while I was in the bus going to work. For many times I have asked myself, what makes people endure? What keeps people smile in the brink of breaking? What holds them to be strong and just pursue the promised future? And there are so much unspoken mysteries that I can muse about… And then I asked myself… what keep me then fighting the good fight?
I was given a promise since I was a child and just the picture of the fulfillment makes me enthusiastic of the future.
In 2 Samuel 23:9-10, these verses boast about one of the great men of David – Eleazar. When the men retreated, he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and FROZE to the SWORD. Like him, I glued myself to the promise and HIS promise is my SWORD.
"… for the joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10. We have this inner joy that only HE provides – a joy that is not dictated by any circumstances or joy that is not bound by time; it never fades and it never falters. But this verse gave another impression to me this morning, a whisper that says, “It is MY joy to see you enduring. It is MY joy to see you standing over and over. It is MY joy to see you winning battles after battles. It is MY joy to see you believing in Me. It is MY joy to see you walking on the water. MY JOY is your fuel because it’s your joy to please me.”
These very words brought tears to my eyes. Since day one, I’m still that same child who received the promise. Years passed yet still I’m that same child who is glued to HIS promise.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Sometimes
Sometimes, you just want to sit in a corner where no one else could find you
Or just fly to a mountain where not a single person could touch you
Or dance under the rain that no one will dare to stop you
Or maybe just stare the stillness of the sea and feel the breeze where no one is around you
Sometimes, you just want to do something "not you"
Something that will just make you feel good
Something that would make the time freeze for you
Or something that will make all the birds flock around you
Sometimes you feel like playing around the clock
Going fast forward to have a glimpse of the future
Or pressing rewind to hold back some memories
Or pause some pictures on your mind, capturing every detail
Sometimes, you enjoy the attention
But sometimes you long for your space
Sometimes, you pray for the courage to speak
Yet sometimes, you also seek for the strength to remain quiet
Oh sometimes, you don't know what you want
Or clueless how to juggle all things with 2 hands
And sometimes things would trigger you to change your mind
But sometimes, all you have to do... is to do nothing
With many choices in a box, sometimes you dont know which one fits you best
With your joy to paint love around you sometimes left you puzzled which color to pick
Oh sometimes... and all these "sometimes" moments
Still, would lead you ALWAYS to one thing and one place... To a place that never change --- HIS place
(random thoughts within 30 minutes, alone at riverside...)
Or just fly to a mountain where not a single person could touch you
Or dance under the rain that no one will dare to stop you
Or maybe just stare the stillness of the sea and feel the breeze where no one is around you
Sometimes, you just want to do something "not you"
Something that will just make you feel good
Something that would make the time freeze for you
Or something that will make all the birds flock around you
Sometimes you feel like playing around the clock
Going fast forward to have a glimpse of the future
Or pressing rewind to hold back some memories
Or pause some pictures on your mind, capturing every detail
Sometimes, you enjoy the attention
But sometimes you long for your space
Sometimes, you pray for the courage to speak
Yet sometimes, you also seek for the strength to remain quiet
Oh sometimes, you don't know what you want
Or clueless how to juggle all things with 2 hands
And sometimes things would trigger you to change your mind
But sometimes, all you have to do... is to do nothing
With many choices in a box, sometimes you dont know which one fits you best
With your joy to paint love around you sometimes left you puzzled which color to pick
Oh sometimes... and all these "sometimes" moments
Still, would lead you ALWAYS to one thing and one place... To a place that never change --- HIS place
(random thoughts within 30 minutes, alone at riverside...)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
What does your name stands for?
I was browsing the latest magazine of Bloomberg and was amazed when I saw the picture of a very large crowd gathered together to listen to Warren Buffet. The magazine said that there were more than 37,000 people flocked in Omaha, Nebraska, for Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s annual meeting to hear investing wisdom from Warren Buffet and they call it, “The Oracle Speaks”. ORACLE, wow! Just the name of "Warren Buffet" is already a big announcement – they don’t have to put some more accessories, people will surely come. His reputation precedes him!
What about our names? What do they stand for?
In Proverbs 22 verse 1, it says, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold."
We know that we, believers, are God's representatives (2 Cor 5:20) - we carry His name. Everywhere we go, we bring His banner but we don't (always) say that outright. We don't go around and introduce ourselves as, "Hi, I'm God's ambassador...” Rather, we meet people and introduce our name first, "Hi, I'm Odessa." but the question whether how this name will impact their lives depends on how well we will build our name. We have to admit that one of the common languages today, either spoken verbally or not, is "sorry but you have to earn my respect first".
Next to our name is our CURRENT profession or whatever we are into NOW. We don't (normally) say, "I will soon to be a CEO." They themselves will somehow know how our future paths will be depends on how we perform today. My point is, wherever our feet is standing now, it is our call to protect and establish our name. May we never use our current situation as an excuse to be “nobody” but rather; from all these tests we start to flourish our name and be “somebody”. How sweet it is to hear from others when they say, “Odessa – someone who always perserveres and trusts GOD…”
Apostle Paul said it well that we ourselves are the open letters known and read by everyone (2 Corinthians 3:2). We are the open BIBLE! Trust me, our testimonies speak so much louder than what we preach! So the question is, are we a good steward with the talents given to us?
When I was in my elementary years, my dad usually asks me to buy his all-time-favorite newspaper, Philippine Daily Inquirer. One time, I saw this teaser of the said paper on one of the sidelines that says (I can’ remember the exact words but something like), “We’re sold out because we don’t sell out.” I didn’t understand it then but I carried that line until now. At least during the early years, Philippine Daily Inquirer is one of the most reputable newspapers if it’s not the best. They don’t go around and advertise themselves but the readers themselves look for it. On the same manner, we don’t have to brag around that we're CHRISTians but people will look and follow us depends on how we have established our names.
As a final note, our company is now working on a new product (quarterly report) that we will sell. My boss said, we will give out samples but just the overview. He said, “The trick is slicing it so that people see the icing, but don’t see how the cake is baked." Let me tweak a bit and apply in our Christian lives, "we let the people see the icing or taste the cake. Soon, they want to know who baked it and how it was perfectly done."
What about our names? What do they stand for?
In Proverbs 22 verse 1, it says, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold."
We know that we, believers, are God's representatives (2 Cor 5:20) - we carry His name. Everywhere we go, we bring His banner but we don't (always) say that outright. We don't go around and introduce ourselves as, "Hi, I'm God's ambassador...” Rather, we meet people and introduce our name first, "Hi, I'm Odessa." but the question whether how this name will impact their lives depends on how well we will build our name. We have to admit that one of the common languages today, either spoken verbally or not, is "sorry but you have to earn my respect first".
Next to our name is our CURRENT profession or whatever we are into NOW. We don't (normally) say, "I will soon to be a CEO." They themselves will somehow know how our future paths will be depends on how we perform today. My point is, wherever our feet is standing now, it is our call to protect and establish our name. May we never use our current situation as an excuse to be “nobody” but rather; from all these tests we start to flourish our name and be “somebody”. How sweet it is to hear from others when they say, “Odessa – someone who always perserveres and trusts GOD…”
Apostle Paul said it well that we ourselves are the open letters known and read by everyone (2 Corinthians 3:2). We are the open BIBLE! Trust me, our testimonies speak so much louder than what we preach! So the question is, are we a good steward with the talents given to us?
When I was in my elementary years, my dad usually asks me to buy his all-time-favorite newspaper, Philippine Daily Inquirer. One time, I saw this teaser of the said paper on one of the sidelines that says (I can’ remember the exact words but something like), “We’re sold out because we don’t sell out.” I didn’t understand it then but I carried that line until now. At least during the early years, Philippine Daily Inquirer is one of the most reputable newspapers if it’s not the best. They don’t go around and advertise themselves but the readers themselves look for it. On the same manner, we don’t have to brag around that we're CHRISTians but people will look and follow us depends on how we have established our names.
As a final note, our company is now working on a new product (quarterly report) that we will sell. My boss said, we will give out samples but just the overview. He said, “The trick is slicing it so that people see the icing, but don’t see how the cake is baked." Let me tweak a bit and apply in our Christian lives, "we let the people see the icing or taste the cake. Soon, they want to know who baked it and how it was perfectly done."
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Capturing my thoughts: Collection of my recent Facebook statuses
I have thought most of them while on the bus going to work and they paint the picture of my thoughts on those said days *wink*
March 2
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney. And here's my version, it's kind of boring to do the possible, haha! Yattir spirit!
March 18
I am soooo me and you are sooo you, haha! See, we are just different in many ways but it's our differences that make our lives so lively and colorful - and that make us dependent with each other *wink*
March 25
Whilst it's well acknowledged that many things would have to undergo a very loooong process, there are just also certain things that can change in just a blink of an eye...
April 5
When you are left with no reason to fight for them, make HIM the reason why... when you are left with no reason to fight for them, make HIM the reason why... After all, that should be the starting point...After all, that should be the starting point...
April 8
I am so glad that I am already dead, haha! Those who have ears let them hear... *wink*
April 15
It's never about who's the best among ourselves but living out the best in each one of us. We are all like stars meant to shine and it's never about outshining one another but shining all together. Enjoy shining my co-stars for the glory of the ONE who enabled us to shine!
April 19
Most of the times, the heart can feel what the eyes can't see... And the ears also do hear what the heart ignores to feel... :)
April 21
Genuine appreciation never fails to encourage someone. Your words don’t even cost a penny so why not be generous to express them? You just never know how they can empower someone's day. Cheers!
April 23
There are times, our beliefs are bound to be questioned and if we only have our doctrines/theology as a back-up, we might end up questioning our own beliefs. BUT our personal encounters with HIM nullify all these venomous doubts - and that's how powerful EXPERIENCES are! Have a blessed morning and may we all have great encounters with HIM today. :-)
April 27
It takes so much courage to speak up but it also does take so much "will" to remain quiet when the circumstance require you to... :)
March 2
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney. And here's my version, it's kind of boring to do the possible, haha! Yattir spirit!
March 18
I am soooo me and you are sooo you, haha! See, we are just different in many ways but it's our differences that make our lives so lively and colorful - and that make us dependent with each other *wink*
March 25
Whilst it's well acknowledged that many things would have to undergo a very loooong process, there are just also certain things that can change in just a blink of an eye...
April 5
When you are left with no reason to fight for them, make HIM the reason why... when you are left with no reason to fight for them, make HIM the reason why... After all, that should be the starting point...After all, that should be the starting point...
April 8
I am so glad that I am already dead, haha! Those who have ears let them hear... *wink*
April 15
It's never about who's the best among ourselves but living out the best in each one of us. We are all like stars meant to shine and it's never about outshining one another but shining all together. Enjoy shining my co-stars for the glory of the ONE who enabled us to shine!
April 19
Most of the times, the heart can feel what the eyes can't see... And the ears also do hear what the heart ignores to feel... :)
April 21
Genuine appreciation never fails to encourage someone. Your words don’t even cost a penny so why not be generous to express them? You just never know how they can empower someone's day. Cheers!
April 23
There are times, our beliefs are bound to be questioned and if we only have our doctrines/theology as a back-up, we might end up questioning our own beliefs. BUT our personal encounters with HIM nullify all these venomous doubts - and that's how powerful EXPERIENCES are! Have a blessed morning and may we all have great encounters with HIM today. :-)
April 27
It takes so much courage to speak up but it also does take so much "will" to remain quiet when the circumstance require you to... :)
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