Deep longing. Deeper assurance.

After decades has passed...


I'm still on the road believing
To a promise worth fighting.

Finish line is still out of sight
But hope keeps me strong in the fight.

Agony is surely waving
But HIS love is far more convincing.

The more I get my knees to the ground;
The more I see how HIS grace abounds.

Well, who says there's a deadline in faith anyway?
Faith is just believing all the way.

Ohh yes, after decades has passed
All I know is, His goodness is steadfast.

When Small Means BIG

I think many “strong” believers "fail" more on the little things than the big things. We can hear a louder “yes” or “no” when we will be tested on giving up our “big dreams”, “big desires” and responding to “big callings” but we tend to miss listening to the whispers of giving up our rights, responding righteously when no one sees, thinking admirably especially at the middle of emotional tortures. How funny it is when we can say YES on an instant to BIG stuffs but make excuses on how we are behaving on small things?
If there’s a camera everywhere, will you respond differently? If there’s a megaphone on your mind, are your thoughts worth echoing? I was walking one evening when I saw this advertisement that says, “Transparency is beautiful when you have nothing to hide.” Oh how indeed so true and these “hidden” things are actually what define us the most.
These small things shape us as much as the big things. Even Jesus highlighted this, "Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with very little is also dishonest with a lot." Luke 16:10, NASB

Small responses mean BIG especially when your character is on the line! So yes, “CHARACTER” is the word and is best displayed when we have all the excuses to be rude, impatient, mean and all…
“On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4, NIV

Yielded Heart

When I was still studying, I used to tell to myself, "There's no such thing as a surprise quiz to those who are always ready". Now I have come to realize that in our Christian journey, there's no such thing as a "surprise test" to those who have that right kind of heart.


I have been contemplating these past few days on how is it to really live a life in a place of total yieldedness... and this lead me back to the basic - the state of heart. Many times we tend to make all our trials as our excuse on why we responded "that" way but isn't that our actions are just a mirror of what’s inside of us? Matthew 12:25 says, "a good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him". No matter how utterly surprising things would come, a yielded heart would always exude the true qualities of it.

These are the priceless teachings I got from one of my great heroes, Job. It never fails to inspire me on how he responded to the overwhelming "surprise tests" he had. Just right after everything was taken away from him in one instant, he humbled himself and said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:20)
His response was more than notable, it was exceedingly commendable! Did it come as a surprise? Absolutely yes! But his outright response reflected the state of his heart. Talking about yielded heart? Job displayed it perfectly.
To conclude, only thru our yielding to GOD that we will experience the fullness of life. Job yielded and in his yielding, he had that life everyone would want - "full life" (Job 42:17).

It is POSSIBLE!

It is possible to stay strong even if all the people are displaying their weaknesses.


It is possible to be so hopeful even if all that surround you are hopeless.

It is possible to keep calm when everyone else is in panic.

It is possible to believe when they are all doubting.

It is possible to forgive when it's "valid" not to.

It is possible to extend grace even if your pride says no.

It is possible to stand again even if you were wounded countless times.

It is possible not to say hurtful words even if the situation prompts you so.

It is possible to advance even if everyone else retreated.

It is possible to bless even if all others are cursing.

It is possible to remain faithful, even if they all forgot.

It is possible to keep on loving even if you feel it's not being returned.
It is possible to respond rightly even if you were offended.
It is possible to contend in faith even if they all think it's ridiculous.
It is possible to keep on fighting even if it has already caused you so much pain.
It is possible to walk on water even if you were the only one left daring it.
And definitely...
It is possible to pursue Christlikeness, even if the scenario tempts you otherwise.


It is possible!!! The answer only rest on the choice that you will make - it will spell the BIG DIFFERENCE!


(Today's random thoughts inspired from Ptr Les' preaching)

IRONIES

Isn’t amazing that GOD is asking us to think not the way the world thinks? Here are some life chunks that the Lord taught me and still teaching me:

1. Sometimes, the CLOSER you get, the FARTHER you will become. Does familiarity ring a bell to you?

2. The HIGHEST wisdom that you need is mostly found at your LOWEST point, at least true to my experience!

3. It is never about your GREAT achievements but the LITTLE things that you do that will put you at the right spot.

4. It is not about what you do when the SPOTLIGHT is on you but what you become when the party is OVER that will define you.

5. When YOU need refreshment, try refreshing OTHERS and you will be refreshed! Oh well, it's actually in Proverbs 11:25, NIV!

6. It is not when you RECEIVE that you will gain the most but it is when you GIVE.

7. MATURITY begins when you accept that you are still IMMATURE.

8. The more you COUNT it, the more you will FALL short.

9. Knowing the value of true REST and granting yourself one, will keep you GOING.

10. You are ready to HAVE it when you are ready to LOSE it. (This talks about yieldedness to HIM, surrendering everything to HIM, trusting HIM come what may.)

11. The "pride" that you could BEST offer HIM is when you have not taken any pride with the things you have offered.

12. It is not about how people acknowledge you but how you acknowledge that it's not about acknowledgement at all.

13. The more you SURRENDER to HIS ways, the more you will experience VICTORY.

14. Influencing lives talks more about what you can LEAVE and not what you can TAKE.

15. Sometimes knowing it all does NOT actually mean you know it ALL.

All glory belongs to YOU GOD. You must increase so I would decrease (John 3:30)...

Sweet lessons...

The LORD concluded my birthday celebration with these lessons in life:

1. You don’t need a “secret formula” to influence lives… Just be the woman (or man) GOD wants you to be- just the way HE designed you and there goes the “formula”. Remember, HIS designs, every inch of HIS idea about you is the perfect blueprint and it covers everything!

2. A willing heart attracts GOD! Don’t resist HIS move. Don’t fight HIS grip. There is nothing more edifying than a heart that is just so willing to trust and obey HIS move. Abide in HIS words. Trust HIS silence. Listen to HIS heartbeat. Pursue HIS dreams. Remember, you can never outgive, outlove and outdo HIM; HE always give you back in hundred folds!

Beyond logic...

When Jesus multiplied the fish and loaves, He definitely didn't use logic. When He raised the dead, He didn't support it with logic. When HE caused the lame to walk, HE didn’t explain it with logic. When all other miracles happened from Old to New Testament, GOD never presented logic. HIS goodness is just simply beyond our comprehensions and logic will fall short to explain even just a single miracle.

So why use logic when faced with seemingly unreasonable challenges after challenges? Logic will not take us any farther; we will just find ourselves lost in trying to understand all things. That’s why the psalmist said, "Be still and know that HE is GOD. (Psalm 46:10)" We were never asked to “understand GOD” and in fact, Ecclesiastes 11:5 says, “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”

If truth be told, GOD is inviting us to walk the path of miracles and beyond logic - to dream bigger than ourselves and to dare wilder than what we have been seeing. Excuses are no longer “excuse”. Jesus even guaranteed us that greater things shall we do (John 14:12). Where’s the logic in there? A resounding NONE! We just have to see it for ourselves!

We were created beyond logic to begin with. And the purposes and potentials implanted within us are as well beyond logic. For this reason, we were posed to “live by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7).

The Yardstick

The more you measure it, the more it will come fall short... but the more you pour it out, the more it will just overflow...

These phrases have been just ringing on my head and echoing in my heart since this morning. You just got to give love, release hope, bring joy, and carry encouragement relentlessly without measuring the extent of what you have already given or counting what you have already received in return. You just got to let that love go!When will we know if we have already given enough? I guess penning answers to that question is like limiting what love can actually do. Can we really measure love? Taking the illustration of a candle – will the candle stop burning after it will provide you light for a moment? I doubt that because giving is not just merely responding for a moment. It’s not just answering to someone’s needs. It’s just simply giving because it's the nature of the giver. I have come to realize that the more you withhold it, the more you keep yourself away from shining that glory GOD has implanted within you because the glory of someone is being revealed in the giving mode – in the line of duty, in the light of service. When was the glory of the Father’s love perfectly shown? When HE gave HIS only SON. And when was the glory of HIS son JESUS immensely demonstrated? When HE gave HIS life for us.

So what’s the yardstick of giving? In Phil 4:19 it says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” God gives according to what HE can, what HE has and what HE will. This verse perfectly expresses that in giving the yardstick is not the receiver, but the giver himself.

The Heart of the Matter

"As the water reflects the man's face, so the man's heart reflects the man." Prov 27:19

It always and always boils down to the state of our hearts. It's never about the amount of revelations we have received nor the multitudes we have discipled nor the recognitions we have taken nor the positions we have attained... NO, not even the number of days we have been serving God because the heart of the matter is, OUR HEARTS. Putting on the table plainly, in the kingdom of God, our hearts will matter the most because "God looks at the heart" (1 Sam 16:7).

The greatest test of TRUST, OBEDIENCE and HONOR would be at its highest level when it comes to the matter of the heart and that's why the scripture says to "guard our hearts with all diligence (Prov 4:23)." And when you will be tested to the core, your response will not be based on how much you have influenced the people nor how much great things you have accomplished but rather, on how much all “these things” have transformed your heart during the process. Be it on the offensive or defensive side, leading or the one being led to, if your response stinks, it simply means your heart stinks because "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matt 12:34)."

So what does the man after God's own heart has to say? David taught me that my heart is my compass.

As a follower, be like David. He perfectly showed me to honor the leaders or superiors at all time - not because of their positions but because there must be some good reasons why God put us under their care. David taught me the value of true honor - even when King Saul was seeking to kill his life, he remained honoring Saul and amazingly still considered as "anointed one of God" (1 Sam 24). How could he still take Saul as anointed man of God in the midst of Saul’s evil works? It's his heart - an honoring heart.

When leading, be like David. When his son Absalom plotted to take his throne, he kept his humble heart (2 Sam 15). David displayed here that his heart was steadfast.

When you are hurting and the promise doesn't seem coming, be like David. When he was hiding in a cave, he turned his cave into a palace - he always knew his identity. He turned his pains into songs and hymns, his anguish into praise and worship. Looking for someone to look up to? David is my professor when it comes to keeping a fixed heart. Besides, who were not hurt anyway? At some points in our lives, we were hurt and have hurt others, we were offended and have offended others but what would separate us from the crowd is our response -- and that would count the most.

David's journey gave me a remarkable demonstration that to be a woman after God's own heart, my inner strength should depend on God's very nature and that even at moments my mind wouldn't understand, my heart would keep on trusting the intentions of His heart. And so I conclude that the impact of the revelations I have been receiving will only really matter if my heart is being transformed to reflect His heart.

Humility before faith...

For many of us, faith is not the issue. We're up to challenge. We don’t rest on our laurels. We can run towards the piercing arrows unshaken and stand in a fiery furnace immovable. We can unscramble the hidden message. We can see the invisible in the midst of the cloudy skies. We can walk on the water. We can smile and even rally the people to victory while keeping our head above the water.

Yet, the right kind of heart is still the compass in our Christian journey. Humility before faith; meekness before honor. This is one of the significant marks of a true disciple.

Matthew 15:25-28: But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” And Jesus answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

If we will read the verses above just scratching the surface, "faith" is most likely the highlight. But I believe before the Canaanite woman’s “great faith”, we must give her the credit of having the right kind of heart. If you were the woman and you were so in need or in pain or in your most desperate moment but instead of Jesus giving you the perfect treatment that you were expecting, Jesus would turn to you and say, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” How would you feel that instead of comfort, Jesus will throw you a mean answer and compare you to a dog? In this scenario, I believe many would walk away but the woman didn’t. She didn’t allow those words to offend her. She didn’t argue. She didn’t let her pride take the upper hand. Instead, she remained and with the lowliness of her heart, she accepted her position before Jesus. She didn’t demand for a big bite of bread but instead, she put so much weight on what the little crumbs can do to her. Thus, before her faith was seen, her heart was first put to test.

The way up is the way down. This is just one of the many ironies in the Bible that many people would not easily understand but this is one of the key yardsticks to gauge the level of our maturity. It is how we respond when we are offended. It is how we remain when we are in pain. So yes still, above our great performances and all our accomplishments – even the countless fruits that we can bring to the Kingdom, the fact remains, the right kind of hearts will set the line between a disciple and not… Without this right kind of heart, our faith will surely crumble.

“O God, let the secrets of my heart be uncovered, and let my wandering thoughts be tested” Psalm 139:23, Basic in Bible English

TRUST: A Walk of a Still Heart

Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

God has always been intentional. HE does things to drive a point, hit the bull's eye, strike for a purpose. The good news is, all HIS intentions are pure and impeccable, even when things don't seem to make sense. He is not asking for our understanding, He is asking for a heart who is fully surrendered to Him, with unwavering trust, immovable faith, and a steadfast love no matter what the cost.

I believe God inspired Paul to write Galatians 6:9 to validate that at some points, we will reach our lowest weariness or feel like losing our heart in the process. He wrote to acknowlede that at certain times, we will feel our nothingness and things are just so much hard to bear. He recognized that we have our own limitations. Yet, it is also a message to ascertain us that GOD knows, God feels and the best part is, God rewards.

Do not lose heart to be a blessing. Our weak feet may falter but His grace is steady. Walk in His grace and just take another step... and another step.. and another step... In our limitations we would know that God is unlimited, boundless and eternal.

Be still even when you have all the reasons to faint. Be still even when all things are choking you. Be still even at the brink of your breaking. Be still. Be still. Be still. And again, be still. Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God..."

AGAPE: The Outburst of My Heart

My AGAPE, My WORLD

When all the world makes all the noises

And all that surrounds me suppress me

You carry me to Your arms and Your Agape would be my world


My AGAPE, My BREATH

When the water rage and the boat shakes

And when all that's within me is gasping for air

You secure me to a quiet place and Your agape would be my breath

My AGAPE, My FUEL

When all I can hold is nothing

And find myself standing alone

You run towards me and swing me around

And You would always whisper that Your agape is my fuel


My AGAPE, My COMFORT

When all my nerves feel all the pressures

And all the stress rush through all my veins

You never fail to embrace me and Your agape is my comfort


My AGAPE, My STRENGTH

When my knees and all my bones weaken

And my feet is about to lose its balance

You would always there to catch me and Your Agape rekindles my strength


My AGAPE, My ANSWER

When exaggeration becomes my reality

And all the most challenging tricks would come to play

I just close my eyes… and there I would feel Your Agape becoming my answer


My AGAPE, My FRIEND

When no one can decipher what's on my mind

Nor feel what fills my heart

You would always know what to do and Your agape would be my friend


My AGAPE, My EVERYTHING

And when I am caught up with overwhelming blessings

You smile and turn my face towards You

And that above anything else, Your Agape is my EVERYTHING

Looking from the Lens of Forgiveness

One of the most plausible substances of a believer is their power to forgive but not because they are superheroes but because they themselves have tasted the depth of His forgiveness. But if we lay it down on the table, forgiveness is so hard to spell. It talks about our rights, our pride, our values. It asks you to consider all perspectives. It calls you to weigh things. It is something you can't demand to someone and on the same manner, they can't demand from you. It involves the whole of you.


ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS

Asking for forgiveness is more than being sorry to your actions and more than admitting your fault. I say, it's putting value to the person - to your relationship, to his/her feelings, to him/her as a person. We may have different perspective on the matter but we have to remember that emotions are valid and thus, asking for forgiveness is going beyond our logic.



I believe that the call to ask for forgiveness is not dependent on the consequences it had to make on the person. You don't have to wait for the person to look sorry before you say sorry. Hence, when pride takes the upper hand, remember that we are made from love, for love, and to love.




RELEASING FORGIVENESS

Releasing forgiveness is not a walk in the park because the pain almost always cloud us. But if we will just honestly evaluate it, what good thing can unforgiveness do to us? Even if I ponder it a thousand times, I guess I will never get an answer.



Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34



Looking at Jesus' standard, releasing forgiveness is looking from where the person is coming from (for they do not know what they are doing). Scrutinizing deeper, Jesus released forgiveness to the people who don't even have any intention to say sorry, not even a single hint of a changed heart. Needless to say, we don't get the green light from them. We don't wait for the person to apologize even before we extend forgiveness because actually, releasing them is freeing ourselves as well.

As a final note, here's Gary V's tweet for us to ponder: ‎"One thing that blows my mind away is when Jesus, even while being nailed 2 the cross said "God forgive them 4 they know not what they do"......He said this for a people who only had one thing in mind and that was to kill Him. This is the kind of love this God of ours has for us."

The STRONG Ones

Many people are amazed on how these “strong” people can do it. For me, one thing that I really learned is that everything just really depends on how we see things, really. Admittedly, I’ve wanted to peek what the future lies so I would be able to appreciate every detail of pain and get at least a little concrete assurance of the trail I’m travelling but then again, where would “faith” comes in?

Through many years of my Christian journey, I have come to understand that FAITH is the main flavour for me to savor every little chunk that comes to my plate. No matter what the taste would be – be it sweet, bitter, sour, tasteless– my FAITH would let me finish my meal.

Running around the unfamiliar roads is not simple, unquestionably not, but every time I see myself again hustling through the wilderness, I would always hold HIS grip. I know seeing it though my perspective won’t help at all; I need HIM to take the lead. It’s actually reading through the blank pages or getting the message through jumbled words – that’s how faith works.

So does it mean being “strong” equates to being “numb” to pain? Absolutely not, definitely not. But I must say, it’s how the strong ones translate the pain into trust, into hope, into love, into every little thing that would radiate HIS glory. The strength of a person is also not about how fast one can recover from the sting of life because I believe, many of these “strong ones” could still be under recovery yet they opt to still run and believe HIS perfect and irrefutable plan.

“In EVERYTHING, give thanks…” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Plasters and Blisters

Conquering new heights is like wearing new shoes. We get so excited to try it on. We feel pretty and walk so gorgeously on our first few steps... but after few more steps... and another step, we can feel the pain on our feet... blisters are forming. And for us to just go through the day, we put plasters on them... Yet still, the agony of bearing the pain and letting the day pass is kicking-in. But at the end of the day, we may find our feet with plasters and blisters, there's still undeniable satisfaction of having a new blessing... and we know, after some more tries walking with it, we'll get used to it... and soon enough, we will realize, how pretty we are on our new shoes... and that it perfectly fit with our size.

On the same manner, we get so excited with the idea of starting our career to a new place or new heights or taking new assignment. Hence, our hearts are so filled with joy as we start the journey... We're so pumped up with passion and determination! But as the days... and some more days pass by, the agony of waiting is just 'killing' us...

So I must say, "adjustment period" is inevitable and resistance is almost always part of the process but as long as we begin to see our future in HIS eyes and appreciate each blessing that was given to us, every step, big or small, is indeed not a waste... and sooner or later, it will be paid-off.

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."

It’s all about the character!

Life is a journey but what would take you to the finish line? Life is a quest but what would make you a winner? My bet is that our “character” will draw the line!

Some argue that life is unfair but had it been fair with Job? Some may debate that our “environments” would play a big role but looking at Joseph’s life, his “character” played much bigger. You may have a winning case but if your character fails to function well, you will lose along the way.

Yes, it’s all about our character! Things may present to us as an astounding surprise or likely expected, but the bottom line is, how much our “winning character” will stand out. We may have a long list of unanswered questions but the truth still lies, how are you going to respond while seeking for the answers?

Ephesians 4:14-15 (personally revised version): “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by life’s challenges and every questions left unanswered, and blown here and there by every offensive word, unacceptable reasons and unfavorable circumstances. Instead, speaking (and believing) the truth in love, we will grow having an unoffended life to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Get your portion!

2011 is said to be a great year – greater than ever! It’s our time to shine, our time to walk in the light and to be the light! But as we all know, there’s a price to pay for greater acceleration! As we are all in the market, most of us are working on different industries, there’s always a platform for us to excel – be skilled in whatever comes to our hands not for our name, but for HIS name.

I have been learning a lot from King Solomon chewing on every chunk written in Proverbs – not just reading and hearing but making each principle a reality. Solomon was known to be the wisest man in his time. How wise? All other kingdoms were willing to pay just to hear his wisdom! We want the world to listen to us? Be wise!


Here are few lines that keep on echoing on my head (all from Proverbs)

1. Acquire wisdom. Get insight. Love knowledge. – These are all over the book of Proverbs! We may all want the second word of each phrases “wisdom, insight and knowledge” but ignore the first one, “acquire, get and love”. There’s a step to take, a time to commit, an effort to extend. If we want excellence in our work and all areas of our lives, TAKE ACTION!

2. “For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.” – Proverbs 1:32

(a) “For the waywardness of the naive will kill them…” – alignment to HIS word is always a requirement. Obedience is always a prerequisite. Don’t compromise! Stay focus!

(b) “…And the complacency of fools will destroy them.” – Don’t ever embrace mediocrity and never sit on your laurel; KEEP ON MOVING UP! There’s so much more to achieve. Don’t ever think that you have reached the top; remember that we go from glory to glory!

3. Listen to the words of the wise! Solomon reiterated many times in Proverbs, “listen my son…” or “pay attention to what I will say…” Learn from the best! Don’t ignore the teachings on excellent spirit and all those gifts given to us. Listen to the words given to Destiny! Listen to the words of GOD!



All the resources have been given – get your portion!

Glued to the promise…

"… 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.

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...)

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."