Why?

One question. Difficult to answer most of the time. 
You want an answer to this question to clear your mind.
But sometimes this question is left unanswered.
No matter what you do to find the answer, it is pretty elusive to grasp.

When it seems you can't find the answer,
Put your trust to the One who knows best.
One day you might find the answer
Your faith is just being put to the test.

Behind the scenes

I sometimes wonder what's really happening behind the scenes.

It's been almost a month since the start of classes. I've noticed that traffic gets really heavy especially in the mornings. Waiting in traffic is not a welcome routine for me. I always get agitated and irritated. But during those "waiting times", my thoughts wandered on life in general. I think God is working "behind the scenes" while I'm waiting. He's been teaching me "life lessons" while driving during heavy traffic. I'll share a couple of thoughts.

• Give others some "space" or "allowance". I'm sort of diligent in trailing the car in front of mine during traffic. Actually it's my "defensive move" to prevent other cars in cutting my lane. But as much as I want to "protect" my "space", some drivers are really brilliant in cutting your lane even with just a tiny space. This usually gets my anger level high. But God has been teaching me and reminding me that I should give "space". I will get to my destination anyway even if that car cut my lane. Giving ample space will also protect me from bumping incidents.
• Look at the mirrors as often as needed. Just as they say that you should always look forward when driving. You should also look at the mirrors (i.e. side mirror and rear-view mirror) as often as needed. The reason is pretty obvious. You need to glance at the mirrors before you make a move to your left or to your right or when going on a reverse. In life, we need to look back (just like looking at the rear-view mirror) to see how far we've come. It also helps us remember the lessons we've learned along the way. Looking at the side mirrors is like seeing how other people are doing. Care enough not to bump them. :)

From time to time, God is also reminding me to look beyond my "ordeal" (i.e. the long wait while in heavy traffic). Try to see some sceneries (if there's any). Try to look at the surroundings and who knows you might notice something that you haven't noticed when it's not traffic. This morning I have this "I didn't know there was that --" moment while looking around. I didn't know that there was a beautiful acacia tree on that cement island near SM Marikina. There's a beautiful line of Indian trees too. I was telling myself, "I'm passing this highway almost everyday and I didn't notice that?!". I must say, "Thank God for 'waiting times'."

Book excerpt

There are three categories of people in the world, and my bet is that you fall into one of them. Today, you might be what I call a "BP". You're "before pain", which means that up until this point in your life, you've been spared debilitating tragedies and heartaches. For you, God's promise in Romans 8:28 to "work for the good in all things" will be nothing more than theory. I recommend you keep this good theory nearby, nevertheless, because at some point in your life, you just might need it. Which brings me to category two.

You might be an "IP" -- someone who is "in pain" right now. In our broken world, pain will eventually find you, and when that day comes -- of if you're in the throes of pain as you read these words today -- Romans 8:28 is a lifeline, plain and simple. Our God can redeem even the darkest of days for his purposes. Without this promise, your trials and mine could feel overwhelming, and our pain could feel unbearable.

Or, perhaps you're like me, an "AP", which means you've made it over the most recent of life's painful hurdles in one piece. You're recovering and rebuilding as you navigate the waters called "after pain". For you, Romans 8:28 is a treasure. You now can see evidence of how God worked the pain for good, and as you face the prospect of future trials, something in you knows you'll make it through.

Wherever you find yourself on this continuum -- BP, IP or AP -- I encourage you to commit that Romans verse to memory. God promises goodness for your tomorrows, regardless what realities you're living through today.

--pages 125-126 THE POWER OF A WHISPER by Bill Hybels

Does He still feel the nails?

Art on truck

Jumong on a red truck

This red truck caught my attention while I was driving to work this morning. The artwork reminds me of the hand-painted movie billboards before.

You'll never know what you'll see on the road. :)

The First Day of Christmas Project

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There are many ways to be a part of it!

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REDEEM THE AIRWAVES - RTA 4.0 "CUT THROUGH THE NOISE"

REDEEM THE AIRWAVES - RTA 4.0
"CUT THROUGH THE NOISE" (Music and Media Conference)
May 15-16, 2009
Union Church of Manila, Rada corner Legaspi Sts. Legaspi Village Makati

This year's conference will start with a FREE (yeah, you heard it right! FREE!) Praise and Worship concert! 6-9PM on May 14!

Performances by:

Indios
Abby Sanchez
Lei Bautista
Tiny Cactus
Acel Bisa Van Ommen
Hubert Cheock
Kitchie Nadal

So invite your friends!!!

For more info, contact 339.01.40 or visit www.rtaconference.ning.com

God in a bottle

Sometimes I notice myself that I was praying as if I have a genie in a bottle. Always praying for what I want. "Lord, please give me this..." "Lord, please help me on this..." "Lord, I need this..." etc, etc. Well, nothing's wrong in involving God to our lives' little mundanes. But when our prayers are almost 100% about our wants and needs, I think we should evaluate ourselves. It's great when God answers our prayers with a "yes". When the answer is "wait", we get impatient, uneasy. When God gives us a big fat "NO" for an answer. We fret. We get angry. We rant. We feel disappointed. We may think that God doesn't understand. What I always try to remind myself whenever I got a NO answer is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (in Daniel chapter 3). I admire the kind of faith these guys have. My favorite phrase in their answer to King Nebuchadnezzar is "but even if He does not" (Daniel 3:18). Amazing faith! Let me share with you my favorite verse: "And we know that all things work for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28 KJV).

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you can't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart

30 lives

Up+Up+Down+Down+Left+Right+Left+Right+B+A+B+A+Select+Start
The cheat code to have 30 lives for 2 players in Contra video game.
Just when I was playing the game I was thinking... "Wish there's a 'cheat code' to have 30 lives in real life huh?!"
We just have one life to live so better live it well.
And God reminded me... Even when we don't have 30 lives, God promised eternal life to those who'll put their trust in Jesus! :)

To detour or not to detour [part 2]

I think I've asked myself this question many times these past few days. I have to drive back and forth to Manila for ten consecutive days for the APRICOT 2009 conference. I've already mapped out a travel route in advance (thanks to Citi Atlas and wikimapia.org!) but I've learned it's good to have an alternate route plan to avoid last minute changes. :D

But the last minute changes (in travel route) made the travels more exciting! It was like "thank God for the traffic jam!" If not for the traffic jams I wouldn't have taken those detour routes.

The feeling is great (as in total bliss!) when the detour route looks like a success. That is when I thought I had escaped from the traffic jam. I feel disappointed when I took a detour and the traffic is even worse. But then it's still OK because I've learned a new route and observed the road and its surroundings better.

Just some passing thoughts while taking those detour routes...
It's good to have a map/atlas. In life we don't have a map or atlas but we have the word of God (Bible) to guide us in our way.
Don't be envious. I sometimes become envious of drivers in the other lane or opposite lane when the traffic is not bad in their side. I was thinking, "I wish I were on their side of the road." But time and again God would remind me that we have our own different journey. It was just my time to endure the traffic. I have to appreciate the moment and learn from it. :D
There are blessings in disguise. I'm not a traffic jam fan. But being stuck in a crazy traffic could be a blessing. Just looking around (while stuck in traffic), I got to discover places I had just heard or saw in the map. I've been hearing myself saying, "Ah yan pala yon!" (pertaining to a street or a building or a restaurant, etc.). I sort of get more acquianted with the place rather than just passing by.hehe.

Now, I think it's always worth a try to take a detour. :D