When I was about to give up / You encouraged me / You gave me hope / When I was about to fall / You offered your hand / Gave me a lift / And now I stand.

Sometimes I wonder / Why you’re always there / I always fail / I always stray / You did not give up on me / You always stay / You always pray.

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I failed you again / How many times have I done this? / It's more than the number of my fingers and my toes / How would I stop failing you? / How would I stop disappointing you? / I never will / I feel guilty, guilty, guilty / It's only by your grace / It's only by your mercy / I could now go on / Thank you for your abounding love.

abused freedom

Freedom, n. exemption from slavery, servitude, confinement, or constraint; liberty; independence (The Lexicon Webster Dictionary)

“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive. (The Believer’s Freedom in 1 Corinthians 10:23)

I think I abused my freedom last June 12, 2005 which happened to be our country’s Independence Day. It’s not bad to enjoy the company of friends but everything has its own proper place and time. I’ve learned my lesson.

I was also convicted by what I’ve read from a book given by my friend, Kay (actually it’s an advance birthday gift! – thanks again, Kay!). It’s about 1 Corinthians chapter three, verses twelve through fourteen. I quote, “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” For one thing, she (Amy Carmichael) would no longer waste time on things that weren’t important in God’s eyes. When all the things she’d done in her life were finally judged by God, she wanted them to be found worthwhile. She wanted them to be seen as gold and silver, not hay and stubble. For another thing, she would never again worry about what people thought of her. If what she was doing was pleasing to God, that would be enough for her. (Christian Heroes: Then & Now Amy Carmichael Rescuer of Precious Gems by Janet & Geoff Benge)

Do everything for the glory of God!

wandering thoughts...

“You do not have, because you don’t ask God.” James 4:2b

It’s not really my character to always ask – for something/help/favor, in Filipino “palahingi”.  But I’m learning this lesson that sometimes God wants us to ask Him personally.  Yes, it is said in the book of Matthew, “for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” but God also wants us to ask, just like a child asking his earthly father.  Bruce Wilkinson also mentioned in his book “Prayer of Jabez” about a story of “unopened gifts” in heaven because people do not ask God.  On the other hand, this is not a reason to view God as a genie in a bottle who always grants our request.  God also wants us to exercise faith. 

I admire the tremendous faith of Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, when they were about to be thrown in a fiery furnace because they refused to worship the image of gold.  Daniel 3:16-18 says, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.””  Sometimes, rather most of the times, we tend to love and worship God when everything is all right – problem-free, smooth sailing life, comfortable and convenient environment, etc.  But when we experience small amounts of trials and suffering, our faith in Him wavers.  This is what Philip Yancey called the “two handed faith”.  We put our faith in God not only when everything goes well but also during tough times.  Your faith in God depends on how well do you know Him.

great job!

“Great job!”

Hay, ang sarap pakinggan… ang sarap basahin… ang sarap balikbalikan. 

Naisip ko lang mas masarap siguro ang feeling kapag si Lord ang nagsabi nyan sa ‘yo.  “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”

Exciting and at the same time parang nakakatakot yung moment na ‘yon…