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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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

To detour or not to detour

I don't like detours before. But now that I'm driving, I welcome the option to detour especially when there's a traffic jam ahead. I'm just having a dilemma sometimes because I have this thought that maybe I would just waste some gas by detouring.

One thing I'm learning from this, sometimes I just have to endure the traffic jam because it will soon pass. Patience exercise! :)

Just thinking: In life, we may not have the liberty to choose to detour or not to detour. But whatever we're going through in life, I believe it's for a purpose.

Word 4U Today 1st Quarter issue out now!!!

Get your copy now for only P50!

If you wanna bless your friend with a copy as well, you get a back issue free!

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Back issues are still available for P20 only!

To get your copy now…you can:

1. Call 3390140 and look for owie

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   Unit 301 State Condo 1 Salcedo St Legaspi Village Makati
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How then shall I live?

I think December is the month of the year when most people are in their most emotional and reflective mood.

I remember this scenario when I heard Steven Curtis Chapman's Last Day On Earth song...
One morning while I was driving to work, I heard the sound of a siren. And when I looked on the center rearview mirror, there was an approaching ambulance. Cars on both lanes were making way for the ambulance. As I was maneuvering my car to the left to create ample space for the approaching ambulance, I suddenly glanced at the billboard for the "now showing" movie "The Day The Earth Stood Still". The ambulance had passed by and as I was going back to my previous lane, thoughts were racing in my mind. What if I was the one in that ambulance?

Last Day on Earth
by Steven Curtis Chapman

I pull over to the side of the road and I watch the cars pass me by
The headlights and a black limousine tell me someone is saying goodbye
I bow my head and I whisper a prayer, "Father, comfort their broken hearts"
And as I drive away there's a thought that I
I cannot escape, No I, I cannot escape this thought
I can't get away

Oh, if this should be my last day on this earth
How then shall I live?
Oh, if this should be the last day that I have
Before I breathe the air of heaven
Let me live it with abandon to
The only thing that remains
After my last day, here on earth

If this should be my last day here on earth
If this should be my last day here on earth
If this should be my last, last day here on earth

And if tomorrow comes to find me
Looking in the face of Jesus
Will I hear Him say the words "well done"?

Oh, if this should be my last day on this earth
How then shall I live?
Oh, if this should be the last day that I have
Before I breathe the air of heaven
Let me live it with abandon to
The only One that remains
After my last day
Here on earth

If this should be my last day here on earth
If this should be my last, my last day here on earth

Cause this could be my last, this could be my last
This could be my last day

*Last Day on Earth is the 4th track in the album All Things New. You can listen to it for free at Steven's website. Here's the link for the said album.

Want to be a blessing?

Christmas is just around the corner. Want to be a blessing to others? How?
The Edge Radio Manila plans to decorate an orphanage this Christmas!!! Just donate your still pretty and use-able Christmas decors! If you'd like to donate your decor or help out in any other way, please contact The Edge office at 339-0140 or 0918.959.3343. :)

The Edge Radio's first

The Edge Radio is doing its first live remote video webcast at Acel Bisa Van Ommen's album launch at Eastwood tonight, Nov. 6, 2008 6-10PM.
Watch it live at http://www.theedgeradio.net/edgetvpage/manila/

Rainbow

Monday morning rush. I was having temper spurts while driving. I was quite annoyed by the jeeps and cars that were cutting my lane. When I was making the U-turn along Marcos Highway, a jeep tried to cut my lane again. I managed to make that U-turn safely. I was trying to keep my cool and stretch my patience. After making the U-turn, a rainbow greeted me. Whoa, I haven't seen a rainbow for a long time. It was so clear you can see the ROYGBIV colors. If I could just stop the car and stare at the rainbow for some time.hehe. I just managed to drive while glancing at the rainbow once in a while.

How great thou art!

Grace [period]

It's all because of grace [period]

Just when you thought you were invincible, God would always remind you that you cannot do anything without Him.

We're living under grace [period] Nothing more, nothing less.

Half filled or half empty?

Oil price hike every week. Traffic jam every morning. Annoying circumstance.
Perspective in life is really important.
I'm trying to be more thankful.
Oil price hike every week -- I'm thankful I have a car.
Traffic jam every morning -- I'm thankful I could take some pictures and patience level is being put to test.
Annoying circumstance -- I'm thankful because it's a test of my character.
This morning, a passenger jeep cut my lane (as in sharp cut). I was in shock but then my shock became anger. After a few seconds of state of anger I reminded myself to be thankful. Thankful that no accident happened. Suzuki (my car) wasn't hurt. I wasn't hurt. No extra expenses in case Suzuki and I got hurt. Test of patience indeed.

Borrowed time

We were on our way to church earlier this morning when we encountered a traffic jam along Amang Rodriguez Avenue. I was quite irritated by the traffic. My irritation was turned to mixed emotions when I was able to catch a glimpse of the cause of the traffic jam. What I saw is a woman lying on the ground beside a motorcycle. Then men were trying to carry the woman to a car and I supposed they will bring the woman to a nearby hospital.

When I saw that situation, my mind was filled with flashback images. I also had a street accident about 3 years ago. I realized I was living on a "borrowed time" for almost 3 years now. I suddenly have a quick evaluation of my so-called "borrowed life". God reminded me once again that I don't have complete control over my life. He's the boss. He could take it away anytime so I should live a meaningful life.

Unique story 2

Remember my "Unique story" blog entry about two months ago? Well, few weeks ago I was able to buy a new pair of sneakers. We just went to the mall that day to stroll but I ended up with new pair of shoes. It was my mom who noticed the sneakers. I tried fitting the shoes and surprisingly it fits. The salesman said it's the last pair already. I really appreciate the shoes because it's comfortable and has simple design. And the best thing was the price is 50% off! Woohoo! It's only now that I realized that almost all of my shoes were bought at a discounted price ha! Thanks to the unique size of my feet! I knew God has a purpose for everything. :)