There's a bomb!

Our office guard got a phone call from an unknown guy who said there's a bomb planted in our office. Police responded and asked everyone to vacate the building. I didn't see the urgency in the face of my officemate as he put down the phone receiver so we thought it was just a fire or earthquake drill. I just realized that it was urgent when our office maintenance personnel came rushing in saying, "Pakibilis raw po sabi ng mga pulis." At once I got my bag and jacket and rushed down the stairs and out of the building.

Since we haven't eaten lunch yet, my officemates and I decided to eat lunch in a nearby canteen. When we went back, the police were still checking the premises. We decided to just sit and wait in a nearby bench. After two hours, we were advised that it was safe to go back in the building. Bomb scare.

I Am Blessed

I Am Blessed
by Rachel Lampa

Verse 1:
I may never climb a mountain so I can see the world from there
I may never ride the waves and taste the salty ocean air
Or build a bridge, that would last a hundred years
But no matter where the road leads
One thing is always clear

Chorus:
I am blessed, I am blessed
From when I rise up in the morning
Til I lay my head to rest
I feel You near me
You sooth me when I'm weary
Oh Lord, for all the worst and all the best
I am blessed

Verse 2:
All along the road less traveled, I have crawled and I have run
I have wandered through the wind and rain until I found the sun
The watching eyes asked me why, I walked this narrow way
I will gladly give the reason
For the hope I have today
(chorus)

Bridge:
You've given me joy
You've given me love
You give me strength when I want to give up
You came from Heaven to rescue my soul
This is the reason I know
I know
(chorus)

=======================================

This is the current song playing over my head. It's a nice reminder that I am blessed. I really love the chorus of this song. It expresses what I want to say to Him right now. "Oh Lord, for all the worst and all the best, I am blessed" - such a strong statement! Sometimes we feel blessed only in what we think our "good times" but we forget that we're still blessed even in our "bad times".

I remembered this chorus while trying to patiently wait during one particular traffic jam. I was about to lose my patience and was about to complain about the traffic when I noticed the people inside the jeep in front of my car. They seemed to be getting impatient also because of the traffic. It seemed hot inside the jeep. Maybe some were annoyed with the jeepney driver's choice of music. I realized I was blessed. I was sitting comfortably in my car's well-cushioned seat. My car has an aircon unit. I could listen to my choice of music. And besides I was only about 500 meters away from our village's gate at that time. "Oh God, forgive me when I whine." :)

I was trying to look forward for our village's gate at this point :)

Postscript: I discovered that I could upload music files in the multiply site for free. Click here if you like to download an mp3 of the song "I Am Blessed".

Driving

I've been driving regularly for some time now and I've been observing my behavior during my journeys to and from the office. I think I'm having symptoms of "sudden high temper syndrome". I used to think that I'm a cool driver but I overlooked the "pasaway" drivers in the streets. (haha, I think some drivers consider me also as one of the "pasaway" in the streets some times)

Well, these are the symptoms of my "sudden high temper syndrome". I tend to be talkative. Even when I'm driving alone I tend to speak to the vehicle that's blocking my way. Some of my favorite expressions are "kuya naman!" (when a jeep/car suddenly cuts my lane), "why are you so 'bagal'?" (when the the driver of the car in front of me feels like he's driving a funeral car and I can't change lanes), "kung naiinip ka, lumipat ka" (when I feel like I'm driving a funeral car and the driver of the car behind me feels annoyed with my driving). I tend to blow the car's horn more often than usual. Blowing the car's horn is one of my parameters if I'm getting hot-headed already. My worst of all symptoms is tapping the steering wheel so hard as if I lost a racing match.haha

I'm working on my "sudden high temper syndrome" and here are some of the ways. I entertain myself (especially during traffic jams) with cool music (like classical music; they say classical music has a "calming effect"), praying for people and taking pictures. And yesterday, I got a new idea from our beloved Pastor Peter. He shared that he became annoyed in one of the traffic jams he encountered last week (aha, I'm not alone!hehe). He was reminded by God during his "sudden high temper syndrome" that his "joy" is being robbed off from him. Hmm... ting! Aha, my joy is being robbed off from me every time I feel annoyed when I drive. So now I'm trying to have my mind set that my joy should not be robbed off from me when I drive. Hmm.. easier said than done but by God's grace I'll be fine. And if I can't keep my "cool" when driving the car, I think I just have to drive LRT/MRT trains so I would not encounter traffic, but maybe I think I'll ask them to put "eject people" button so I don't have to stop at the stations?haha :)

...Be patient with everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Yeah, nice reminder "be patient with everyone" and "everyone" includes myself. My ironic prayer when I drive is "Lord, give me patience now!" :)

Getting Into You

GETTING INTO YOU
by Relient K

When I made up my mind
And my heart along with that
To live not for myself
But yet for God, somebody said
Do you know what you are getting yourself into

When I finally ironed out
All of my priorities
And asked God to remove the doubt
That makes me so unsure of these
Things I ask myself, I ask myself
Do you know what you are getting yourself into

[Chorus]
I'm getting into you
Because you got to me, in a way words can't describe
I'm getting into you
Because I've got to be
You're essential to survive
I'm going to love you with my life

When he looked at me and said
I kind of view you as a son
And for a second our eyes met
And I met that with a question
Do you know what you are getting yourself into

[Chorus]

I've been a liar and I'll never amount to
The kind of person you deserve to worship you
You say you will not dwell on what I did but rather what I do you say
I love you and that's what you are getting yourself into

[Chorus]

He said, I love you and that's what you are getting yourself into

==ooOoo==

It's been a while since the string quartet version of this song is playing over my head. One thing I've learned from my mom is to know what I'm getting myself into before making a commitment. Because once I've made a commitment I should be responsible to fulfill that commitment. In all my commitments, I think it's with my commitment to God that I always fail. I think of our commitment as a love contract and I know what I'm getting myself into. Good thing God doesn't like law suits, or else I may be filed with a breach of contract case every time I'm unfaithful to Him. hehe:) I like the last line of the song "He said, I love you and that's what you are getting yourself into". Sweet, huh?! :)

"Night-shining clouds"

Image above: This image shows one of the first ground sightings of noctilucent clouds in the 2007 season. Credit: Veres Viktor of Budapest, Hungary taken on June 15, 2007.

Click here for more details.

"HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!"

What's Up?

Silence

Hmmm…

I’ve been watching this TV drama for the past weeks. I just like some of the concepts in this drama. One of which is the use of sign language. Watching the female lead doing the sign languages makes me want to learn sign language as well. Another is the concept of “what if I only have 3 months to live?” This was not the first time this concept has captured me. I had a sort of face-to-face encounter with mortality a couple of years ago. Once again, I was reminded to constantly re-evaluate my so-called life. I appreciate silence lately. It is a time for reflection and thinking. The silence makes me more aware with the sounds surrounding me. I appreciate music more. I think I became more appreciative now.

Independence Day

I really like holidays. It is an extra rest day! Yehey! :)

This verse of a praise and worship song crossed my mind… “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free, no longer to be subject to the yoke of slavery… So we’re rejoicing in God’s victory, our hearts responding to His love!” I’m just really fascinated with this rescue/restoration concept. Whenever I see the repainting job being done to the old giant sundial monument at the back of our office, I see God as a restorer of broken lives and souls. This makes me remember another verse of a song, “Oh He heals the broken hearted, binding up their wounds, it is good to bless His holy name.”

I remember my own “independence day”, it was such a liberating feeling when I surrendered my all to the One who knew me well. I can’t describe the “high” feeling. :)

Remembered

It’s nice to be remembered… remembered as who you are. I had this experience in college while I was passing by the “flying carabao” monument in the main library when suddenly a girl greeted me “hi!” with a wide smile. I didn’t know her but I greeted her back. I was really wondering who she was. Then she asked me, “Are you Patricia?” (Nyeee!) I simply smiled and replied, “Sorry, I’m not Patricia”. Good to be remembered, huh? I had several encounters when people would say that I looked like someone they knew. I guess I have a “generic” face huh. :)

I thank God for remembering me. I’m really grateful for his abundant grace. I always tend to forget His faithfulness. But time and again He’s showing me His faithfulness in every way.

Driving experience

I’ve been driving regularly for almost a year now. I encountered some petty accidents, had some temper spurts, and had some impatient moments.

So far, I’m learning something every time I drive.

I’ve learned to “psychologize” the behavior of cars in my surroundings and anticipate their moves.

I’ve learned to be patient during heavy traffic though there are still times when my temper rises. One of the things I’m doing during heavy traffic is to remember people and say a little prayer for them. Another thing is to take pictures of traffic. :)

All the while, I thought I’m sort of a patient person but I didn’t know I have some temper spurts until I drive. Driving in the metro is some kind of a test of patience, with the likes annoying jeeps, trucks, pedicabs and motorbike. :)

Simple thoughts of you

In connection with my appreciative attitude lately, I’m having simple thoughts of Him every now and then. When I look at the sky, the cloud formations, the trees, the stars, and other creations, I can’t help but be amazed and think of the greatness of my God! :)

Missin' You

MISSIN' YOU
by Chris Rice

I heard about the day You went away
You said You had to go prepare a place
And even though I’ve never seen Your face
I’m missin’ You

I lie awake tonight and I watch the sky
And I wish it didn’t have to be so high
‘Cause I’m belonging on the other side
And I’m missin’ You

‘Cause somewhere behind those stars
Is Someone who belongs to me
And I know in my deepest heart
There’s a place for You until I find the place You made for me
But still I’m missin’ You

I dream about Your promise to return
And I wake up hangin’ on Your every word
But for now my feet are planted here on earth
So I’m missin’ You
And even while they say that I’m a fool
I know you see me waiting here for You
Oh, and prayin’ that somehow You’ll get here soon
‘Cause I’m missin’ You

‘Cause somewhere behind those stars
Is Someone who belongs to me
And I know in my deepest heart
There’s a place for You until I find the place You made for me
But still I’m missin’ You

How much longer will it be
Till I get to see you
Though I know you’re right here with me
Tell me when can I be there with you

‘Cause somewhere behind those stars
Is Someone who belongs to me
And I know in my deepest heart
There’s a place for You until I find the place You made for me
But still I’m missin’ You

Oh, I’m missin’ You
Lord, I’m missin’ You

You Never Let Go

You Never Let Go
by Matt Redman

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Chorus:
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

============================================
The story behind the song (from www.mattredman.com)

I wrote this song with my wife Beth, and it's special to us because it helped us make it through a very hard season in our lives. It was written in a really intense week. Beth suffered a miscarriage, and actually it was also the week of the London bombings. There are times when everything in life seems to be breaking and shaking apart, and that age old Psalmist cry of 'How long O Lord, how long?' is echoing through your soul. It's in seasons like those where we need to find something firm to stand on. For as real as these struggles are, there's an even greater reality we can connect with, the wisdom, power and love of our amazing God. In our darkest moments He's as kind, caring and in control as He ever was. The song for us was a really a way of reminding ourselves that there´s a God who never lets go us, through the times of calm, and the stormy times.

In the song we use Psalm 23 as a springboard into the theme. 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death', and aim to lead people into a place of hope. Since writing the song we've been so encouraged by some of the emails and letters we've received in response. For example, people who have lost loved ones in a such hard circumstances. And though they're very real about it and grieving the loss, they've made a choice to remain on the paths of trust and praise. Our God never let go of us, and if we're wise in worship, we'll never let go of Him.

============================================

When we feel like giving up on ourselves, when we feel like we just want to disappear, when we feel like we're worthless and more than useless, when we feel like there's no one who cares, when we feel like the weight of the world is upon us... God never lets go of us!

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:11

Remembering

It has been three days since I’ve started in this job. I can’t help but remember countless things, persons and experiences as I tagged along with my officemates in the inventory of network equipment in UP Diliman campus. I visited UP Diliman few times before when we did library research when I was still in highschool. UP Diliman is very much like my beloved UPLB… the trees, buildings, road pavements, smell of old books, etc… I think UPD just lacks the “rural” and “camaraderie” feel of UPLB. :) The walk through different buildings was like a “walk to remember”. Some images of things, persons and experiences were flashing back in my mind. Well, the walk was quite tiring but I enjoyed it very much. I used to walk in UPLB then. It was like I’m having “field trips” every day.hehe :) (Actually, I miss the “walking sessions” with my dorm mates or blocmates.)

Some memorable remembrances are:

• the smell of old books in the main library – I used to stay in the UPLB main library before and I really love the smell of old books even if it was one of the probable cause of my rhinitis.hehe I don’t know but that “old-book-smell” gives me a different natural high…parang rugby!hehe
• red-floorwax-polished-floor – I love the feel of “gliding” my sneakers on the red-floorwax-polished-floor. I remember the red-floorwax-polished-floor in my college dorm.
• College of Education and College of Law were the buildings I visited when I was in highschool – I remembered I found a good reference book about graft and corruption in the College of Education library for my social studies paper. I got a copy of a republic act on organ donation at the College of Law for another social studies paper.
• familiar trees especially the palm trees I saw in NSRI – I used to memorize the names of those trees before because in UPLB most of the trees have “labels” complete with its respective scientific names. I wouldn’t forget the lined up palm trees from Carabao Park to Humanities building and from CHE (College of Human Ecology) building to PhySci (Physical Sciences) building.
• Lab rooms in the PAV1, PAV2, PAV3 buildings – I remember my Chem and Physics labs before…wearing of lab gown made me feel like I’m a doctor and doing different strange experiments made me feel like I’m a scientist/physicist!hehe
• ROMVLO HALL – I used to wonder how to pronounce ROMVLO when I was in highschool… hehe it was the first UP Diliman building I saw then… it’s the first building you’ll see when the jeep from Katipunan enters UP campus.
• Walk along R. Magsaysay road – I remembered my journey in finding the unpopular CSRC building to inquire about ITTC. From R. Magsaysay road to CSRC building is quite a long walk. :)
• CHE (College of Home Economics) building – It has the same initials with our college… College of Human Ecology! And besides, a good friend is also from CHE (College of Home Economics)… confusing di ba? Both colleges produce brilliant nutrition graduates.hehe :)

With all these remembering thoughts, once again I thank God for giving us memory! Good thing He thought of putting that “memory” feature in human beings. :) I really appreciate memory these past weeks! But most of the time, we are forgetful people. Forgetful on the blessings we received and the mistakes we made. May God help us remember the blessings we receive each day and give us wisdom to learn from the mistakes we make! Happy remembering! :)

Hello, Goodbye, Hello...

Hello!

Forrest Gump once said, “Life is like a box of chocolates…” I say, “Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes.” From the time we said “hello world!” till the time we’ll say “goodbye world!” we encounter different “hellos” and “goodbyes”. May it be to a person, thing, animal, problem, experience, or whatever it may be… everything has a beginning and end. We say “hello shoes!” then after a while “goodbye shoes!”… then after a while “hello new shoes!” then “’goodbye new but now old shoes!” It’s just a cycle. But the important thing in all these “hellos” and “goodbyes” is what transpired in between. Did we choose to love? Did we choose to appreciate? Did we choose to cherish the moment?

We can’t avoid having mixed emotions in all these. We may feel sad because of a goodbye moment but we may also feel both excited and happy for what lies ahead (a.k.a. hello moment). Mixed emotions, isn’t it? Been going through some “hellos” and “goodbyes” these days… makes me feel sad, excited, happy, fearful in a way, and everything! But life must go on. :) Live the moment, appreciate it, cherish it, learn from it. :)

People have different styles in handling certain “hello” and “goodbye” moments. Well, in my case, music is my “therapy”. Some of my current “comfort” songs are: “Cry On My Shoulder” by Overflow; “Rescue” by Desperation Band; “Hand” by Jars Of Clay; “I Won’t Give Up” by Everyday Sunday; “Because He Lives” (old hymn). I feel better when I’m eating ice cream while listening to the music.hehe :) Seriously, these songs give me encouragement and sense of hope. I know that all these “hellos” and “goodbyes” are inevitable and in everything God has a purpose. :)

The only tragedy in between “hello world!” and “goodbye world!” is not to know the Author of Life in this lifetime. We are just travelers in this so-called life and there is a better (or worse) life waiting for us after this. Now it all depends on our relationship to the One who saves us from our sins, Jesus! Accept Him in your life and you’ll say “goodbye world!” “hello heaven!”. Reject Him and you’ll say “goodbye world!” “hello hell!”. Two choices. One important decision. The decision is ours. Make it here and now not then and after. (For more info on the “one important decision” I’m talking about… just leave a message in the chatbox or click here.)

That’s all for now!
Goodbye! :)