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.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
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. :)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Trapped in an "I-land"?
It's mid-year already. For the past weeks I've been "evaluating" my "progress" in this life of mine. Am I more loving... more patient... more generous... more joyful... more serving... or am I trapped in an "I-land"?
Driving here in the Philippines is very challenging. It takes a lot of courage. You try to drive safely but it seems that others don't care about it. I've noticed lately that I'm driving faster than I used to be. Maybe it's because I'm always in a hurry? Well, maybe it's because others are driving pretty fast and I thought I'll be left behind in the "race". Hehe. I guess I should have a sort of "metronome"(in music, it is a device to help you have a steady tempo) in my car. I'm keeping myself aware of my driving speed now... be more giving and patient and especially not to go with the flow of fast driving but not to the other extreme of driving too slow just like a funeral car! Hehe.
God is so thoughtful he remembers even our crazy little requests. Years ago I've been wanting to try other things like being an elevator operator, photocopying machine attendant and (school bus or private) driver. God made my little crazy requests into reality few weeks ago on different occasions. At first I was sort of complaining, but when I realized my requests were granted I had a wide smile. I realized that God is giving me opportunities to be of service to other people. :)
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 NIV)
Driving here in the Philippines is very challenging. It takes a lot of courage. You try to drive safely but it seems that others don't care about it. I've noticed lately that I'm driving faster than I used to be. Maybe it's because I'm always in a hurry? Well, maybe it's because others are driving pretty fast and I thought I'll be left behind in the "race". Hehe. I guess I should have a sort of "metronome"(in music, it is a device to help you have a steady tempo) in my car. I'm keeping myself aware of my driving speed now... be more giving and patient and especially not to go with the flow of fast driving but not to the other extreme of driving too slow just like a funeral car! Hehe.
God is so thoughtful he remembers even our crazy little requests. Years ago I've been wanting to try other things like being an elevator operator, photocopying machine attendant and (school bus or private) driver. God made my little crazy requests into reality few weeks ago on different occasions. At first I was sort of complaining, but when I realized my requests were granted I had a wide smile. I realized that God is giving me opportunities to be of service to other people. :)
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 NIV)
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Benefit of the doubt
Before, I thought it's negative to doubt. When I was in college, my professor in Humanities would always comment when we're unsure of our answers -- "It's good when you're doubting. It means you're thinking." One of the things I could still remember from the devotional book "If the Pasta Wiggles, Don't Eat It..." by Martha Bolton is the "bumper sticker for the day" that says, "Sometimes the best gift you can give a friend is the benefit of the doubt."
I realized that the "benefit of the doubt" lesson is also applicable when driving. This "benefit of the doubt" had saved me several times from accident. You cannot really always trust what you're seeing. Some of my experiences were... The intersection might look open but when I'm about to cross it, another vehicle will pop out. I look at the side mirror and the lane seems to be open but when I'm about to change lane, a man riding a motorcycle is suddenly in the lane. I look at the rear red lights of the vehicle I'm trailing as a guide if I have to step on the brakes, more often than not, most vehicles on the road have busted rear red lights. Most drivers do not flash signal lights when they are turning right or left and this annoys me sometimes. Oh well, I took note of these things and try to be aware of the possibilities.
I think we could learn life's lessons while driving. :)
I realized that the "benefit of the doubt" lesson is also applicable when driving. This "benefit of the doubt" had saved me several times from accident. You cannot really always trust what you're seeing. Some of my experiences were... The intersection might look open but when I'm about to cross it, another vehicle will pop out. I look at the side mirror and the lane seems to be open but when I'm about to change lane, a man riding a motorcycle is suddenly in the lane. I look at the rear red lights of the vehicle I'm trailing as a guide if I have to step on the brakes, more often than not, most vehicles on the road have busted rear red lights. Most drivers do not flash signal lights when they are turning right or left and this annoys me sometimes. Oh well, I took note of these things and try to be aware of the possibilities.
I think we could learn life's lessons while driving. :)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Thanks for the lemonade!
Lemonade is not my favorite but we should be thankful for everything.
If life gives you lemons, make lemonade! :)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (KJV)
If life gives you lemons, make lemonade! :)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Spectacles and HipHop/RnB
During my elementary days, I envied my classmates who wear eyeglasses. They looked like geniuses and smart kids. I could still remember I was asking my mom to buy me eyeglasses even when I have 20/20 vision. I would interview my classmates how does it feel to wear eyeglasses. One classmate of mine said, "Mahirap ang naka-eyeglasses!"
Two to three years ago, results of my eye checkup was my eyes are "astig" (as in astigmatic). I was advised to wear corrective eyeglasses. I was excited to wear eyeglasses. As I was wearing eyeglasses more often, I found out that eyeglasses are sort of obstruction on the face. I now fully understand my classmate's statement before. I hope and pray that my eyes won't be "astig" anymore. Funny me! I wonder if God is nodding his head and would scold me, "'Kala ko ba gusto mo ang naka-eyeglasses?!" I remember a Henry Blackaby's quote, "Oh God, if I ever give You a request and You have more to give me than I am asking, cancel my request!" :)
My brother likes hiphop/rnb sounds while driving. He would put down the car's windows plus have the audio's volume up plus matching wearing sunglasses equals 100 pogi points! My mom and I are quite annoyed with this style of his. I observed teenagers and young adults on the road and most of them have this style also. I guess this is just the trend. Recently, one sunny day while I was driving along traffic-free Katipunan Ave., a hiphop/rnb sound was played on the radio. I put down my car's windows plus have the audio's volume up. I said to myself, "Ah, ganito pala ang feeling!" I found out that hiphop/rnb is a good background music while driving. Hehe. I've learned that you'll never really know how it feels until you experience it yourself.
In life, sometimes we may feel that nobody really understands how we feel. We just have to remember that we have a God who understands us and He experienced it all. Hebrews 4:14-16 (The Message) says, "Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help."
Two to three years ago, results of my eye checkup was my eyes are "astig" (as in astigmatic). I was advised to wear corrective eyeglasses. I was excited to wear eyeglasses. As I was wearing eyeglasses more often, I found out that eyeglasses are sort of obstruction on the face. I now fully understand my classmate's statement before. I hope and pray that my eyes won't be "astig" anymore. Funny me! I wonder if God is nodding his head and would scold me, "'Kala ko ba gusto mo ang naka-eyeglasses?!" I remember a Henry Blackaby's quote, "Oh God, if I ever give You a request and You have more to give me than I am asking, cancel my request!" :)
My brother likes hiphop/rnb sounds while driving. He would put down the car's windows plus have the audio's volume up plus matching wearing sunglasses equals 100 pogi points! My mom and I are quite annoyed with this style of his. I observed teenagers and young adults on the road and most of them have this style also. I guess this is just the trend. Recently, one sunny day while I was driving along traffic-free Katipunan Ave., a hiphop/rnb sound was played on the radio. I put down my car's windows plus have the audio's volume up. I said to myself, "Ah, ganito pala ang feeling!" I found out that hiphop/rnb is a good background music while driving. Hehe. I've learned that you'll never really know how it feels until you experience it yourself.
In life, sometimes we may feel that nobody really understands how we feel. We just have to remember that we have a God who understands us and He experienced it all. Hebrews 4:14-16 (The Message) says, "Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help."
Cinderella
Cinderella
by Steven Curtis Chapman
She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you
There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of her dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone
Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
For a sample audio of Cinderella, visit SCC's site.
---------------------------------------------------------
I guess this song became more important than ever to SCC.
I've been hurry-sick for the past weeks and this song reminds me to cherish and savor each moment all the more. It's difficult to chase time. :)
God has a unique way of getting our attention. While driving along our street going home, a big frog popped up and blocked my way. I stepped on the brakes. I have second thoughts of honking my car's horn because I've been training myself to just honk my car's horn if really necessary. While the big frog was sitting pretty and blocking my way, I smiled. I said to God, "You got me!" He knows I can't run over a frog so I need to stop. (I was so sorry then for all the frogs I've dissected during my Bio 2 class when I was in college.) I stopped for a while and then geared my car to reverse to avoid the frog. When I was parking my car in our garage, I suddenly thought, "God, was that my frog prince?" :)
by Steven Curtis Chapman
She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you
There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of her dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone
Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
For a sample audio of Cinderella, visit SCC's site.
---------------------------------------------------------
I guess this song became more important than ever to SCC.
I've been hurry-sick for the past weeks and this song reminds me to cherish and savor each moment all the more. It's difficult to chase time. :)
God has a unique way of getting our attention. While driving along our street going home, a big frog popped up and blocked my way. I stepped on the brakes. I have second thoughts of honking my car's horn because I've been training myself to just honk my car's horn if really necessary. While the big frog was sitting pretty and blocking my way, I smiled. I said to God, "You got me!" He knows I can't run over a frog so I need to stop. (I was so sorry then for all the frogs I've dissected during my Bio 2 class when I was in college.) I stopped for a while and then geared my car to reverse to avoid the frog. When I was parking my car in our garage, I suddenly thought, "God, was that my frog prince?" :)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Trying times
I've read about Maria's death early yesterday morning. May the God of all comfort comforts the Chapman family in this time of grief. (Click here for more details)
There are just some things we will not understand in this side of life.
Just this 12:01AM, there's another PhP1.00-1.50 increase in oil petroleum products. Sometimes it's just so depressing.
I thank God for songs of comfort and hope:
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
- Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
- Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, All fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives
- Because He Lives (hymn)
God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
- Trust His Heart by Ray Boltz
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
There are just some things we will not understand in this side of life.
Just this 12:01AM, there's another PhP1.00-1.50 increase in oil petroleum products. Sometimes it's just so depressing.
I thank God for songs of comfort and hope:
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
- Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
- Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, All fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives
- Because He Lives (hymn)
God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
- Trust His Heart by Ray Boltz
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Hurry-Sick Tin
I'm fascinated in observing and monitoring things (e.g. weather, traffic, etc.). Lately I've been monitoring myself.hehe. And I noticed I have hurry sickness (hehe self-diagnosed disease).
My Symptoms:
- Honking my car's horn more often (esp. when there's a slow moving vehicle in front)
- Disliking red traffic light
- Eating fast
- Talking fast
- Walking fast or running more often
- Always looking at my watch or my PC's clock
I'm not saying that doing things faster is bad. But there is a time for everything. I'm forgetting to cherish the moment and enjoy the ride. God is too wise to catch my attention by giving me pain last week. It is as if He was saying, "Slow down, Tin." Now that I'm aware of it, I'll be monitoring myself again and hope I will make progress this week. :)
My Symptoms:
- Honking my car's horn more often (esp. when there's a slow moving vehicle in front)
- Disliking red traffic light
- Eating fast
- Talking fast
- Walking fast or running more often
- Always looking at my watch or my PC's clock
I'm not saying that doing things faster is bad. But there is a time for everything. I'm forgetting to cherish the moment and enjoy the ride. God is too wise to catch my attention by giving me pain last week. It is as if He was saying, "Slow down, Tin." Now that I'm aware of it, I'll be monitoring myself again and hope I will make progress this week. :)
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Unique story
Thoughts of being a "generic" human being keep on bugging my mind lately. I thought I have a generic name and a generic face. (Hehe. Just in my low self-esteem mood.) I asked God, "Is there something special about me?" (Just wanting to have some affirmation and assurance.)
Last night, my mom and I came early for the Black Gospel Music Celebration Worship Concert. We decided to eat and stroll inside the St. Francis Square while waiting. My mom suggested that I should buy a new pair of shoes (as an alternate to my fave sneakers). There were lots of shoes on different stalls. There were many choices of design and color. "I want a unique one!", I said to my mom. After going around the stalls for some time, we saw a cute sneaker-like-girly-looking pair of slip-on shoes. We asked for the price and it was reasonable. The salesman encouraged me to try the shoes. The shoes on display looked big. My mom asked for the smallest size. The salesman said the smallest size is 35. "Oh yeah, 35 is my size!" (I remembered I bought a pair of shoes years ago with size 35 and it fitted my feet.) But when I tried the shoes, it was one size bigger than my size. Too bad. The salesman encouraged me to look for other designs. I saw my second choice but then the smallest size is not my size again. Too bad again. I was quite disappointed because I wasn't able to buy a pair of shoes. But I felt that God just want to say something to me, "Tin, you have a unique size of feet! You see, with all the pairs of shoes available in all these stalls, nothing fits your feet -- because you're unique!" Hehe, God has a good sense of humor. "Yeah, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!" :)
Last night, my mom and I came early for the Black Gospel Music Celebration Worship Concert. We decided to eat and stroll inside the St. Francis Square while waiting. My mom suggested that I should buy a new pair of shoes (as an alternate to my fave sneakers). There were lots of shoes on different stalls. There were many choices of design and color. "I want a unique one!", I said to my mom. After going around the stalls for some time, we saw a cute sneaker-like-girly-looking pair of slip-on shoes. We asked for the price and it was reasonable. The salesman encouraged me to try the shoes. The shoes on display looked big. My mom asked for the smallest size. The salesman said the smallest size is 35. "Oh yeah, 35 is my size!" (I remembered I bought a pair of shoes years ago with size 35 and it fitted my feet.) But when I tried the shoes, it was one size bigger than my size. Too bad. The salesman encouraged me to look for other designs. I saw my second choice but then the smallest size is not my size again. Too bad again. I was quite disappointed because I wasn't able to buy a pair of shoes. But I felt that God just want to say something to me, "Tin, you have a unique size of feet! You see, with all the pairs of shoes available in all these stalls, nothing fits your feet -- because you're unique!" Hehe, God has a good sense of humor. "Yeah, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!" :)
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