Legacy

LEGACY
by Nichole Nordeman

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

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The first three lines of this song’s chorus crossed my mind when our pastor mentioned about what people would say about you during your funeral. Will they remember you as a loving person? A person who speaks of good to others? General Maximus in the movie Gladiator said “What we do in this life echoes in eternity.” This made me reflect on my life.

Let me just share this excerpt from the book (Faith That Goes The Distance by Jud Wilhite) I’m currently reading…

Someone once said we should make life’s major decisions in a cemetery. Sounds a little morbid, but a cemetery reminds us of ultimate things and helps us plan with the end in mind….

Ravi Zacharias’s ancestors came from the Hindu priesthood’s highest caste. Zacharias converted to Christianity in his late teens and attended college in Canada. Since then, he has lectured all over the world.

Zacharias visited his grandmother’s grave in India, thirty years after he surrendered to Christ. She passed away when he was young. He recalls:

No one had visited her grave for almost thirty years. With his little bucket of water and a small brush, the gardener cleared off the caked-on dirt and, to our utter surprise, under her name, a verse gradually appeared. My wife clasped my hand and said, “Look at the verse!” It read, “Because I live, you shall live also.”

The legacy of the grandmother’s faith lived and breathed in the grandson standing before her tombstone! Dead people do speak. “Because I live, you shall live also.” What message will you leave behind?

Maybe it’s time for a walk in a cemetery.

Love In October

Love was the topic in our church for the whole month of October. It was a timely reminder. People, like me, oftentimes forget the true meaning of love. Of course, 1 Corinthians 13 is the main text for the love series. Love is such an abstract, intangible thing. I think the first definition of love I know was “Love is blind” because this was usually the answer of my classmates in the slumbook’s “What is Love?” question. :) I remember I once memorized the love chapter when I was in elementary as a requirement in one subject.

But really, what is love? I took note of the definition mentioned in one of the preachings… “Love is more than just a feeling. It is an unconditional commitment towards imperfect people to seek their highest good which oftentimes requires sacrifice.” Woahh! That’s a deep one. Let me share some of my learnings from the whole series, based on my notes…

1) Love is looooooooonnnnnnnnnggggg-suffering. This is how our pastor pronounced it…as in “looooooooooonnnnnnnnnggggggg-suffering” or in simpler term – patient!

2) Love does not seek its own (not selfish or self-seeking). I think some people often use this statement, “if you truly love me….you will blah, blah, blah”. Hello? Love is not selfish or self-seeking nga e. (kinda mataray tone!)

3) Love is not provoked. This one hit me bullseye! Our pastor’s example was something I could really relate to. It’s when you’re driving and someone cuts your way, what will you feel? Do you feel provoked? Oh my, I’m very guilty! Before I thought why some drivers (of jeepney, taxi, etc.) could not keep their “cool” when someone cuts their way. I thought, it’s just a matter of seconds, not a big deal. But wait, when I am the driver myself and someone cuts my way, it’s really a struggle to keep my “cool”. I am tempted to blow the car’s horn too loooonnnggg with matching flashing light and an “angry-look” on my face.

4) Love does not keep a record of wrongs. When someone cuts my way while I’m driving, I have the tendency to remember the plate number and other details of the car. All of a sudden I have photographic memory! My brain cells are working perfectly but I think my blood is simmering! Hehe :)

5) Loving is done without expectation of return. When we expect, oftentimes we will just be disappointed. So just love, love, love without expecting!

6) Love does not rejoices with evil but rejoices with the truth. I think it’s in the book of Proverbs where it says, “Open rebuke is better than secret love”. So speak the truth lovingly and gently.

7) Love bears all things. It’s loving the person for who he is (including the good and the bad in him). “You come loving not a perfect person but loving an imperfect person perfectly.” (I hope I got this quote right!)

That’s it! It all boils down to LOVE! :)

Take It All

After the “have it all” reflection I had before, now comes “take it all”. In the last few weeks, Hillsong United’s “Take It All” is being played over The Edge Radio. Well, the song has an upbeat tempo and a catchy line of “take, take, take it all!” (It’s really nice to watch the MTV of this song… it’s included in the DVD when you buy the album’s CD.)

Oh well, after enjoying the high-adrenaline mood of the song, I stop and think for a while… “Am I really willing to give Him my all?” I was thinking… “Here I am singing the last two lines of the chorus ‘take, take, take it all’ with all of my might and then what if God will really take it all from me… I wonder what would be my response… am I going to ask Him ‘why me, Lord?’ or will I be like Job who said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21)?

Time flies so fast… it’s been a year already when I had a street accident. I still remember that split-second moment when I thought God is taking me already… and all I could say then was “Sorry po!” :) I believe God has a purpose for everything’s happening in our lives. I thank God I’m still alive today and enjoying His abundant grace. I just hope I could watch the Hillsong United Concert here in Manila next month (November 21 to be exact!). :)

Here are the lyrics of my current last song syndrome song…

Take It All

Searching the world
The lost will be found
In freedom we live
As one we cry out
You carried the cross
You died and rose again
My God
I’ll only ever give my all

You sent Your Son
From heaven to earth
You delivered us all
It’s eternally heard
I searched for truth
And all I found was You
My God
I’ll only ever give my all

Jesus we’re living for Your Name
We’ll never be ashamed of You
Whoa o oh
Our praise and all we are today
Take take take it all
Take take take it all

Running to the One
Who heals the blind
Following the shining light
In Your hands
The power to save the world
My life

Takeshi's Castle

It’s been a week since the showing of Takeshi’s Castle in QTV Channel 11. I was still a kid when the first run of this show was aired in IBC Channel 13 few years ago. :) I don’t really know but what I’ve heard is the prize is a whopping amount of 1 million yen! I just thought what is the point of doing all those stunts in exchange for the money or for nothing. In line with this, let me just share this devotional written by a good friend for the devotional book, Word 4U 2Day…

Sep 9 Life does have a point
Written by Marichris Reyes

‘I PRESS ON TOWARDS THE GOAL TO WIN THE PRIZE FOR WHICH GOD HAS CALLED ME…’ PHILIPPIANS 3:14 NIV

Japan has always had a reputation for crazy game shows like ‘Takeshi’s Castle’. The program begins with 100 bonkers contestants all aiming to get through each crazy round in order to storm the castle at the end. Each round generally involves muddy water and normally sees contestants trying to balance on things, hang from things and jump over things. The result is normally that contestants fail quite spectacularly and obviously do themselves a serious injury. Eventually a few make it through to the final and, on the very rare occasion that they successfully storm the castle, receive absolutely nothing!

Many people live their lives as though they are on Takeshi’s castle. They follow the crowd and like the 100 nutty people in the first round run like maniacs to try and be the first to climb a huge slippery wall. No one really knows why they are doing it, but it looks fun so they do it anyway. As life goes on people get more hurt along the way and wonder what the point is. The survivors make it through to the end, battered, bruised, alone and exhausted and win absolutely nothing.

The Bible makes it clear that life does have a point, to know Jesus and make Him known. It’s life lived for an eternal goal and for heavenly rewards. If we live the Jesus life, we won’t get to the end and find we have nothing. But if we go along with the crowd just because that’s what they do and it looks fun, we’re in trouble. Chances are you will get seriously hurt along the way too.

click here to view the devotional's page

"Have it all"

This statement I saw from a cola billboard few weeks ago got stuck in my mind. Because of this, there’s a question hanging in my head… “Can I really have it all?” (I still like the regular cola over the ‘light’ variant… I need all the calories eh… Hehe Ü)

They always say… “You can’t have it all.” But really, “I can’t have it all?” Well, I guess it depends on the context of the last word – “all”. Maybe “all” means all the riches this world can offer. Or maybe a good job + good husband/wife (if you need one?!) + good children + good house + good friends + good family + good food + good/nice car + good/cool gadgets + (basta anything that’s good!!!) == ALL? Hehe I guess if you have these “all” you might think you don’t need God anymore. :) But when you have God, you may feel you “have it all” because you really “have it all”! I don’t know how to explain it further but let me just share some of my “have it all” moments...

…drinking a glass of ice-cold water when I’m really really thirsty
…eating a good breakfast – danggit and fried rice
…sipping hot chocolate one cold rainy morning
…listening to my fave song while driving the car with matching tapping the steering wheel and bobbing my head (take note: driving along a traffic-free road!)
…knowing that your loved ones were safe after a terrible storm
…group hug moments with my family
…meeting my good friends from college whom I haven’t met for a long time
…reviewing for an exam while listening to The Edge Radio over the internet in an air-conditioned room
…eating “binatog” as merienda, I think God reserved the last “binatog” for me because I haven’t eaten it for years (super savoring every spoonful of binatog! God is so gracious!)
…buying books at discounted price in a book fair with a good friend
…re-discovering old cassette tapes with my old favorite songs
…receiving audio/video CDs from a friend (kahit ‘burned’ lang!) :)
…seeing a rare kind of bird visiting our backyard (makes me want to do some bird-watching one of these days!)
…catching my favorite song being played over The Edge Radio and knowing that a friend who likes the song too is listening also
…eating Chickenjoy for lunch with my brother (both of us were really hungry)
…worshiping God freely in this country
…witnessing thousands of people gathered in a coliseum to worship God and knowing that there are thousands more worshiping through the satellite feed
…waking up in the morning knowing that I’m still breathing and alive
…and many many more to come :)

Sometimes I'm just such a "forgetful me!" of God's abundant grace in my life. :)

There’s another similar statement getting stuck in my head lately… but I have to resume my review session…next time na lang! :)

Ganbatte kudasai to me!
Jia you!
:)

how to mend a broken heart

I went to a book fair recently and bought a book with this title, "How to Mend a Broken Heart" by Nelson Dy. It's Mr. Dy's second book after his "Finding Comfort". Basically, the author shared in his book how God saw him through his struggles in mending his broken heart. It's an easy-read...about 133 pages. I liked his one-liners after every chapter. Very honest. It would be interesting to read a book like this from a woman's point of view. Hmmm...

Just want to share a prayer found in the book (page 54)...
"O Lord, You are the One who had mapped out my life. I pray that while my love life is zero, O Lord, turn the page. Since I know that You have plans for me, plans not to harm me, but to give me a future and a hope, I pray may there be someone for me ahead. And as You turn the page of my life, You will smile."

I like the last line... may God smile as he turns the pages of my life. :)

Psalm 23

One of my favorite chapters in the book of Psalms.

Well, I memorized this Psalm since my elementary days. It's amazing how God reminds me of this verses in different instances...

when feeling of discontentment creeps in... The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

when feeling tired and weary... He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside still waters.

when I've tried everything to be refreshed... He restoreth my soul.

when walking alone in a street at night (feeling afraid)... Yea, though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort.

hmmm...I've been thinking when did God reminded me of verse 5... anyway, the phrase "my cup runneth over" reminds me of God's grace, giving us what we do not deserve... and the song "Cry On My Shoulder" by Overflow band.

an awesome statement of David's intimacy with God -- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

It's good to memorize verses because it's so helpful in times of temptation and struggles. I think I need some review on my memory verses and I have to add some more. I lack discipline lately.

ask for more?

Sometimes I tend to think that I deserve more in this life. Thank God He’s quick to bring me back to reality. Who deserves more? I don’t deserve anything but He’s just so gracious allowing me to experience good things…the air that I breathe, my great family, wonderful friends, techie gadgets, cute Suzuki, good books, my favorite comfy rubber slippers, a box of flat tops chocolate, good food – fried tilapia with atsara, ramen noodles, German franks and fried rice, homemade pizza and spag, etc., etc., etc………

Sometimes (or most of the time?) I’m just forgetful to count all the blessings God is giving to me. How great is God’s love lavished on us! What a wonderful God!

Dear Lord, how I long for contentment. Help me to be thankful not only for what I have received, but for what I have escaped. Teach me to think of yesterday without regret and tomorrow without fear as I learn to have an attitude of gratitude. Amen.

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My guitar has no strings now. I decided to remove its more-than-6 years-almost-corroded strings. Nothing is really permanent in this world huh?! Anyway, as I’m looking at my stringless guitar, I thought “what’s the use of having a guitar without strings?” And then God reminded me, “what’s the use of living life without Christ?” :)

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Pics...

Sunset last May 19, 2006...currently my cellphone's wallpaper... hay, how great is our God! :)

Almost full moon last May 10, 2006... another "hay, how great is our God! :)"

"Traffic jam" -- some days I wish I could carry the car in my pocket or have "ala Back To The Future car"... hehe :)

another past-time during heavy traffic -- take some pictures!!!

goodbyes, driving lessons, crying moments, etc...

A week ago a dgroupmate of mine left for States. I was both sad and happy. I'm kinda used to it. We've been praying for it for some time now. Good thing there's the technology of email and text message..."malayo man, malapit din" (sounds like a telecom commercial ü).

End of 1st quarter already. Our Japanese language teachers will be leaving us. Huhuhu. :( They will go to Japan for further studies. I will definitely miss them especially our grammar teacher. It's seldom to find caring teachers nowadays who are passionate in their profession.

I've been driving a car for more than a month now. And I've been learning some driving lessons... be alert, don't forget to look at the side mirrors before changing lanes, don't drive when you're hungry (most likely you'll be hot-tempered and impatient), always wear seatbelt and most of all put on a lot of patience (for pasaway na drivers and traffic jams). There are days when it's like "traffic-jam day". :) Well, I've thought of some things to do during traffic jam... play your favorite song and do some "karaoke" (with matching banging your head and tapping the steering wheel...never mind the people looking at you thinking you're crazy...hehe)... think of brilliant ideas...like "how can you save gas during heavy traffic?" (I thought of having a "Flintstones mode button" where you could stick out your legs on the ground and walk or run with your car during heavy traffic...isn't it gas-saving? hehe). Well, it was said that with great power comes great responsibility (hello, spiderman?). I just thought that being able to drive a car is some kind of a power so every person driving a car has responsibility... that is to drive safely. :)

I have some crying moments recently. The Bible says, "there's time for everything... a time to weep..." Anyway, God is indeed in control and keeps on encouraging us during difficult times. He is seldom early and never late. He encouraged me through Tommy Walker's "He Know My Name" especially the line... "he sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call." I was reminded of Psalm 56:8 "...You have kept a record of my tears..." During my crying moment I heard "Cry On My Shoulder" by Overflow being played over the radio...speaking of God's perfect timing...He's so sweet! :)

Speaking of timing... I'm having some rhinitis attacks lately. I don't know if this was caused by the pollens in the campus...I started to have rhinitis attacks when I was in college due to the pollens in our campus. I have frequent sneezing moments and itchy eyes. Well, I'm staying at home and enjoying my very short vacation. God has just some ways of saying things to us. :)

Let me just share this prayer I've read from a book...
Dear Lord, help me remember that my ways are not always Your ways. Life does not always unfold as I plan or imagine. Help me accept the imperfections, the changes, and the unexpected events that come into my life. Teach me to embrace what I am given, without wasting my time grieving for what might have been. Amen.

various

Exam

Since I left my work two months ago, I've been experiencing new things. Welcome adjustments! I got used to wake up earlier than my usual wake up time. I'm learning to stay awake for a total of 8-hour lecture a day. Adjusting to different personalities of my classmates is another thing. Driving to school is quite a challenge. And most of all, there are inevitable exams! It's like you want to sing James Ingram's "I did my best but my best wasn't good enough.." everytime the test results are posted on the bulletin board. It's like a famous movie title "Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang!" Hehe :) It's just that I thought about God. Thank God for all the new things He's giving me and all the lessons I'm learning from these. Good thing He's a good God. :) I just thought that life is just a series of exams (as what Rick Warren mentioned in The Purpose Driven Life). There are patience exam, love exam, faithfulness exam, kindness exam, etc. And I hope that I would past each and every exam. Hehe :)

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Traffic... Traffic... Traffic...

Patience is a virtue, so they say. Traffic is one of those "patience-busters". I'm getting used to this traffic but it never fails to trigger my not-so-long temper. Hehe :) This afternoon is the traffic-est of all. I tried every route going home from Diliman. Good thing I'm quite familiar with the alternate routes (thanks to our city atlas!). But... it's traffic everywhere! It took me about two hours to go home instead of the usual 1 hour ride. I thought of some wild ideas how to get home faster... I thought it would be better if there's a technology where I could make my car to a pocket-size one so I could put it in my pocket and I will just walk... or I wish there's a technology in the car where there's a button for wings and rocket (ala Back to the Future car!). Hay... I think I went home not losing my sanity thinking of ways to get home faster. Hehe :)

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Nihongo

If there's one subject I'm enjoying the most this quarter.... it's quite unexpected but it's my Japanese class every morning. Haha, I expected it to be difficult at first but so far I'm enjoying... So desu ka! I think there's a teacher factor also. I appreciate my Japanese language teachers. It's like I want to be a teacher also! Hehe :)

It's quite difficult and so my other subjects but... Ganbatte kudasai! :)