[Blog] The Formidable Paul

"In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord", he answered. The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying." (Acts 9:10-11).

Jesus died for our salvation and sealed the deal of life everlasting with Him. But a lot of us have doubts if one person is indeed saved and has been changed by Jesus especially if we know them and their past. This is what happened to Paul. Reading his story, Paul is dubbed to be a murderer of Christ's believers. His name resonates in all of Jerusalem as he already killed so many of them until one day, the Lord Jesus spoke to him under a bright light having all of his fellas with him witnessing that momentous, jaw-dropping and dumbfounding event. But the Lord really has a plan for him and He said on verse 15:

"But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel."

But that did not end there. Paul did not just gain his sight back but has received Christ as his Lord and Savior. From that point on, he has been very bold in proclaiming the new life that was given to him. The once before persecutor of Christ and His people is now the one boldy teaching His word and His goodness to a lot of people. Remember, God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. He is the only one who can say who is chosen and Paul is one of them. In his boldness, Paul wrote epistles to the Romans, the Corinthians, the Galatians, the Philippians and the Philemon. Christ has become his boldness! Since he has been saved and has experienced miracle from Him, he did not have second thoughts of proclaiming God's goodness overall. But let me remind you, he was once a sinner but God named him as His chosen one who will speak before the Gentiles and their kings.

Did we ever ask ourselves if we have been bold enough to proclaim God's goodness in our lives? Or do we still feel defeated knowing that we are sinners and those that we have committed in the past still has a hold on us? God did not send His only Son to put up a show. He has sent His only Son to save us from the pit. Death has no more sting on us anymore and its sting is sin so if Christ is living in us, there is no doubt that we can live a life of victory and His grace is sufficient for us. Don't keep yourself locked in your room so that no one can see you reading your Bible or you're ashamed to be called Christians. Take Paul as an example of someone who has found boldness in Christ. It's not too late to accept Him in your lives. Take heart, go, proclaim His goodness to the ends of the earth.

[Blog] A Resurrected Life

"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised." (1 Corinthians 15:12-13).

I have been to a number of funerals in the past already and I assume a lot of you have as well. Did it ever cross in your mind what if that dead person awakens and rise from his coffin? Will you run away? If you ask me, of course I would! Who wouldn't be afraid of a dead person came to life right before our eyes? But I am very sure that no matter how scary this picture may be, to his family, it will be a celebrtion eventually for they would be able to celebrate life with him once more.

Do you see the picture? No, not the running and the screaming part but the joy that has been brought to the family's life when that dead man came to life again. That joy that even the greatest painter cannot put that kind of gladness and happiness - such a celebration - on a canvass. That's the perfect picture of the good news of His resurrection. We should be filled with joy, happiness, gladness, celebration for the One who was foretold to be our Savior will rise from the dead who will turn our sins as red as crimson to us being as white as snow.

In verse 17:

"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."

and in verse 22

"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."

Do you see the picture? We all have been born with sin because of the very first couple - Adam and Eve - and this has been a stronghold as a curse from generation to generation. We need something stronger to break this curse then came Christ. By His resurrection, we are made alive again - living in no shame with all our sins washed away by His blood. We are new creations - the old has gone, the new has come. By His resurrection, we are no more in our sins.

So celebrate our new life with Him. Christ did not remain dead -- He defeated death then came to life again and lives eternally with the Father in heaven -- that's the truth. Let us be thankful that we have a God who assures us of life everlasting through Christ's resurrection. Rejoice!

[Poem] Aking AMA

Isang hapong malamlam,
Na ang araw ay hindi matanaw,
Samu't sari sa aking balintataw,
Alaala ng kahapong wari'y nais nang maparam.

Madalas sa isipa'y sumasagi,
Aking buhay yaring ibahagi,
Sa kung sinumang nais pumawi,
Ng lungkot sa mukha ay nakaguhit.

Taon ay lumipas,
Waring kahapon ay kay layong binagtas,
Pusong sawi sumuko at napagal,
Na ang buhay minsa'y inibig nang mapigtal.

Ngunit nang Ika'y lumapit,
Iyong sabi'y sa Iyong kamay ay kumapit,
Ako'y sumunod na pawang nabatubalani,
Patungong daang matuwid ito'y aking batid.

Ikaw na nga, Ikaw na,
Ang pinakahihintay ng aking tadhana!
Kulang man ako sa Iyo'y haharap,
Walang katumbas ang buhay sa Iyo ay nahagap.

Panginoon ako'y Iyong patawarin,
Sa mga kasalanang hindi ninais hangarin,
Taglay sa puso ako'y Iyong mapansin,
Nang mapawi lahat yaring isipin.

O Ama kay buti Mo,
Buhay ng Iyong Anak ay isinugo,
Upang kaming uhaw at tuyo,
Ay mailigtas, bagaman kulang, Iyo pa ring binuo.

[Poem] Out from the gut

Morning sun shines the night passed
Of the same light that tucks you to sleep tight.
As I get through the day and wait for Mr. Moon
Thoughts of life just got me so swooned.

How opposite lives can be
Like I am here and there is Thee.
The future the mind has conceived
Are plainly just a make believe.

The night sky is ebony
Studded with stars so glittery.
Moon lit the serene water
As tears show like spilling from the gutter.

I am alone on my own
Travelling roads of the unknown
Blindly, there steps I took
Image bruised at the mirror I look.

Why the sudden feeling arouse
Like a newly put up and painted house?
A faith deeply founded on a Rock
With promises that no one can mock.

A grin I give like a crack on the face
As I bow my head in deep solace.
You spoke to me, to my heart it pierced
You etched Your love in my heart that grieved.

You are always on time
Just before I slid in slime.
A planned destiny You prepped for me
Even before I was knit in mom's tummy.

This walk ain't easy as I thought
For trials arise this world has brought.
Storm proof life surely You promised
To enjoy provisions and not be missed.

[Poem] What life is...

Life is a big deal
So big you can't even feel
Tip of your fingers touching
Hugging its fullness been trying.

Life is a reflection
Of what we make out of it
No matter how we believe it will be
And how we believe it can be.

Life is an illusion
Of what in our mind we conceive
Whether we get ourselves into it
Or scream running out of it.

But You came to me with a lampstand
To shine the alley of once dark side
So I can travel the road you prepped up
Only for me where light doesn't run out.

It was blinding
So wonderfully blinding
The light You brought to my life
Promised living of no strife.

There's no one like You
No one else but You
Nobody deserve all my praise but You
All my love, I thank You.

[Blog] Our purpose on HIM

What is your purpose? Of your existence? Of your life? It sounds easy to answer right but it really isn't. But what is purpose really? As per the dictionary, the purpose of something is the reason for which it is made or done. So what is the reason why we were made? Sometimes when things don't go the way we want it, we question why did God create us when we don't know our purpose or reason of existence. But did we ask God to reveal His purpose in our lives? We oftentimes miss this step - asking God.

When we say asking, it is not simply just telling Him and that's it. We must earnestly seek Him and His wisdom so His plans may be known to us. The problem with us is that we want to get things our way that's why we end up tired, weary and worn out just to get to where we want to be. There are even times when we end the day frustrated because we want to stretch more of us yet it ain't working still. Why do we get frustrated in the first place? I may say because where we are currently in is not what God intended and planned for us.

Recently, I was asked by a friend: "what do you really want to do?" It mummed me for a bit while. Yes, I was mummed because I dunno what to say. I told her, if not for my responsibility, I will live a simple life. Yes, I have big dreams but living a simple and decent life that is pleasing to God is not bad either. This is also our society's sickness - heirarchy. We tend to look at ourselves down because we are a person of no title. No tag at the end of our names such as MD, RN, EdD etc. But these should not define who we are for if we are stripped off it, then we would feel worthless.

The challenge right now is how long would we hold on to Him til His purpose is known to us? With the world's demands and pressure, I would say that it is not far from reality that our faith sometimes gets shaky whenever our dreams frustrate us. But how can this be avoided? Be still, pray and remain in great expectation of God's revelation of Himself and His purpose for you. Until then, are you ready? Will you ever be ready for His revelation? This is not an easy task to do. Waiting for something you do not know what it is and when is it coming.

This indeed is hard esp if we don't anchor our dreams and heart's desires on God. I am not perfect nor I pose to be righteous but this is a confession of how I have lived a life based on the world's standard. I may have episodes of unbelief in God's power that things will get better in His time which results to impatience then frustration. I may have slipped from God's grip at one point in time but His other hand catches me so my future will still be secured in Him. This God I am boasting about does not get tired of planning for each of us even before our birth. His plans are made perfect for us. Be still. There is something grand for us. In great expectation of His plans.

[Poem] Amazing as You are

I saw myself there
Where my foot was bare
Feeling mud under it
Just like dirt on a pit.

I was in the dark for years
Those dreadful years of tears
Where I feel well on everything
Until they begin to get me thinking.

Why do I feel left out?
As if I'm alone in the desert with drought.
Why do I feel unloved?
And no one thinks I'm beloved.

Why do I feel unimportant?
That makes me feel so stagnant.
Why do I feel less blessed?
While eveyone is being raised.

One day I saw the light
A light so bright
That blinds me to fright
And fought my might.

That was the start of it
As if I were an engine full of gas in it
My life is like a car in race
To finish it even if it's in a maze.

My life is not perfect
It's like an ongoing project
Of what God wants me to finish
And what He needs in me to abolish.

I'm at awe and amazed
On how God lit my mind in a blaze
I promise to shine the same light
So people will see this even in plight.

Amazing as You are, oh God
Our sins had been washed by Your blood.
You gave Your life for our victory
So we can live it in celebratory.