Wow! Four entries in the top 15. Not too shabby =D
Patintera is busy navigating the corporate world at the moment.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
SHRINK RAP ::: Learning ABCs All Over
It's greatly encouraging to realize God isn't random. And there's no such thing as Margin of Error with him either because every single detail of our lives counts. Each section is a thread that completes the story of the tapestry...
And you're still reading. Okay! Great. =D
One of the greatest things that came out of this whole experience is it gave me the luxury of time to know God on a deeper level through prayer and studying the bible. Not that there wasn't ever any opportunity for that because, by George, every breathing moment is one, but (surprise!) I just didn't make it my priority. I went there wanting to hit the ground running while my loose ends were asking for a train wreck. So God put me on the "Israel in the wilderness" program. Hehe!
The thing is even though I grew up just like any Christian kid--a Sunday school-bred, outreach-exposed youth camp alumni--I can't say I went through it all completely on my own volition. Yes, the benefits of spending time with God worked for me nicely but I merely rushed through them instead of delighting in every moment.
Throughout the whole winnowing process, I realized I had my faith in the wrong place. This was the biggest reason to why everything I tried was one huge upset after another. Even if I strained every muscle in my body for my goal, a hamster on a wheel with one leg would have accomplished far greater. That's because apart from God, I am and can do absolutely nothing. Thank God I realized this! I mean I finally really absorbed it as burning truth, not just some nifty aphorism.
I am enjoying this uplifted spirit beyond expectations and my hunger for the message (nb: not just "the word") has been restored. Never in my life have I been more seeking, more engrossed, more reliant, and more excited about what God wants to teach me than right now. By the way, the Saturn return doesn't have anything to do with this so I'm not even gonna bother with the bogus. But yeah, it's a privilege to sit at Jesus' feet and be blessed each time with invaluable wisdom (not dogma) that no stuffy, centuries-old university could offer. You cannot go wrong with this transaction. His value proposition? True lasting peace.
Don't get me wrong if I seem enraptured silly because the lesson in patience continues and I'm still a work in progress. When things go wrong or don't meet my expectations, I see my crabby self jumping into DEFCON 1 instead of prayer. Like many, I am of the subconscious mentality that prayer is a side order or, much less, a garnish when it's actually the entree. You can be sure this is one aspect of me that I surrender to him moment by moment.
There is a long list of matters which I've been taking to God in prayer and he's been showing me the purpose and beauty of his ways. He diligently helps me understand how and where I'm wrong; to face my shortcomings and make corrections instead of burying my head in the sand. In short, deny myself and go with what is right in his eyes. With this in heart and mind, I'll continue to wait on the Lord in the hope that I am becoming a better Christian, a better human being each day.
And you're still reading. Okay! Great. =D
One of the greatest things that came out of this whole experience is it gave me the luxury of time to know God on a deeper level through prayer and studying the bible. Not that there wasn't ever any opportunity for that because, by George, every breathing moment is one, but (surprise!) I just didn't make it my priority. I went there wanting to hit the ground running while my loose ends were asking for a train wreck. So God put me on the "Israel in the wilderness" program. Hehe!
The thing is even though I grew up just like any Christian kid--a Sunday school-bred, outreach-exposed youth camp alumni--I can't say I went through it all completely on my own volition. Yes, the benefits of spending time with God worked for me nicely but I merely rushed through them instead of delighting in every moment.
Throughout the whole winnowing process, I realized I had my faith in the wrong place. This was the biggest reason to why everything I tried was one huge upset after another. Even if I strained every muscle in my body for my goal, a hamster on a wheel with one leg would have accomplished far greater. That's because apart from God, I am and can do absolutely nothing. Thank God I realized this! I mean I finally really absorbed it as burning truth, not just some nifty aphorism.
I am enjoying this uplifted spirit beyond expectations and my hunger for the message (nb: not just "the word") has been restored. Never in my life have I been more seeking, more engrossed, more reliant, and more excited about what God wants to teach me than right now. By the way, the Saturn return doesn't have anything to do with this so I'm not even gonna bother with the bogus. But yeah, it's a privilege to sit at Jesus' feet and be blessed each time with invaluable wisdom (not dogma) that no stuffy, centuries-old university could offer. You cannot go wrong with this transaction. His value proposition? True lasting peace.
Don't get me wrong if I seem enraptured silly because the lesson in patience continues and I'm still a work in progress. When things go wrong or don't meet my expectations, I see my crabby self jumping into DEFCON 1 instead of prayer. Like many, I am of the subconscious mentality that prayer is a side order or, much less, a garnish when it's actually the entree. You can be sure this is one aspect of me that I surrender to him moment by moment.
There is a long list of matters which I've been taking to God in prayer and he's been showing me the purpose and beauty of his ways. He diligently helps me understand how and where I'm wrong; to face my shortcomings and make corrections instead of burying my head in the sand. In short, deny myself and go with what is right in his eyes. With this in heart and mind, I'll continue to wait on the Lord in the hope that I am becoming a better Christian, a better human being each day.
Mt. 16:24-26 (The Message)
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
U2 ::: The Hewson Phone is Busy
Remember Elliott's reaction when he saw E.T.'s heart glowing? "Aah!!!! He's alive!!!"
Was gonna wait till tonight to find out what they performed at the AI finals. Then this bit of information gets in my face: David Cook sang "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". What?!
Grabe. Strike 3! Hello (my favorite Lionel song), Billie Jean (by MJ, no explanation necessary), and now this. I mean that's only my favorite U2 song--ever! All right, that's it. I've been playing it cool with this guy but he keeps getting to me. I officially love David Cook na nga rin. Tsk!
Was gonna wait till tonight to find out what they performed at the AI finals. Then this bit of information gets in my face: David Cook sang "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". What?!
Grabe. Strike 3! Hello (my favorite Lionel song), Billie Jean (by MJ, no explanation necessary), and now this. I mean that's only my favorite U2 song--ever! All right, that's it. I've been playing it cool with this guy but he keeps getting to me. I officially love David Cook na nga rin. Tsk!
Only to be with you...only to be with you!
If I die tonight after seeing that part of the show, I bequeath all my belongings to charity. Seriously, I just know I'm going have some kind of "experience" when I stand in front of the TV for this performance. OA ba? Wala eh. There are no words to describe this situation except to say it's U2 and the heathen.
I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing fingertips
It burned like a fire
This burning desire
I have spoke with the tongues of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I believe in the Kingdom Come
When all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well, yes I'm still running
You broke the bonds
And you loosened the chains
Carried the cross
Of all my shame
all my shame
You know I believe it
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
You won't believe my goosebumps when I was watching the clip online. I'm glad he used the gospel angle of the song, too, which probably means he sat down to watch the concert videos.
No question on who's got the influential U2 vote now. We can really swing this.
Um...riiight. =D
I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing fingertips
It burned like a fire
This burning desire
I have spoke with the tongues of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I believe in the Kingdom Come
When all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well, yes I'm still running
You broke the bonds
And you loosened the chains
Carried the cross
Of all my shame
all my shame
You know I believe it
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
You won't believe my goosebumps when I was watching the clip online. I'm glad he used the gospel angle of the song, too, which probably means he sat down to watch the concert videos.
No question on who's got the influential U2 vote now. We can really swing this.
Um...riiight. =D
Monday, May 19, 2008
RIGHT BRAIN ::: Finalmente!
* * *
I'm inclined to think last night's GMA 7 documentary "Sisid" had something to do with this movement so thank you, mga Kanguso. However, I must say I'm not a fan of GMA entertainment, what with wannabes like Louie Ignacio at the helm whose propensity for the garish and ostentatious would make Liberace cringe! It has reached terminal level na, I tell you.
But I digress. I do have enormous respect for GMA News and Public Affairs so mad props to them for this effort.
Monday, May 12, 2008
BACK BITES ::: Mababang Paaralan ng Imus Pilot
The month of May and its onslaught of late afternoon rains always take me back to the days when they gave me a skewed sense of dread. This was when I was in public school as a child growing up in the 80s and my mother would start talking about the coming school year to us three kids.
"O, pasukan nyo na sa June 5. Kailangan magsanay na kayong matulog nang maaga," she would remind us dutifully when it hit her that April had passed.
Year after year, though, variations of that speech fell on deaf ears. No, we never wanted to go to bed early; no, we didn't feel tired at 8 p.m. We'd be up till dawn talking about toys and games, trips to Pasig, cartoons, episodes of Jennifer Slept Here, Automan, The Greatest American Hero, or any of them sitcoms we couldn't stay up for to watch religiously because they were on past our "bedtime".
Anyway, I'll be first to admit I never got excited about going to school because I didn't like schedules (still don't) and was deathly afraid of the teachers or any other grown-up in authority for that matter. Oddly enough, my elementary school years from 1984 to 1990 were probably the happiest days of my life because outside the classroom, being in public school allowed me to experience unfiltered diversity.
Unscrupulous encyclopedia salesmen, loonies on the lose climbing up the concrete water tank or eating flowers in the garden, interminable batches of visitors from out of town using your classroom as their dorm--every social (and psychological) background made their presence known in Pilot. And that's just the teaching staff. =D
The streetgames were pure joy, too. As soon as class was done (and cleaners' duty), we'd be out on the green sweating from dodgeball or langit-lupa, acting out crazy plays on this bridge over a small pond with a giant kabibe on the center, or getting lost in the sprawling property that is Imus Pilot Elementary School. That last one would chiefly be me since I was always wandering off into neverland in search of hidden passages. No kidding. It's funny to realize now that I-P-E-S really had the ideal landscaping for children raised on television. The whole place was like a Hollywood backlot.
Speaking of which, morning recess was always a challenge as hundreds of kids would squeeze into Canteen 1, all wanting the same thing at the same time. So everyday at 9 a.m., a scene from The Ten Commandments would be re-enacted in that hall. That or the Feeding of the Multitude.
When the children of the corn have filled their pits, the place would mellow back into a lounge where the parents would gossip about so-and-so's kid. This notwithstanding, I always wished my mother would be there, too. But I'm glad she wasn't or I'd never have been able to outgrow my crying. Yes, I also cried each time my mother would drop me off in the classroom. Of course, I would eventually stop the habit...right around the -ber months I should say.
(To be continued)
"O, pasukan nyo na sa June 5. Kailangan magsanay na kayong matulog nang maaga," she would remind us dutifully when it hit her that April had passed.
Year after year, though, variations of that speech fell on deaf ears. No, we never wanted to go to bed early; no, we didn't feel tired at 8 p.m. We'd be up till dawn talking about toys and games, trips to Pasig, cartoons, episodes of Jennifer Slept Here, Automan, The Greatest American Hero, or any of them sitcoms we couldn't stay up for to watch religiously because they were on past our "bedtime".
Anyway, I'll be first to admit I never got excited about going to school because I didn't like schedules (still don't) and was deathly afraid of the teachers or any other grown-up in authority for that matter. Oddly enough, my elementary school years from 1984 to 1990 were probably the happiest days of my life because outside the classroom, being in public school allowed me to experience unfiltered diversity.
Unscrupulous encyclopedia salesmen, loonies on the lose climbing up the concrete water tank or eating flowers in the garden, interminable batches of visitors from out of town using your classroom as their dorm--every social (and psychological) background made their presence known in Pilot. And that's just the teaching staff. =D
The streetgames were pure joy, too. As soon as class was done (and cleaners' duty), we'd be out on the green sweating from dodgeball or langit-lupa, acting out crazy plays on this bridge over a small pond with a giant kabibe on the center, or getting lost in the sprawling property that is Imus Pilot Elementary School. That last one would chiefly be me since I was always wandering off into neverland in search of hidden passages. No kidding. It's funny to realize now that I-P-E-S really had the ideal landscaping for children raised on television. The whole place was like a Hollywood backlot.
Speaking of which, morning recess was always a challenge as hundreds of kids would squeeze into Canteen 1, all wanting the same thing at the same time. So everyday at 9 a.m., a scene from The Ten Commandments would be re-enacted in that hall. That or the Feeding of the Multitude.
When the children of the corn have filled their pits, the place would mellow back into a lounge where the parents would gossip about so-and-so's kid. This notwithstanding, I always wished my mother would be there, too. But I'm glad she wasn't or I'd never have been able to outgrow my crying. Yes, I also cried each time my mother would drop me off in the classroom. Of course, I would eventually stop the habit...right around the -ber months I should say.
(To be continued)
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
RIGHT BRAIN ::: This Grace Full
Grace is an undeserved gift and there ain't nobody more undeserving than yours truly. Yet here I am, completely blown away by this unraveling. With my glaring feebleness, mental and otherwise, you've shown me how you can make the current bend! I can only stand amazed by your love. My heart is riding the waves and I am humbled yet again. Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!
The past week felt like Apollo 13. Specifically, that part of the movie when they drifted to the dark side of the moon and they lost all communication. All they had was hope that the moon's gravity would carry the ship around to the other side. Of course, we know it did and they got back to Earth, etc. Only difference with my situation is I had no elaborate calculations to speak of. I wouldn't even attempt lest I get splut.
So now it can be said. We're not stuck in first gear anymore. Quinta na 'to, pare, and I pray God's wisdom will resonate in the way I respond to the tricks and traps along the way. I still have fears and doubts but a sheep to my shepherd I am and will always be. That's how I know I won't get lost.I will stand on grace.
Song break!
The past week felt like Apollo 13. Specifically, that part of the movie when they drifted to the dark side of the moon and they lost all communication. All they had was hope that the moon's gravity would carry the ship around to the other side. Of course, we know it did and they got back to Earth, etc. Only difference with my situation is I had no elaborate calculations to speak of. I wouldn't even attempt lest I get splut.
So now it can be said. We're not stuck in first gear anymore. Quinta na 'to, pare, and I pray God's wisdom will resonate in the way I respond to the tricks and traps along the way. I still have fears and doubts but a sheep to my shepherd I am and will always be. That's how I know I won't get lost.I will stand on grace.
Song break!
Here With Me
(T. Arbuckle/T. Beaty/M. Bronleewe/M. Stanfield)
Plumb - Candycoatedwaterdrops
(T. Arbuckle/T. Beaty/M. Bronleewe/M. Stanfield)
Plumb - Candycoatedwaterdrops
In my head I have dreams
I have visions of many things
Questions, longings in my mind
Pictures fill my head
I feel so trapped instead but
Trapped doesn't seem so bad
'Cause You are here
It doesn't mean anything
Without You here with me
And I can try to justify
But I still need You here with me
In my heart I had hope
Built on dreams I'll never know
Answers to love left behind
Visions filled my head
I felt so trapped instead but
Trapped didn't seem so bad
'Cause You were near
I can't do anything without You
You give me strength to do anything
I can't be everything I try to
You saved me from the everything
I couldn't be
It doesn't mean anything
Without You here with me
'Cause after all is said and done
I still need You here with me
Need You here with me
I need You here with me
I have visions of many things
Questions, longings in my mind
Pictures fill my head
I feel so trapped instead but
Trapped doesn't seem so bad
'Cause You are here
It doesn't mean anything
Without You here with me
And I can try to justify
But I still need You here with me
In my heart I had hope
Built on dreams I'll never know
Answers to love left behind
Visions filled my head
I felt so trapped instead but
Trapped didn't seem so bad
'Cause You were near
I can't do anything without You
You give me strength to do anything
I can't be everything I try to
You saved me from the everything
I couldn't be
It doesn't mean anything
Without You here with me
'Cause after all is said and done
I still need You here with me
Need You here with me
I need You here with me
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