Psalm 52
Why do you boast of evil, you might man?
Why do you boast all day long,
you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
Your tongue plots destruction;
it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit.
You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth.
You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!
Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent;
he will uproot you from the land of the living.
The righteous will see and fear;
they will laugh at him, saying,
“Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!”
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever.
I will praise you forever for what you have done;
in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
an encounter with the devil
don't get me wrong! i did not have an encounter with the devil himself. but probably an apprentice, spreading evil deeds.
we were having a good time when it suddenly felt warm. actually, warm is an understatement, more like scorching hot is the term i'm looking for. i was forcing the rest of my lunch down my throat but couldn't. so, i asked everyone to pack away and ready to leave.
the rest of the day was a true test of what i have learned in my past prayer groups. the first time i ever joined, the topic was on forgiveness. after the bible reading, i asked the pastor, how can you forgive someone who is not asking for forgiveness? nor feel any remorse for what has happened? the answer was presented to me in a very clear way... forgiveness is not about the other party... it's about you... yes, it's about me. it does not have anything to do with the aggressor...or in this case, the devil. once, i have learned to forgive, i will be able to break away from my self-made cage, release all my anger and continue my work as a child of God. and that i am working on right now... but still a work in progress, i admit.
i know that forgiveness will come...in God's grace. but i also know that things have forever changed. old relationships are closed. new relationships may open, but remain to be uncertain. we are, in fact, intelligent beings who do not go back to a burning flame once you're hurt pretty bad.... that's how He made us so.
it's just sad because i had to lose a relationship that has been with me since my childhood and through all our family trials... but that is life and i guess another thing to ask for aside from forgiveness...is acceptance.
we were having a good time when it suddenly felt warm. actually, warm is an understatement, more like scorching hot is the term i'm looking for. i was forcing the rest of my lunch down my throat but couldn't. so, i asked everyone to pack away and ready to leave.
the rest of the day was a true test of what i have learned in my past prayer groups. the first time i ever joined, the topic was on forgiveness. after the bible reading, i asked the pastor, how can you forgive someone who is not asking for forgiveness? nor feel any remorse for what has happened? the answer was presented to me in a very clear way... forgiveness is not about the other party... it's about you... yes, it's about me. it does not have anything to do with the aggressor...or in this case, the devil. once, i have learned to forgive, i will be able to break away from my self-made cage, release all my anger and continue my work as a child of God. and that i am working on right now... but still a work in progress, i admit.
i know that forgiveness will come...in God's grace. but i also know that things have forever changed. old relationships are closed. new relationships may open, but remain to be uncertain. we are, in fact, intelligent beings who do not go back to a burning flame once you're hurt pretty bad.... that's how He made us so.
it's just sad because i had to lose a relationship that has been with me since my childhood and through all our family trials... but that is life and i guess another thing to ask for aside from forgiveness...is acceptance.
changes...constant in life
the only constant thing in life is change...
without change, you are a decaying being!
it is true! that is why even our faith tells us to be detached...from all wordly things.
we, as a family, are embarking on milestones... in a nutshell, we are selling the house, moving to a condo, preparing for migrating. alongside that, we have moved to a new church and getting a new car soon! ira and tristan's adoption to being true yabot kids are well underway too...
definitely, excitement is in the air. but we can't erase some hesitation, anticipation and anxiety as well. every now and then, i look at our house and remember that this is mike & mine's 1st house, designed and built by ourselves, all that joy, hardship, disagreements, trials, problems etc... i will definitely miss my kitchen, my workspace, built in cooking equipment. i just try to remind myself of all the positive things... nearer csa & makati (less gasoline and no more toll fees), smaller house means smaller place to maintain and lower overhead cost, nice recreational are (pool, clubhouse, the works!) and of course, the ultimate goal... going to canada!
why? don't we love the philippines? that is not true. we are in fact true filipinos. however, our love for country is small compared to our love for our children. and we believe that they will have better shots at the future in another place. if we are selfish to just think of ourselves, we will never decide to leave. we are living a comfortable life, have helpers to do the housework, have good vacation spots and excellent weather for leisure... but again, our priority is to give the kids their best future :)
i am so happy with where we are now. there are some sad parts which i have decided to close already. i've done my efforts yet no response. so i guess HE is telling me now to move on and live our lives to the fullest possible... and we are taking that cue :)
without change, you are a decaying being!
it is true! that is why even our faith tells us to be detached...from all wordly things.
we, as a family, are embarking on milestones... in a nutshell, we are selling the house, moving to a condo, preparing for migrating. alongside that, we have moved to a new church and getting a new car soon! ira and tristan's adoption to being true yabot kids are well underway too...
definitely, excitement is in the air. but we can't erase some hesitation, anticipation and anxiety as well. every now and then, i look at our house and remember that this is mike & mine's 1st house, designed and built by ourselves, all that joy, hardship, disagreements, trials, problems etc... i will definitely miss my kitchen, my workspace, built in cooking equipment. i just try to remind myself of all the positive things... nearer csa & makati (less gasoline and no more toll fees), smaller house means smaller place to maintain and lower overhead cost, nice recreational are (pool, clubhouse, the works!) and of course, the ultimate goal... going to canada!
why? don't we love the philippines? that is not true. we are in fact true filipinos. however, our love for country is small compared to our love for our children. and we believe that they will have better shots at the future in another place. if we are selfish to just think of ourselves, we will never decide to leave. we are living a comfortable life, have helpers to do the housework, have good vacation spots and excellent weather for leisure... but again, our priority is to give the kids their best future :)
i am so happy with where we are now. there are some sad parts which i have decided to close already. i've done my efforts yet no response. so i guess HE is telling me now to move on and live our lives to the fullest possible... and we are taking that cue :)
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