"Nothing is Happenstance..."

"Nothing is happenstance..."

 I believe that everything happens for a reason...
When my dad died from a hard fall that caused him his life, we were all in state of shock. And it would be for several years before healing has begun.

Days before my dad's passing, he cleaned out everything in his backyard; uprooted some bushes and trees that were withering, discarded stuff away from his shed like somehow he knew he got about 72 hours left to live. The night he died, it was a picture of a dark, blistering, freezing winter of December 9, 2005.

Because of how it happened, we had to pull together as a family and set aside individual differences of personal opinions among us. That was the very first funeral in the family. There was no such thing as the right words to say when you're mourning. A bucket of tears was shed, the pain sometimes is almost unbearable, a wrecking spirit ensued. It was a very long process for all of us before we have come into realization that the only acceptable reason we can confide in ourselves was God's higher purpose.

Thus, it was very important that we are a family of faith that God, through it all, He is the Almighty...We have to decide that we may not know the reasons why things happen so untimely, we have to put our trust in Him. We have to let Him be our Sovereign Father in our life. I know that's hard to do because we're all weak and sinners. We're always surrounded and bombarded with so many choices and with so many rights. It's mind-blowing how some people could make their claims outside the Word of God. That's wild trappings...

Guideposts is one of the magazines I read from cover to cover. "It's a monthly inspirational, interfaith, nonprofit magazine written by people from all walks of life. Its articles help readers achieve their maximum personal and spiritual potential." Today it felt compelling n my spirit to read all the articles. Something revelatory happened while I was reading up to the point where I felt so guilty for not being more audacious in a good way to do something bigger and challenging. I have allowed myself in a state of dormancy by creating dreams with the wrong souls and I only have myself to blame. But that's over now...We all have different lessons to learn from. And you know when you've really learned that lesson. That's between you and God and His grace.
  
One thing I want to reiterate is that: when you finally learned your lesson you feel completely free, and freedom has a new meaning which is forgiveness and acceptance of what you've done wrong and God is now the shepherd of your life. "And that you you are His sheep and you know His voice."What an assurance.

Now I get to choose how I embark a new journey, a new road. It may be a road less traveled but that's the path I'm taking. I know that the travelers on that path are willing to reach the end  with me...

Thanks for reading and till tomorrow.

"The Gift of Deliverance"

The Gift Of Deliverance...

I've noticed Today that I'm beginning to experience the effect of fasting. I committed myself to miss lunch for 21days. And if you're working, there are some issues. When your flesh is vexed with physical hunger, you want to lie down in the comfort of your own bed or couch and read your  Bible and start praying to God for spiritual strength and deliverance from temptation to give in for your appetite.

The realization that when you're hungry, your sense of focus towards learning/relating and communicating  yourself to others may be weakened; even jeopardized. Remember the story of Jacob and his older brother Esau in the Bible. Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew in exchange of Esau's first-born birthright. And just for a bowl of soup to satisfy his hunger temporarily, Esau sold his birthright. I bet Esau was so remorseful and hated himself realizing the magnanimity of his birthright.

I'm just saying that hunger alone can provoke somebody to make irreconcilable choices. And if your heart and mind are not framed and grounded with the truth of God, you and I are bound to fail. We need to quote, meditate on scriptures that would sustain the forefront of our faith.

We need to be delivered from feeling small, defeated and victimized by half-truths and notions of relativity. When we do, we're giving the devil a stronghold in our way of thinking. Satan will make things look like half-truths and relativism are acceptable. But in God's Word, these notions are an invitation for sin.

In Matthew 4:4; Jesus answered, "It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but every word that comes from the mouth of God." I am believing that I can do this. That this is not even a sacrifice on my part. If I have to live the rest of my life on this earth, let it be that the truth of His Word will follow me, and lead me to Heaven's gate. 

My gift of deliverance: Just like the song "Oceans by Hillsong; "Let me walk upon the waters and takes me deeper where my feet ever wanders; and keep my eyes above the waves."
But only in His presence that I'm delivered in my prayer, in fasting and in my moment of weakness.

I should not be focusing in my human flaws but in the strength and power of the One that I'm praying to for petitions in my life; my sons, family, friends and  especially spiritual men and women of God whom he called and anointed to preach His gospel of Truth of eternal salvation; Heaven and Hell. Also praying for marriages under God's covenant to get strengthened and unified. You know, Family is the catalyst for every foundation the world has ever known. Take care of your family. Make time for your family. Do things for them. Distance should not deter you from expressing your love for them. 

So I should meditate on this scripture: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians6:11 (KJV) I'm aware that in embarking good resolutions; keeping them is not easy. There will be encounters as tests of your character but "God is with you, who can be against you." (Romans 8:31) So, why are we sometimes putting such burdens on ourselves that are self defeating. Isn't  it that we're already victorious and more than conquerors just accepting Him as our personal Savior & Lord?

Thanks for reading...Till tomorrow.

"Happy Three Kings"

"Happy Three Kings' Day"

 So Back to Work Today...I think I've greeted at least  a dozen of  my co-educators, teachers & colleagues, Happy New Year; Happy Three Kings. To some, the latter didn't seem to resonate with them anymore. They may not even remember the three kings' names not unless they have a Bible background, or was a regular in a Sunday school. If ever they paid attention to my reaction to their seemingly odd facial expression, I was somehow disconcerted. I think that's what I get for expecting too much from people or just maybe that that we used to celebrate in reverence is no longer a "hype."

Taking Down The Christmas Decors...

This year I dare to do things slightly different and see whether that brings me more creativity in my thinking and work. Doing something new is always a good challenge; a workout. So, this year, 2014, I decided to keep my Christmas decorations till today. My mom's analogy on this is to fully embrace the completion of the entire Christmas/ New Year's celebration. And the blessings will also come in full circles. That may be true but  that's primarily the reason I waited. I just want accessibility, feasibility and where that takes me. Enjoy its every moment that I am a part of it...

Keeping Tract Of My Time...

I'm keeping a log & journal of all my activities. I want to have a clear picture where my time is going. This includes even my time writing a blog for 31 days; networking, watching television shows, reading, exercising; "people to see and places to go." I'm sure I'll be finding that some of the things that I'm doing are off my core objectives. I just want to identify them concretely through chronicling data of how my time is being spent. With that analysis drawn after reviewing them, that will reveal where my disconnects were...
It could have been that one of the major issues for not achieving a unified pace is setting boundaries. There are still many times that I let people invade my time and space. Or worst, not setting higher goals for myself. May be because you don't see many people going  and chasing for their dreams anymore. Some of us have lagged for so long we think we're okay. We're so confined with the parameters the society has embellished into our minds  devalued, downsized, mitigated integrity.
I really wish I'm wrong with my perception.

Keeping It Real...

What happened in the past can never be restored nor recovered. That's baloney if somebody tells you that. That's why we are to choose to be 100% be in the moment. Be respectful of my presence. Don't multi-task when you're talking to me. Don't be thinking other nonsense people or things if you want real communication. Don't infuse things that are subsidiary to what we're talking about. That's not being selfish. That's letting the other person what you can take and what you can ditch. Otherwise, a masquerade of fowl plays and games emerge if you're not honest with what's holding you and keeping you grounded in this life.

Till tomorrow.

"You Must Choose to See God's Greater Plan..."

A 31-Day Writing Challenge

We have a choice

"We can choose to go with the flow--to live predictable, safe, comfortable lives or we can choose to believe that God has a greater plan for us." Jeremiah 29:11 also says that, "For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

To really understand this, one must have wisdom and discernment from God because our human understanding always fall short but never His. Anything God reveals to us will always align to His Word. And the only way that anointing, that power to know His will for our lives is obedience to His Word. Not just obeying out of  fear but because you're committed to the calling He wants you to do for His glory. That you are willing to go to the fire and be refined by His Hand...

Many of us if not all of us always infuse our personal agenda whether we want to admit it or not. We may even pull the infamous excuse that we're just human and bound for a downfall. We don't want to realize that we can't really do it on our own and still think and act like our prosperity is credited to our intellect or something. When can we ever get that everything we have; our jobs, our material possessions, and our sanity and the air we breathe are all blessings given to us. You might argue that you've worked for all you've got and that's a legitimate reason to credit yourself. However; humility, gratitude and kindness are attitudes we should exude instead of pride. A good choice to draw ourselves closer to Him.

Today, I was thinking of the new things I already started since the New Year. I have the choice to continue blogging for 26 more days or just write whenever. But I chose discipline & order. If I keep doing the same pace I was doing with my writing last year, there is no challenge and no growth at all. And what do you call that? Just staying afloat. I believe I could do a significant change to where I would be more productive. But the operative word here and the mission is : Will my writing be always align with what God is in store for me in 2014? I should  check my heart to that, regularly.

I also did commit myself to do Daniel's fasting for 21 days. It started today. It is privilege doing it corporately with my church family and my own family. There are no "ifs and "don'ts" for this. I hope never to give myself excuses to fail. I'm sharing this to hold myself accountable and will strengthen to run this race at my best. I also promised myself not to listen to secular music except K-love and Air one radio stations. They only play Christian music and share people's spiritual testimonies. I know it's a lot to take but I'm not doing this on my own. I know that the Lord's hand is upon me.

Isn't it more rewarding to achieve something beyond your capacity? I have and you have a choice to challenge yourself; to go through life with almost a complete overhaul? Don't you get tired dreaming and pretending that's it? In my heart, I know it's that time to replenish and forget those who's not running with you...absolutely my choice.

Thanks for reading and till tomorrow!

"That Redeeming Joy..."

"The Moment that Redeems our Joy"
  
  For some inexplicable reason, Saturday is my favorite day of the week to pause, reflect and  eat without an apology... Kind of unpopular to many people because of what it indulges and compels them to do on Saturdays. I can dig that, that after working from 9am-5pm or 7am-3pm from Monday to Friday, comes Saturday--you're exhausted.

You don't feel like mopping the floor, cleaning the kitchen counters, cabinets and organizing what's lurking under your kitchen sink, & bathrooms. You might schedule cleaning that up the next day which is Sunday. But there are household tasks that just need to be done. One of them may be stacking up your pantry and your fridge food & drinks. Doing your laundry is another chore that a mom never misses to do. Or going to the post office to mail that package on time so you don't have to express-mail it if you postpone it indefinitely.

And if you're still raising schoolchildren, your roles as a mom just quadrupled. If you're a single mom and you're always present in every soccer game, baseball or football or musical rehearsals--truly you are a supermom. What about checking and helping out with their homework; their doctor's appointments and parent-teacher conferences? Overwhelming.

I've been there. So, I guess I could call myself a supermom even Today that both of my sons  are grown and have their own busy life, too. I didn't even mention pets at home; large breed dogs. Evidently, this life is swamped with appointments, schedules; routines. Where and when do you find time to vent and still stay grounded. Sometimes, you don't even have that choice. You just have to keep going until you're still senile and remember how to really breathe and keep that sense of humor and God.

So, what has kept me sane and healthy all these years are my Saturday routines; also includes on my knees praying for God's grace. That's why I pick Saturday as the best day for me. I have my own ways of doing chores according to their sense of immediacy & order. As a single parent, I had to and I think and believe that what really sustained me was my purpose--be a good mother and although I could never execute the role of a father to my children, they have a Heavenly Father. That may had been too big for them to understand but I know His Sovereign Hand in my life. And they see that I am a living testimony of His unfailing love.

I've always had joy doing things for my boys. I was committed and dedicated myself serving them. I made that decision. That specific moment that redeems my joy is whenever God brings  me to a place where He is the only one who can protect me from harm; who can love me in my deepest grief & weaknesses.  I didn't have time wrestling and chasing my own personal dreams. More like relegated to the background; took a backseat until then... because I know there is no greater dream than journeying and going through with life's notorious ups and downs with God.
That's my pitch for that redeeming moment. It may not be groundbreaking to some but for me it is transcending and celebratory.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1 says "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

And I'm waiting and expecting for that glorious day.

Thanks for reading.

Till tomorrow

"True Inspiration Must Be Earned by Writing"

"True Inspiration Must Be Earned By Writing"
  
  This is actually Steven Taylor Goldsberry's rule # 4 for mastering your craft. He wrote that, " if you wait to be inspired before you start writing, if you wait to experience that bolt of soul-clarifying insight, you're a fool and have no business being a writer."

And Mr. Steven Taylor Goldsberry is absolutely right.

Ouch...So, when I'm having those "occasional mental lapses" because I couldn't force myself to write that I might as well forget that I'm a writer. That I don't really have the knack for writing, that I don't have what it takes for my words to be heard. And that I'm a fool if I wait to be inspired before I write.

I get it. Just write whatever words flow into my brain to my fingertips, to my keyboard. Who knows,  comes in mid-paragraph, my inspiration starts to sing with my words. What is important is my present engagement with what draws me in. I hope I'm not committing a  redundancy, here. That is something I am very meticulous--redundancies. I'm not talking about alliteration as a figure of speech but words that don't need to be said the same thing twice.

Check this sentence for wordiness: Josh is employed at an electronics company working as a lead sales consultant.  The meaning of employed is suggested by the other word working in the sentence. Therefore, cross out is employed with works and eliminate working. With that, your correct sentence is: Josh works at an electronic company as a lead sales consultant. That's clear and simple.

"Redundancies such as cooperate together, basic essentials, true fact and close proximity are just some common source of wordiness." When reading, I spot on them like crazy. And when I do, I just pause and just delete those words on my mind. I can also tell myself that it was probably topographic error. However, if you're reading a post or an article and you've missed your mark thrice or more, I may not finish reading the whole thing. I guess this is where you lay your content standing out more than some technicality in writing. But aren't they dependent of each other? I would like to think so.

Do you still remember and pay tribute to that beloved English teacher of yours in High School or your English instructor in college? For me, their legacy of teaching me well lives on. I still remember their names and their stature in my mind; how they transform my psyche to love words and continue to be affected by them. I knew then, that writing would be my greatest ally to myself and my sole refuge to inner triumph.

As Jeff Goins said in his book, "Writer's Manifesto," Start declaring yourself as a writer. After reading it, I claimed it and proclaimed it to myself...as often as I needed to hear it. Now I have to find time how to hone my craft. I might take up some classes for copy editing this summer. I could even take some classes offered by Jeff Goins, Michael Hyatt & Joseph Lalonde; Max Lucado; writers I follow "religiously" and many more this year as good mentors. Thank you for their contributions.

I know the rewards are as tangible as I would like them to be. It could be sooner, later; yet I know the breakthrough is coming. That's enough for me to stay true to my belief & faith. May I never cease to follow my heart's desire. And may this year is my year of jubilee. I can't think of anything more productive to do other than fall in love again with writing. I owe this to myself. Many have failed my expectations last year including my expectations to what "I should and would have done; the many ifs"  that I entertained. 

Well, God is the Lord of many chances. I hope I won't blow it again. Chances are, I will cling to the power of making the right Choice. I know the hand of God is upon me and may I won't let His hand slipped off my grasp.

Thank you for reading.

It's that time again...Good night!

"The Gift of Words ...Undefiled

It's just the second day for writing ardently...Anybody who reads my first line of thought thinks I'm starting to waver for what I signed on for. May be just a tingling flinch that will go away but still an inkling to force me to pause and reflect for a moment: a sign of trite or weakness, or both? Not sure.

I couldn't decide for a specific topic to write. I wish I could just lean to my own understanding on matters of the heart and just nullify whatever the rest of the world is thinking and doing out loud or in their closet. I wish that I could just bask on words just for my glory & pride and not use them outside myself. Does that make sense?

As a writer, eccentricity lurks in my writing. Unapologetic, unrestrained  and unorthodox. Following strict guidelines deters my flow.  But like other writers, I write because words dig me deeper. I would like to think that without words spoken, written or imagined, my life would be so barren; sullen, I can't function.

Think about a song devoid of lyrics. It may have a good musical arrangement, melody or rhythm; the crescendo weakens and the voice is no longer required. And a song can't be one without words to complete it. Everything that my heart is drawn to-- implores, begs for  words; a poem, a movie, a love letter, a book, a joke, a parable and even euphemisms.

What about the Word of God? The Holy Bible. It is the divine Revelation of what God wants mankind to know about Eternal salvation and His plan. There it is...God even said in His own words, "Let us make a human in our own image, by our likeness, to hold sway over the fish of the sea and the fowl of the heavens and the cattle and the wild beasts and all the crawling things that crawl upon the earth." And God created the human in his image, in the image of God He created him, male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

What about love. It needs to be expressed. Words coupled with loving actions will define it. But without words, we might as well be mute & deaf. I consider it a transgression for not ever expressing your heart & mind, the gift of words.  
Just imagine a teacher explaining her topic sentence and explaining it to her students by simply using the American sign language. Would that be catchy, enough or deplorable?

I could only think of three things for now when words are insignificant: when you're sleeping; when you're cussing out words and when you're about to tell your spouse, your significant other or to the one you love that you want a divorce. You hush...Time to bridle your tongue.
I'm kind of unsettled with that. I won't elucidate any further.
Just don't use words lightly. They may be your best link or connection to yourself and to others but you can be still uncouth with your words. Be of some kind of refinement. Not be disdainful blurting them out or writing disparaging remarks. Although that is sometimes needed, reflect on your true intentions.
                                                                
I still remember the song, "Words" by Bee Gees. That one remarkable line that says, it's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away has sold me out to this date. Yup, the power of words. They either edify you or tear you down. "Life and death is in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof ." (Prov. 18:21) Be not merciless in uttering them.  Take time to pause to consider before you speak angry words. This could be a good one on your resolution list.

Press on to love with the love that endures the test of time...

Till tomorrow. Good night. And Take Care.