you say...God says :)

I got this from a friend back in high school...and I knew I just have to be His messenger RIGHT NOW. Read on my friend, and hear the voice of our Father as He answers every unspoken thought in your mind. Have that long-awaited light bulb moment! :)

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You say: "It's impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it" God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able" God says: I am able (2 Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )
You say: "I can't forgive myself" God says: I forgive you (1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage" God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid" God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all your cares on Me (1 Peter 5:7)
You say: "I'm not smart enough" God says: I give you wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

2 first-times

Ha! As if you had a choice...you'd have to allow me for breaking grammatical rules. :)

I'm currently experiencing the last stretch of my second to the last semester of being a college student, by my Father's grace. Whew!

Seriously, it's all about Him. His voice. His plans. His hand upon my life. His eyes looking through me. His hug whenever I feel alone. His abounding love. His immeasurable grace. Guess what? He's literally more than any word you can think of to describe Him. What do you expect, He is everything.

Just recently, I witnessed His grace of wisdom. Not once, but twice. Both in the context of not having been really prepared for final exams. Yeah, THE final exams. It's the very last shot you get to prove to your professor that you deserve a good grade. Don't ask why I wasn't able to prepare for those exams, coz I'm not gonna tell you anyway. ;P

I'll let you in on this "secret," anyway. Hehe Moments before each exam, I had no worries. Some might think it's just plain confidence. But I beg to disagree. I was nervous. Hello? I was about to take an exam and I barely finished reading through my notes, let alone the books. But there was peace from within, I was in a state of calmness. I felt this before, but most of the time it's because I was confident of the fact that I did my review. But this one's different.

He's definitely up to something.

What does one do in that situation? None but pray. Now that sounds foolish, you'd say. And I'd agree with you. After not having done my part, I pray and ask Him to do His part? That seems too selfish and insensitive. But really, what would you do? Hmm?

And so I did pray. Haha! I asked for His His brains. I know I do not deserve any part of it. But He really is a Gracious God. Wala na akong masabi. :)

If you're gonna ask how I did on those two exams, I don't have the numbers, yet. But I answered the questions, most of them in essay, quite smoothly. Yey! Hehe He's in control. And He doesn't need to prove it.

<flash praise report: after having been one of the poorest presentors during our mock defense, our group ranked 2nd best in class for the final defense! haha! yey Lord!>

He's definitely up to great and unimaginable things. Need I say more? :)

not me!

I've mentioned in my previous entry that I have been in a season of "missing people." And I still am, though not as strongly as I was the past weeks or so. How come? Haha! Coz I came up with this brilliant plan, which by the way, is the only way I know for now. :) Thanks to Smart and it's unlimited service, I got in touch with my elementary and high school friends, and asked them how they were doing, especially now that we're in our graduating year (well, most of us are, hopefully). Some responded, some did not. And of those who did, some openly shared, while others were unexpectedly reluctant. Whew! We're talking of almost four years of physical disconnection here. I was kinda relieved, finally hearing stories and updates about them. But then I had a feeling of discontent. I knew there's more that I can do than just react to what they had to say. And it dawned on me.

My Father whispered in my ears, "Ask them what they need."

"I beg Your pardon, Your Majesty? I? Ask them what they need?" I asked surprisingly.

"Certainly. Why the hesitation, my child?" He asked back.

My heart went still and quiet for a while. Then I answered, "They may tell me what they need or want, but what answers and solutions can I give them?"

And with an assuring voice He spoke, "You are My instrument, you see."

I can't believe I was too slow. It was "in my face." Either I was blind, deaf, numb, or I doubted what I already knew. Certainly, I do not have the power to grant what they need or want. I am as helpless as they are.

That's why we have a great God. At His word, it is done. It was a simple task He was asking of me, His servant. "Ask them, and pray for them and their concerns. Tell me about them, don't keep it t yourself." And so I did. They told me about their requests, others in an instant, others were just as surprised as I was. What do you expect? This was probably the first time they heard me ask of it from them. Wheee!

Oh! I did not tell you about this for nothing. I'm here to inform you that some of the prayers were already answered. One of them is now well from fever; the other just received the results of her midterm exams, which was favorable, she said so; while another with her groupmates did presented their "crammed" report excellently, far better than the others did. Amazing... :) These past few days are quite unusual, but I hope I get used to it. Prayer requests are flooding in from friends, you know. Hehe!

By the way, I'm not in any right to claim the praise for these answered prayers. The power does not lie in the one who's uttering the prayers. Nor does it lie on the intensity of one's prayer. I remember a line about prayer that I still hold dear, and I paraphrase,

"THE POWER OF PRAYER LIES IN THE ONE WHO HEARS THE PRAYER."

I guess that's it. Need I expound? Na-ah. I hope you got the message clear.

Now, my King, let's hear more of them!

I Miss Me!

Yeah, you read that one just right. Though I doubt it's grammatically correct. :) That goes to everyone who has touched my life and changed me inside and out, as well. Sounds mushy? Perhaps. True? Undeniably.

I'd love to, but I'm afraid I don't have the time to expound my statement. Thoughts flood my head for days, maybe weeks now. Hopefully I can take a break and spill them out soon, before they run out. Schoolworks' eating up my time these days. But God's faithful to renew my strength even in power naps! :D

metamorphosis

*Yeah, churchmates, you've heard this illustration countless times. But just the same, it's worth remembering. Besides, it's everyone's story, as well. Hehe!

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Do you remember our lesson in science on how the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly – otherwise known as metamorphosis? Surprisingly, I do. Actually, my life is a reminder of the magic that it brings.

Weeks ago, as I was strolling around our campus, I had this strange feeling. A tiny creature was crawling just between my shoulder and neck. And interestingly, it was the first time I had a close encounter with the infamous caterpillar or “higad” in our university. I did not actually mind it; I even used my bare hands to take it off me and throw it away. Apparently, my neck started to itch. By then I felt so stupid, having done what I did. What am I supposed to do then? I was left to wait till the itch subsides and disappears. Unfortunately, it lasted for three days, of which I’m still wondering how come. Anyway, this personal experience with a caterpillar, gives me some sort of a jumpstart to the point I’m driving at.

Without further discussion, I believe everyone would agree that besides the itchy feeling that we suffer in the hands of caterpillars, they contribute no other intrinsic good to the ecosystem. Moreover, they consume the acrimonious leaves of plants in your mother’s garden. No wonder why you have little left of your green-leafy-vegetables for supper. :( Aside from that, its mere appearance is enough to disgust people, especially when one sees its ooze coming out…yikes! ;p

Yet amazingly, after some time, this almost worthless caterpillar grows into a magnificent creature – a butterfly. It turns into an organism that now feeds itself on the saccharine nectar of flowers, at the same time and unintentionally serving as an agent of plant growth through pollination. The presence of its stunning colors brighten up one’s day, and make one think that there’s still a reason to smile in the midst of our troubles.

There goes a simple differentiation between these two creatures. They are one and the same in reality. But at one point in their life cycle, they undergo a change that would make them completely distinct from each other. Its façade has changed. But more significantly, it has revolutionized its desired lifestyle and reason for existence: from bitter leaves to sweet honey, from destruction to development. Let’s not forget their looks; it’s the most obvious feature that could tell them apart.

You know what? I once fed myself on superficial desires. I tried to satisfy the yearnings of my heart temporarily, which led me to crave for more and more and more. Unfortunately, they have never fulfilled my needs and wants…and I bet they never will. On top of my incompleteness, I was unaware that I have also caused the people around me harm, in one way or another. I have wounded my parents, for example, in my longing that they lavish me with expensive things, as reward for my academic achievements. How shallow was I. How rotten. How disgusting.

However, just like the caterpillar, life doesn’t end that way. Well, you see, I’m an emerging butterfly, too. We are meant to come out, spread our wings, and fly (so the song goes). And what is our cocoon, by the way? (Hint! Hint! - check out my previous post) Got it? Bingo! It’s the Cross. It was “the moment” I told of in my first entry, of encountering the One who hung Himself on the tree, in the name of mercy and grace, for love, for you and me. And this act of love alone from our Father has enough supremacy to transform both our body and spirit.

None but Jesus has the power to change me. I have tried countless times on my own, but to no avail. And until this very moment, He has been turning things right-side up for me. It’s not just a heart matter. His grace makes things manifest in the outside. He has harmonized my desires into His. He shepherds me as I shepherd the younger sheep. With Him by my side, I now have a clearer view of the path I should take in my life’s journey.

Yeah, I’m not perfect, yet. But the One who began this metamorphosis in me is faithful to finish His work. So don’t be surprised when that day comes (it surely will hehe!), that you’ll see me as one of those precious butterflies in the Lord’s garden – servant of His intensified body, with incredibly dazzling wings widely-spread. :)