The Weight of Life

Photo: courtesy of Google

When life's burden's too heavy to carry, and we tend to be affected by it - it slows down our journey or either stops us.

I believe, everyone has gone through such bad pace in life where at times we forget to smile and everything seems to be so gloomy.
When we travel to valleys of profound sadness and seasons of sadness we cannot appreciate the beauty of life and its wonder given by God. Who could have thought of smiling and gladden oneself when you are enveloped with problems.
By the start of this year 2014 wasn't really a good start. A sadden news had broke me into tears when my uncle had passed away, bearings with my previous problems that I have had in the latter part of 2013. Hitherto, the fear of losing someone bloodily close to you would always frightens you to last a lifetime. Awhile back, my aunt - first cousin of my mother died and she's not just an ordinary aunt but a close one to my family.
I have thought that bad luck has escorted me and won't stop till I got shattered and torn apart. Yet, all of these trials has jog my memory of kneeling it down to the Super Being above, entrusting my drawback to Him.
As I have my devotional routine, I came across of this beautiful quotes truly liquefies my heart.

" Whenever life's burdens oppress you, And trials are too much to face, Remember God's strength in your weakness; He'll give you His power and grace." - Sper

 The song below has been my recent fave and serves as inspiration to ring me a bell every now and then that God is better than I. This song really roar me to tears.

" Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try,...but rejoice.... when His glory is revealed. - 1 Peter 4: 12-13

I just thank God that I have Him with me, no matter how sad and troubled I am. With that, I have all the reasons to rejoice and be glad.

Photo: courtesy of Google

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12

Trusting God When Life Seems Unfair

Sometimes, I felt life is unfair and when life is getting so harsh, we tend to say God is unfair. As a devout christian and a missionary, it's not easy and even so painful to see those who aren't doing well in life.
In fact, it is frustrating to know when you always hear the sermon in the church telling God is love and yet, you couldn't see the reality of His love but the contrary of what it's to be called love. Poverty is one of the rampant epidemics in the world, which no matter how hard you work for life to survive, still you couldn't get out the brinks of life's impoverishment. The reality is, the poor's getting poorer while the rich's getting richer, wherever you go, sights of life's poorness is still visible and sometimes it became an eyesore to the public's eyes.
I cam across of this blog telling, "When God Seems Unfair".

God is unfair, here’s why…When we see good people suffering and the bad living their full life, when we see a child rapped, when a town is devastated by natural calamities, when innocent people are killed by some lunatic, when your brother or a parent die of cancer even if you prayed your heart out, when you lost your job, when you don’t feel like you deserve what’s going on in your life — we question God, “Are you fair?” Why are these bad things happen to good people?I admit with honesty and sincerity, that I do not hold all the answers and wouldn’t want to try to give absolute answers. True enough, who can? Can we really explain?However, I offer possible answers based on God’s Word itself. Some, “maybe’s” that we can think of.When bad things happen to good people…1. Maybe you’re just a victim of a fallen world. The reality is, the world we live in is sick. It’s dying. In this world, the Bible says, you will face troubles. It guarantees that we do, because we live in a sin-sick world. Why do our love ones get sick, and eventually die? Why would somebody hurt us even if we do good things to them? It’s not your fault. It’s just that we live in a sin filled world and we become victims of it.2. Maybe it’s a direct result of your sin. We would ask God why he allowed us to be financially messed up? Because probably, you loaned a car, a house and purchased the newest iPad even if your income cannot support it. Why wouldn’t your children love you? Maybe because you were out most of the time. Sometimes, we suffer because it is a direct result of our own sin.3. Maybe God has something bigger in mind. I was watching this not-so-good Gerald Butler movie (and yes, we kinda saw that just because it’s a Gerald Butler movie) called “Machine Gun Preacher”. In that part of the movie when he gave his life to God, you would probably rejoice already. But then, right after that, he got laid off as a carpenter and his house got destroyed by a storm. You would think, why would that happen to him considering that those events happen right after he committed his life to God? Isn’t that unfair? But then, because of those two events in his life, a door opened up for him to start his own construction business. When something seems unfair, maybe God is doing something else for your benefit.But here’s the bottom line. Asking the question “Why bad things happen to good people” is a flawed question in the first place. The right question is “Why good things happen to bad people”. The reality is, in the eyes to a holy God, all of us are bad. We are all sinners. And if God is fair, he would have given what our sins deserve. Because he is UNFAIR, he gave us what we do not deserve — love, care, blessings. And for those who accepted Christ as their savior, he gave salvation — we don’t deserve it, we didn’t earn it, we CAN’T earn it, and yet he gave it anyway.Mercy is God NOT giving us what we deserve.Grace is God giving us what we DO NOT serve.God is UNFAIR.

Disclaimer: The following text is owned by Gamboa

Finding Refuge and Strenght

Lately, I was so down and depressed with that I came to blame my Creator about the mishaps in life, the mischance, the misfortune, and so on or whatever words you may describe it that collaborated with the word mishap. I used to do that when storms come along my way especially the time that I couldn't find a shelter to shade myself from the rain.

photo from Google.

But then after all those whines and complains I made, God has still patiently loving me and trying to understand everything a father could do for his child. Honestly, when I am confronted with adversary I couldn't find someone who could give the best comfort in the world but seeking refuge and strength from God.
Though my earthly parents would offer the warmest comfort they could have for me but God's protection is quick even before you ask for it. Where else could I run for a shelter?
When things get rough, God is always been a perfect to run to find refuge & strength, it's proven right. Sometimes, I get blinded by my anger without knowing that I myself involved on the mishaps the reason why it turn out to be not so nice because God is disciplining me.

Let me share this beautiful poem that I've got from the internet, eventually I am a fan of Penny Parker the .person who made this

I asked for health that I might do greater things ... I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy ... I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men ... I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life ... I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, But everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, My unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed! ~ Attributed to an Unknown Confederate Soldier ~

Many Faces of Life

Today, we can easily recognize pain and happiness by just looking at people's faces. There are individuals who aren't so vocal and outspoken of their agonies, but it is the face that speaks it all whether you agree or not.
In my case, I am very frank and honest of voicing out my innermost feelings especially on the case of adversary. Nor, pausing myself to speak out my ill feelings towards to my Creator, because that's how the way I release my gloomy emotions. Things aren't really looking good since I came back (from) overseas. Just as the tide went on the other shore the more I got annoyed and irritates.
Well, I guess the faces of life aren't naturally one sided. I remember when I was in Europe, experiencing the four seasons was an eye opener seeing the life changes as we continue living in this ghastly planet.
As a neophyte, I didn't know that each season has its own face to show that affects life's mood. It reminds me that in life's journey, we would experience many different face changes.
Each season would bring us into the place of different struggles in life. For now, I am trying to look back the different faces of my life's experiences.

As a Child: As a little boy rose in the 70's and 80's, my vision in life back then was different. Having raised in a two religions (Catholic & SDA) and raised into a different places (Siquijor & Olongapo) was a bit of confusion, yet, fun at times. However, that gave me a clearer picture of two different faces. One was, life in the boondocks was so simple and far from the corruptions of the technologies and issues in the Metropolis. While in Olongapo, the pace of life then was so fast and advance and you could see the reality of life as good and evil. Money was so quick and easy. I'm thankful that I wasn't deprived materially.

Teenager:  The face of my teenager's life or High School Life brought me into a journey that involved both merriment and dreaming. While enjoying my teeny bopper's life in Olongapo city, was also the birth of my dreaming going abroad. When I was a kid, dreaming of going somewhere was just merely caused of the effect of seeing nice pictures & watching American movies. I had this strong inkling in life that I'd join the US Navy or work in Subic Naval Base so that I could see the US soil & settle there for good. The usual enjoyment of a teen ager in my time was more on mimicking the celebrities and partying..that's life in Olongapo, and that's a High School life.

The 20's: As I entered into my 20's, that's when I began to worry which path would I have to take. Studying in the College of Fisheries was not a plan nor intention to be taken so seriously since it wasn't my dream as well, but life brought me there as a way of viewing the real College Life of a lower middle class student. In my early 20's, that's when I began to work and find my own means to survive without depending my parent’s assistance monetarily. Yet, I was fighting and believing that life wasn't just about working in the factories. That there's more to life out there & you just have to reach it out. 

The 30's: This was the moment that I fully understood the faces of life. This was also the moment that I fully realized that, what I did back in my teenager's life was into darkness & my life was a bit out of control. This was the moment as well that I concentrated more deeply the spiritual side of my life and recognizing my flaws and letting God to control everything. This was the age that I joined the missionary and worked in the vineyard of God in the southernmost part of Mindanao. In this age, where I decided to go back to school and took Secondary Education. Enjoying myself on learning new things and absorbing things about English that I haven't learned in High School.

Today, my 40's:  Today, I have seen many faces. Some aren't pretty good, some are worth to keep about. I might have been committing tons of sins against my Creator, but letting it sure I'm not what I used to be. I did change, life has taught me much. I've been disciplined by the Lord, being whipped by the consequences of the mistakes that I've done. What matters most then is, I still have Him and I am with Him.

The Best is Yet to Come

Sorry for the delayed post. Yes, I know I haven't blogged for a while, been busy of my oversea's applying so as doing my English twang tutorials for the Koreans, and getting back on the grind now.
Not just because I don't post here that much - I totally leave the blogging thing. I always getting this blog up and running & promise to share ideas what I'm cooking up.
I just simply love the text above, as you know - things have been so tight & difficult to describe since I arrived home for 6 months now. Plans has always been staying shortly in the Philippines, & back to my usual task of sharing my knowledge overseas in the form of teaching internationally.

Another cold lonesome Christmas again to celebrate, been asking what have I done so badly in the past that things is still so rough and tight till now? All tears have dried up & battered heart, no more words to say but my soul is in anguish. How long shall my unmitigated anguish continue?

They said, the best is yet to come. When is the best time to come? I'm so tired of being tired and tired of asking. Do prayer really works? I felt like talking to a wall when I pray, there's no answer or do the answer may be long and delayed?

My faith has been tested and dunno how far would I let myself to go, only heaven knows.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

That's exactly what you are going to do when "Life gives you Lemons, Make Lemonade", meaning; that if live gives you something sour turn it sweet, make the best of what you're given.

I visited a friend on his work just a minute away from my whereabouts to talk something seriously, like life and eternal things. As I kept myself busy while he was attending errands, an article from Manila Bulletin caught my attention; " When Life Gives You Lemons..." it gave me so much irk to read the whole contents that made me to pause for a while and thought that I myself has been into Lemons in life.

Here is the excerpt of the article just the excerpt - I could not copy them all but to shorten the important ones.

" WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS..."
Focus on the positives:
 No matter how bad a situation may seem, it is always possible to find at least on positive thing about the situation if you try. Try your best to focus on what you have learned and gained from your experience rather than on what you have lost. 

Take away the emotion:
It is obviously difficult to view disappointments and setbacks in life without feeling some sort of emotion. Rather than getting carried away with your own interpretations of how disastrous things are, try to look at the situation a little more objectively. 

Be your own best friend:
We often see ourselves in the worst light, particularly when life isn't going how we want it to. However, it is important not to be hard on yourself just because something in your life hasn't worked out. Even the world's most beautiful and successful people have faced failure and rejection at some point in their lives. 

Get a support system:
You may think that dealing with your problems all by yourself is the "grown up" thing to do. However, all of us need support at times, and asking those you love for help is not a sign of weakness. 

Look to the future:
It is easy to get caught up in the "what ifs" and "why mes" when things go wrong in life. Dwelling on your own disappointment will not help the situation. As Alexander Graham Bell stated; When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us. The situation may not feel great and it may seem fair, whether you like it or not. Rather than dwelling on what could have been, start planning now where you can go from here. 

Form a plan B:
Unfortunately in life our plan A doesn't always work out. Sometimes we have to wait a little longer than we would like for what we want, and sometimes those things just aren't meant to be at all. Remember there are many routes to happiness and just because one thing hasn't worked out that doesn't mean there's nothing to take its place. 

Seek Happiness:
We often think that happiness should be something that comes to us naturally, without any effort on our part. However, very often happiness is a choice, not something that just falls upon us of its own accord. Make a choice to be happy by becoming a positive thinker, surrounding yourself with supportive friends, doing the things that you enjoy and looking after yourself. Even if you don't feel like smiling or being happy right now, by acting how you want to feel, the feelings will often naturally follow.

Disclaimer: the article above was posted in Manila Bulletin and originally provided by www.realbuzz.com . The whole article here is not as completely as the original ones but being shortened.

The Reality of Life

This picture really broke my heart, the facts of life as they really are not as we sometimes pretend them to be. We must accept the truth about life before we can handle it sensibly. Dealing with life demands that we first know what it is, that we recognize both what we are and what the world is like.

WHAT LIES OVER THERE

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be discriminated? or having rejected of the job you wish for, its because you aren't a product of the top (caliber) universities in the country? Or its because you aren't an English native speaker, yet , a native of the Philippines?
All these pointless reasoning has gotten me sick outrageously. I am always bombarded with these kind of unprincipled dogma herein. My childhood dream in life is to give a try-out working beyond the island with the desire of knowing what it likes to work abroad, & what lies out there (of course earning is included though).
Since the grass is more greener & luring at the other side of the world, the skilled & professional Filipino workers continually leaving the motherland for a cause,economically. What future you can get out of this corrupt country?
Eventually, its my second option whenever rejections continue to rise in my denomination (referring to my church affiliations, which racial discrimination still practicing).
Ideally, Adventist (my church) aren't supposed to embrace this kind of belief, because it's an indulgence of the world. Let me share my ill-fated experiences concerning racial discrimination.I just received a fresh email from a secretary at the recruitment area in our church big office (pertaining to Southeast Asia)These information from the website are very important. For Language qualification: English (mother tongue) required, this refers to applicant coming from English speaking countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, England, etc.
Another incidents, an English Language Institute in Ukraine,owned by our church rebuffed my application because I'm not an American nor coming from the English speaking countries. That rejection was done through a long distance phone call right after the questioning of my nationality, school, & my accent.Whew, why the Lord didn't make English as one language globally so as my voice, pronunciation accentuated like of those American or British twang?
One hurtful experienced occurred too was when I received another long phone call coming from USA initiated phone interview because of the application I sent in Japan for a missionary teaching job. Hence, I was asked to obtain a driver's license which is one of the requirements needed.
After all those refined & a little assuring conversation, I raised a question concerning the possibilities & chances I can make to get the job, straightly frank as the answered was a big NO, its because again they needed American by particular.
I told the person, what's the use of calling me & forcing me to secure a driver's license in a quickest possible time,yet, they won't accept me? I'd really say, "Putang Ina". I never cared of the Celestial Being would hate me of saying " Putang Ina ,talaga" That's how I felt right now, I'm outrageously angry.
Got this message online:
Your future isn’t fixed, but it is shaped – by events and experiences, in this life and any past lives. For example, early emotional wounding or traumatic experiences, even if barely remembered, can leave ‘triggers’ that activate to cause repetitive patterns of negativity. Negativity in one person attracts negativity in others, damaging both personal and professional relationships.

At What Lies Ahead, our work involves identifying, understanding, and countering, negative influences from the past involving you and those close to you. By removing the ‘triggers’ that cause negativity, we are laying the foundations on which you can build a better, more positive future.

CONTRASTED LIVES

CONSTRASTED LIVES
Jesus and Alexander died at 33.
One lived and died for seld; one died for you and me.
The Greek died on a throne; the Jew died on a cross.
One's life a triumph seemed; the other but a loss.
One's led vast armies forth; the other walked alone.
One shed a whole world's blood; the other gave His own.
One won the world in life and lost it all in death;
the other lost His life to win the whole world's faith.
Jesus and Alexander died at 33.
The Greek made all men slaves; the Jew made all men free.
One built a throne on blood; the other built on love.
The one was born of earth; the other from above.
The one won all this earth, to lose all earth and heaven.
The other gave up all, that all to Him be given.
The Greek forever died; the Jew forever lives.
He loses all who gets; he wins all things who gives.
-Charles Ross Wedge-

I'm back from such a couple of days in silence...miss blogging and updating. Usually when I blog, I don't just post them here directly without checking and writing them in a piece of paper and check the necessary errors like spelling, grammar and of course digging out my serious ideas with the help of my dictionary using a little hard of vocabularies, before scribbling them here in my personal blog.

These past weeks up to now, have been so painful and excruciating hot weeks. Jobless, penniless, boring life, frustrations and disappoinments keeps on confronting me.
Resulting to this adversaries, I really don't know what to do and where to go. I left for Olongapo the second week of March just to accompany my cousin picking up her estrange bf from Japan.
My stayed there was good since I got the chance to see my classmates back in High School. We discussed about the possible initial reunion of our class. I never been home for 3 years so I seized the opportunities I had to roam around the city.
Familiar landmarks are still there stood in remembrance of the good old Olongapo heydays. When I got back from Olongapo, bundle of problems scattered away. Boy, life is getting harder everyday so as my world is getting smaller in Cavite.
Avoiding the hot boring summer, I stayed at my co-teachers place watching movies as I needed too...wow, you heard that, as much as I want too.
As a movie geek, I sorted them and balancing what movie should I consider to be favorite aside from movies in the 80's.
Among the films I had watched this summer was, "August Rush" captures the moment of my life. Watching it truly moves my heart and bring so much wet of tears in my eyes but I decided to control them so as my co-teachers won't laugh at me.
Gee, love the movie so much, good thing that my co-teachers has a taste on selecting movies that has quality....listen, quality.
So much more, I found this message from a certain devotional while I was browsing the book to pass the time....this Contrasted Lives captured my emotion pondering deeply how God gave His son for us sakes....are we making our lives accorind to His will? its a question that needs an answer right?

Well, here are the movies that erases the boredom I had this week.

IN LIFE; SAFE OR SORRY?

Life could be very tricky. One day you're up, the next day you're down. Having a stable and good paying job is life's safety net against uncertainties.
World crisis is still a financial catastrophic, that leaves the humanity in tears and a pocket threat.
Everyone wants to be successful in life, and success in life is all about finding the perfect fit-with your partner, educations, chose endeavors and more importantly, your career.
We couldn't recognize the small thrive in an environment much different from the one in which we desire to be.
Honest to goodness, we continue to strive not just to earn something in this world but for the survival of the crisis that continue to wash out the world's stability.
At the end of the day, what is important is not simply what you and I have done, but the reason why we do things.
Planning every single of our dreams and desires is like plotting a quarters worth of meals.
After all these struggles in life, anchoring to God's promises is the best propeller that we can use, (as) today's is the eliminations of the unfit and the survival of the fittest.