Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
My love song to my God
Psalm 73
by Hangad
With You, I am always with You,
You hold me tight, Your hand in mine.
You bring all things to a good end,
You lead me on in Your good pleasure.
What is heaven to me without You?
Where am I on earth if You are not there?
Though my body is broken down,
Though my heart dies, You are my rock,
My God, the Future that waits for me.
Far away from You, life is not life.
To break faith with You is to be no one.
With You, my highest good,
my God, with You, I am secure.
by Hangad
With You, I am always with You,
You hold me tight, Your hand in mine.
You bring all things to a good end,
You lead me on in Your good pleasure.
What is heaven to me without You?
Where am I on earth if You are not there?
Though my body is broken down,
Though my heart dies, You are my rock,
My God, the Future that waits for me.
Far away from You, life is not life.
To break faith with You is to be no one.
With You, my highest good,
my God, with You, I am secure.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Without blame
To: Me
From: The Universe
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 5:09 PM
Without "blame," Jing, at least 50% of all grounded relationships would have continued sailing.
And I'm all for sailing.
Your first mate,
The Universe
~~~
By: Emerson Dimaya
From: The Universe
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 5:09 PM
Without "blame," Jing, at least 50% of all grounded relationships would have continued sailing.
And I'm all for sailing.
Your first mate,
The Universe
~~~
By: Emerson Dimaya
Friday, October 02, 2009
Parayer for our safety
Dear Lord,
We fervently pray for your grace so that our nation will be spared from another threatening typhoon. Our suffering people have not yet recovered from Ondoy's wrath. Please prevent Pepeng from hitting any of our islands. Save us from further calamities by embracing our country with Your protective grace and merciful blessings. Amen.
Please pass to start prayer brigades. Thanks.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Four Freedoms
delivered by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, on January 6, 1941
In the future days which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression --everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way-- everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want, which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants --everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear, which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor --anywhere in the world.
In the future days which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression --everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way-- everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want, which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants --everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear, which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor --anywhere in the world.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Happy 2nd Birthday
Dear GG,
I just finished listening to my recorded conversation with Arlene last May 9, 2009. You see my 2-year old cell phone has this feature that can record anything including telephone conversations. Anyhow, the last thing that I said in that phone conversation with my BFF was “Arlene, I am now appointing you to be part of my Search Committee”. Thirteen days after, she introduced me to you.
It was one of my goals for 2009 – to go and visit a new place every month. It started when we went to Sagada last December 2008. Since then, I had been to different places. For May, it was Cagbalete at Mauban, Quezon. I prepared for this trip. I was so excited to go somewhere new to forget the old.
You were such a snob when I first met you. You did not even look at me when I offered you some cookies. It was like you had a stiff neck or something – I was seated behind you, remember? During the whole trip to Cagbalete, you did not even acknowledge that I exist. But I did notice that you have a firm hand when you helped me get into the boat.
It never even occurred to me that you and I would become friends – much less sweethearts. And yet here we are... on our 2nd month already. It seems like I have known you for years! The Universe never fails to amaze me. Just when I was ready to give up on love, here it comes offering me something that I could not resist – your friendship and your love.
I know many people would not agree but, I want to thank you for being very kind to me and for being so loving. Probably it also helped that you are into explaining things. Not once did I feel that you don’t love me. And even for that alone, I am very grateful.
The other night, you were thanking me for loving you. I wanted you to know that I feel the same way with you - thank you for walking into my life, unexpected and unannounced, bringing in with you wonderful and (if I may say) out-of-my-world things. But most of all, I want to thank you also for loving me.
Looking forward to more days, more months, and more years ahead with you.
Mwah! =)
Hugging you tightly...
I just finished listening to my recorded conversation with Arlene last May 9, 2009. You see my 2-year old cell phone has this feature that can record anything including telephone conversations. Anyhow, the last thing that I said in that phone conversation with my BFF was “Arlene, I am now appointing you to be part of my Search Committee”. Thirteen days after, she introduced me to you.
It was one of my goals for 2009 – to go and visit a new place every month. It started when we went to Sagada last December 2008. Since then, I had been to different places. For May, it was Cagbalete at Mauban, Quezon. I prepared for this trip. I was so excited to go somewhere new to forget the old.
You were such a snob when I first met you. You did not even look at me when I offered you some cookies. It was like you had a stiff neck or something – I was seated behind you, remember? During the whole trip to Cagbalete, you did not even acknowledge that I exist. But I did notice that you have a firm hand when you helped me get into the boat.
It never even occurred to me that you and I would become friends – much less sweethearts. And yet here we are... on our 2nd month already. It seems like I have known you for years! The Universe never fails to amaze me. Just when I was ready to give up on love, here it comes offering me something that I could not resist – your friendship and your love.
I know many people would not agree but, I want to thank you for being very kind to me and for being so loving. Probably it also helped that you are into explaining things. Not once did I feel that you don’t love me. And even for that alone, I am very grateful.
The other night, you were thanking me for loving you. I wanted you to know that I feel the same way with you - thank you for walking into my life, unexpected and unannounced, bringing in with you wonderful and (if I may say) out-of-my-world things. But most of all, I want to thank you also for loving me.
Looking forward to more days, more months, and more years ahead with you.
Mwah! =)
Hugging you tightly...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
A Tribute to President Cory
I thank God for making me a Filipino. It is a privilege.
~ President Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino
Taken during the 2nd Anniversary of PinoyME last February 26, 2008 at the Inter-Continental Manila - GBRamos
I was supposed to go to Corregidor that day but as soon as I heard the news about the death of President Corazon C. Aquino, I knew that I had to totally forego the trip. My boss already alerted us that should this happen we would be requested to come to the office to help in the preparation for the mass (sponsored by the Foundation) for her. Even if it was raining hard that day, I knew I would not miss this chance to pay my last respect to the one who led us back to freedom and democracy. For the first time in many months, I became thankful to be part of the Foundation because of the privilege to be in the first night of the wake of the Former President.
During the next few days, I monitored almost all the media releases that I can get my hands onto regarding the Former President. Funny how one’s mind and heart works - it was once said that a person would only know the value of another person when she loses her. I do not know her personally but I joined her family in shedding tears for the loss of their mother. This time I know that I am not alone. This time I know that the whole country mourns for the loss of its mother.
I was so used to seeing her on TV praying the rosary and encouraging the people to stand up and fight for democracy. To top it all up is that she had been a good mother both to her own children and to the whole country. She was a woman of faith and a woman of strength and compassion. It was amazing how in the world of politics, she was able to incorporate her faith in her everyday life. My faith was renewed just by seeing how faithful she was from the time of her presidency up to the last moment of her life and many people were really inspired by it.
In the last mass offered for her, Father Arevalo (a Jesuit priest and family friend) said that the best contribution Mrs. Aquino gave to the Filipino people is hope. Hope that we are worth something more that what we could ever think of because we are children of God.
As thousands and thousands of Filipino paid their last respect to the Philippine Mother of Democracy, allow me, though this entry, to pay my last respect and salute to you Mrs. President for paving the way of freedom and democracy for our generation and the generations to come.
Once again, you made us proud to be a Filipino. Thank you.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Feels like home... with you
Feels Like Home
Chantal Kreviazuk
Something in your eyes
Makes me want to lose myself
Makes me want to lose myself
In your arms
There's something in your voice
Makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts
The rest of my life
If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I've felt so low
If you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done
Chorus:
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where
I come from
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
A window breaks down a long dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I'm alright 'cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see through the dark there's light
If you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
If you knew how happy you are making me
I've never thought I'd love anyone so much
Chorus
Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Meet him
After a broken relationship.
After years and years of waiting.
After the acceptance and (eventually) closure.
After everything...
Meet him.
After years and years of waiting.
After the acceptance and (eventually) closure.
After everything...
Meet him.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
January Trip - Sagada
This is a long overdue entry that should be posted early January this year but for one reason or another I couldn’t sit down and write about it. What motivated me to start writing was the travel magazine that I read last night. It featured another amazing place in the region I previously detested – Mt. Pulag in Benguet the second highest peak in the country. I haven’t been to the place but it is definitely listed now in my places-to-see-before-I-die list.
To describe how much I don’t want to visit the Northern Regions of the Country, in almost (but not quite) 3 decades of my life, I have only been to Baguio once, that was last December 2008. And to think that we’ve been to Manaog, Pangasinan more than 10 times already (Baguio is just about an hour away from that place). The change in perception came when my bestest friend and I went to Sagada last December 26-30, 2008.
The idea was brought up by a college friend when we saw each other in September last year. It was unfortunate, however, that he wasn’t able to join us in this trip. We left Manila on the eve of December 26 and arrived the following day a little before lunch time. We stayed at Mapiya-Aw Pensione House (a very cozy place) from December 27 to 29.
It took us more or less 14 hours to go from Manila to Sagada (via Banawe). On our way home, we took the Baguio route which took us 12 hours – 6 hours from Sagada to Baguio another 6 hours from Baguio to Pasay). It was a trip well worth the long hours of sitting inside a jam-packed bus.
There were a lot of words to describe Sagada – all of them positive. It was a perfect place to commune with one’s self, with nature and with God. I went there with full expectations that I will finally have the much longed for silence and rest to sort out my thoughts. I went there to have a “meeting” with God in the silence of my heart. And true enough, all expectations were met. The solitude of the place provided the avenue to think and reflect on things that happened – all of them in the past – not to forget but to serve as guide in my journey to the future. In the silence my heart, I once again found God where he embraced me with the beauty of his wonderful creation.
I will go back to that wonderful place... promise. :)
Stop over at Bontoc
Sagada main street and plaza
Sagada Mapiya-aw Pensione
Sagada Sumaguing Cave
Sagada Plaza and Echo Valley
Sagada Orange Farm and the people we met :)
To describe how much I don’t want to visit the Northern Regions of the Country, in almost (but not quite) 3 decades of my life, I have only been to Baguio once, that was last December 2008. And to think that we’ve been to Manaog, Pangasinan more than 10 times already (Baguio is just about an hour away from that place). The change in perception came when my bestest friend and I went to Sagada last December 26-30, 2008.
The idea was brought up by a college friend when we saw each other in September last year. It was unfortunate, however, that he wasn’t able to join us in this trip. We left Manila on the eve of December 26 and arrived the following day a little before lunch time. We stayed at Mapiya-Aw Pensione House (a very cozy place) from December 27 to 29.
It took us more or less 14 hours to go from Manila to Sagada (via Banawe). On our way home, we took the Baguio route which took us 12 hours – 6 hours from Sagada to Baguio another 6 hours from Baguio to Pasay). It was a trip well worth the long hours of sitting inside a jam-packed bus.
There were a lot of words to describe Sagada – all of them positive. It was a perfect place to commune with one’s self, with nature and with God. I went there with full expectations that I will finally have the much longed for silence and rest to sort out my thoughts. I went there to have a “meeting” with God in the silence of my heart. And true enough, all expectations were met. The solitude of the place provided the avenue to think and reflect on things that happened – all of them in the past – not to forget but to serve as guide in my journey to the future. In the silence my heart, I once again found God where he embraced me with the beauty of his wonderful creation.
I will go back to that wonderful place... promise. :)
Stop over at Bontoc
Sagada main street and plaza
Sagada Mapiya-aw Pensione
Sagada Sumaguing Cave
Sagada Plaza and Echo Valley
Sagada Orange Farm and the people we met :)
Friday, March 27, 2009
On self control
Hay Lord... I'm happily clinging unto you. :)
~~~
Self-Control Is Not an Option
Rick Warren
March 27, 2009
In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today's Devotional is based on this passage:
As we discussed yesterday, self-control is not optional for Christians. The race we are running is for eternity, and so we're to develop a strict discipline (1 Corinthians 9:25).
Here are some other steps to self-control.
Talk back to your feelings. Do you let your moods manipulate you? God doesn't want you to be controlled by your feelings. He wants you to master your moods. With Christ as the Master of your life, you can learn to master your feelings.
Talk back to them. Learn to challenge your emotions: "For the grace of God...teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives..." (Titus 2:11-12 NIV).
God's grace gives us the power to do what is right. God gives you the ability to say no to that feeling, to that desire, to that impulse.
Believe you can change. The fruit of the Spirit begins in your thought life. The seeds must be planted in your mind: The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act.
God gave us the power to change our habits when he gave us the power to choose our thoughts. Does Romans 12:2 tell us to be transformed by working hard at it or by sheer willpower? "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2 NIV).
What are we to be transformed by? The renewing of the mind. When your self-control is being tested, you need to fill your mind with the promises of God. First Corinthians 10:13 says, "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (NIV).
That's a fact. If you are a Christian, you can't honestly say, "The temptation was too strong; I couldn't help myself." The Bible says God is faithful. If you're a Christian, he won't let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
He never asks you to bear something that is bigger than the strength he puts inside of you through his Holy Spirit.
~~~
Self-Control Is Not an Option
Rick Warren
March 27, 2009
In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today's Devotional is based on this passage:
For the grace of God...teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives ~ (Titus 2:11-12 NIV).
As we discussed yesterday, self-control is not optional for Christians. The race we are running is for eternity, and so we're to develop a strict discipline (1 Corinthians 9:25).
Here are some other steps to self-control.
Talk back to your feelings. Do you let your moods manipulate you? God doesn't want you to be controlled by your feelings. He wants you to master your moods. With Christ as the Master of your life, you can learn to master your feelings.
Talk back to them. Learn to challenge your emotions: "For the grace of God...teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives..." (Titus 2:11-12 NIV).
God's grace gives us the power to do what is right. God gives you the ability to say no to that feeling, to that desire, to that impulse.
Believe you can change. The fruit of the Spirit begins in your thought life. The seeds must be planted in your mind: The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act.
God gave us the power to change our habits when he gave us the power to choose our thoughts. Does Romans 12:2 tell us to be transformed by working hard at it or by sheer willpower? "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2 NIV).
What are we to be transformed by? The renewing of the mind. When your self-control is being tested, you need to fill your mind with the promises of God. First Corinthians 10:13 says, "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (NIV).
That's a fact. If you are a Christian, you can't honestly say, "The temptation was too strong; I couldn't help myself." The Bible says God is faithful. If you're a Christian, he won't let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
He never asks you to bear something that is bigger than the strength he puts inside of you through his Holy Spirit.
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