Just Say Baaaa! By MaryBeth Whalen

I spent some time this morning just confessing before God that I am a sheep. And I don't mean that in an "I'm not fat, I'm fluffy" kind of way. I mean in a dirty, smelly, dumb animal kind of way. Let me explain.

As I was praying, I noticed myself once again asking God for some affirmation and encouragement on a specific issue. Now, I have asked for this before - many times, in fact. And God is faithful to answer each and every time. And so, there I was again, asking Him to supply something I know He knows we have already covered. Why can't I accept this covering once and for all? Why can't I rest on His promises and accept Him at His word, once and for all? As I listened to myself asking my Heavenly Father for the same thing all over again, I wondered, "Why doesn't He get tired of me already and tell me to go bother someone else?" And I realized, because I am a sheep. And He expects me to act like a sheep.

As I thought about this, I realized how many other dumb sheep things I do daily. I lose my way. I ask questions for which I already know the answers. My attitude stinks. I ram my head against the same brick wall, hoping for different results. I wander off from Him and then pout because I feel like He's not there for me. I am a sheep. Yet, He is the Shepherd. Ezekiel 34:11-12a says, "For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep" (NIV). How I need the comfort, nurture and protection of the Shepherd.

After I spent time just confessing how sheep-like I am, I spent time praising Him for His infinite patience with us, His flock. I praised Him for knowing how dirty, smelly and dumb we are and loving us anyway. I praised Him that He knows how very little we have to offer and accepts it as our gift to Him. A shepherd doesn't expect his sheep to be wolves or eagles or anything other than sheep. Knowing that comforted me in the strangest sort of way. I love knowing that He leaves the 99 to get the one lost, hopeless sheep. (Matthew 18:12-13 NIV). He doesn't pick the sheep up and yell at it for acting like a sheep. Instead He patiently, lovingly carries it back to the flock and resumes His watch.

I love knowing that when I bring my little insecurities to Him, revealing my weaknesses and confusion, He doesn't say, "How can you be so stupid?" He says, "I expected nothing less from a sheep" and loves me anyway.

I hope that, like me, this will comfort you today. I hope that when you feel lost, hopeless, and smelly or just plain dumb for making the same mistakes or going to God with the same requests, you will just reflect on being a sheep. Spend time thanking Him for loving you anyway and being your Shepherd every day.

Dear Lord, thank You for being my Shepherd, and for loving me even when I act like a sheep. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Power Verses:
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." (NIV)
Psalm 28:9, "Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever." (NIV)
John 10:14-15, "I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me???just as the Father knows me and I know the Father???and I lay down my life for the sheep." (NIV)
Isaiah 53:6: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (NIV)

a message brings you something of a shock today...

hehehe kulet...

'nyway ang wento...

sabi sa horoscope, baassaa...

"A message brings you something of a shock today. But after you have read the words over and over, and taken it all in several times, you will realize that, in fact, the romantic situation it refers to is not about to end, but is about to enter an exciting and very new phase. So you can stop trembling, and celebrate instead!"

uuuiiisst, celebrate ... "message daw! message daw!" icheck ang phone, ang email, etc... eh wala namang message na nakakashock. basahin ko nga uli.

A message brings you something of a shock today.
A message brings you something of a shock today.
A message brings you something of a shock today.

teka.....

"....But after you have read the words over and over..."

eh ang paulit-ulit ko lang naman na binabasa eh yung prediction.

acheche.

yun lang.

tgif.... GB! ;P

The Story of Jonah (Jonah 4: 1-11)

1 But this was greatly
displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry.
2
"I beseech you, LORD," he
prayed, "is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? This is
why I fled at first to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and merciful
God, slow to anger, rich in clemency, loathe to punish.
3
And now, LORD,
please take my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live."
4
But the LORD asked, "Have you reason to be angry?"
5
Jonah then left
the city for a place to the east of it, where he built himself a hut and waited
under it in the shade, to see what would happen to the city.
6 And when the
LORD God provided a gourd plant, that grew up over Jonah's head, giving shade
that relieved him of any discomfort, Jonah was very happy over the plant.
7
But the next morning at dawn God sent a worm which attacked the plant, so
that it withered.
8
And when the sun arose, God sent a burning east
wind; and the sun beat upon Jonah's head till he became faint. Then he asked for
death, saying, "I would be better off dead than alive."
9
But God said
to Jonah, "Have you reason to be angry over the plant?" "I have reason to be
angry," Jonah answered, "angry enough to die."
10
3 Then the LORD said,
"You are concerned over the plant which cost you no labor and which you did not
raise; it came up in one night and in one night it perished.
11
And
should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more
than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right
hand from their left, not to mention the many cattle?"

There was a period in my community life that I felt that everything is not in it's right place. At some point I even felt that we were succumbing into an "attack", and that there are changes that should be done but even if I voice it out, no one hears. To make it worse, i will hear this "eh wala tayong magagawa, ganun talaga.". Ganun na nga lang ba talaga?

People are leaving. and I felt it was my time to do it too. Even though in your heart, you wanted to do good service, it felt as if you're becoming Martha, and that you're doing everything. But I think my biggest challenge was that there were some things that I don't agree with, that there were things that can be done to make the service easier. The spirit of belonginess for new members, in particular, was the one I was feeling strongly about, because once upon a time I was that new member too, and I know how they were feeling now.

And then one night, God showed me the story of Jonah. God gave Jonah a mission and the first thing that he did was flee by boarding a ship, because he didn't believe that Nineveh deserves the chance that God is giving them. But God pursued him... never stopping until Jonah understands God's compassion to the city of Nineveh. At one point, Jonah felt so strongly about what he think was right, that he decided to leave the city and watch the city from a distance, as God worked His ways for the people of Nineveh. God let him run away again, and gave him a gourd plant, providing shade to relieve him from the intense heat where he chose to stay. Jonah felt safe and happy.

I felt that way too, that short period that I was away. Well, as Jonah was, I was just watching from a distance and did not fully turn my back... watching what will happen while finding comfort with new friends and a new way of life. I did not realize that I was relying on a temporary escape, and on people rather than God himself. I thought my "gourd plant" was my new mission, since God understood my decision to turn my back on my previous one.

And then He took it all away. I wasn't angry but I couldn't comprehend the situation that I was in. I felt I did everything right, opened my heart and accepted all the imperfections that my "gourd plant" had.

Yet it was true... He said it had cost me no labor.. i did not raise it... it came up one day and in one night it perished.

God was making a point, as He was back then with Jonah. And I hope I got it correctly. Jonah's story is a parable of mercy, that it is not God's way to punish, although it seems as first, until we fully comprehend His Will. The experience I had on taking care of my "gourd plant" gave me lessons that I'm now using to take care of my household. If not for that, I wouldn't have able to fully comprehend many of those problems or issues that we encounter today. When I came back to become a household head, I found that I was in the midst of wonderful people, that inspite of their brokenness, they were just looking for God too. Just like me. God is choosing to show His compassion. And God was putting me in difficult situations before, and He continually do so, so He can use me as His witness to His Mercy.

The one thing I'm sure of is, I will still feel the same way every now and then. I will still have strong opinions. I will still say "no" and at some point will feel the urge to flee. But I know that God knows that too, and He will continually to let me learn to have faith and patience so that whatever I was "feeling" or "deciding on my own", bottom line is I will still have the urge to go back and do His Will.

Kasi iba pag si God na nanligaw sa yo.

God bless!

I wab candy!

Babawan na lang natin ang mga bagay-bagay para mas madaling maintindihan ... =)

"I'm quite sure when you look back at every thing that had happened to you this year, you will simply get amazed at how much effort, time, and emotion you had invested into something. And then you realize that the something is not as much important as the things you value now. Wala lang!"

isa pa...

"I don't know with you pero ako kasi, may sakit ako na pinoproblema masyado ang problema. To make things worst, minsan hindi ko naman problema, pinoproblema ko pa rin. Hahahahahaa! Tiring!"

See below for the full article :D

at para sa ndi cono, this one's from Eunice Olsen (SG Member of Parliament) -- "In tough times you can either wallow in misery or move on."

Eh Move on lang sabay sabi "Wala lang" ... at nakarelate daw talaga ko o ! :P

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year peeps! Malapit na Pilipinas, game ka na ba?! =)

Wala lang by Candy
Pangilinan
http://www.pep.ph/blogs/candidly/?p=15

Naiinis ako, kasi nagalit ako ngayon ng
bonggang-bongga! As in, ngayon-ngayon lang....Bakit?

Nag-inuman ang mga angels namin dito sa
bahay. Belated birthday celebration daw nung yaya ng anak ko. Uminom pero 'di
man lang nagpaalam sa akin, 'di man lang ako in-inform, nalasing pa! Grrrr! 'Di
man lang ako niyaya (joke!).

Honestly, I feel bad that I got mad. I
wasn't able to contain my emotions. I just snapped. Mali! Sayang, eh!
Yup...That's what I really feel at the moment. Sayang! I shouldn't have been
affected so much because it won't do anything to help the situation. To make
things worst, when I got mad, the yaya was sound asleep, drunk! So therefore, no
effect whatsoever ang acting ko. Dapat kasi, I should have taken it as...Wala
lang.

It's okay to get upset, but I shouldn't have
let it control me. Kasi feeling ko for that moment, naging Ms. Minchin ako.
Dapat, wala lang! Napagod na ako, napaos pa ako, nagsisi pa ako ngayon. Grrrr!
Tapos siya, sila...wala lang! Naisahan nila sko dun!
Wala lang...

Pasko na naman o kay tulin ng araw, aminin
mo, Paskong nagdaan tila ba kung kailan lang. Ngayon ay pasko...na naman! Na
naman!

Another year had passed. So many things
happened to me. So many things had changed-the way I see things and see people.
But then again, parang wala lang.
Each year has 525,600 minutes! Amazing!
Anong nangyari? Dami naman! And if I will tell you what transpired each minute,
gosh, that's going to be a looooong entry. And looking too much at those details
might again change me. Now, as I look back at all the carousel, tumblings,
drama, and action I had this year...wala lang!

I had traveled to several countries this
year. Pero parang wala lang.

The people I dislike the most last January
are now my friends. That's after realizing that they too have good traits. So
then, wala lang!

I remember having this ultra crush during
the first quarter of the year. As in. Para akong higad, ang Kati! Ngayon, 'di ko
na siya crush. Wala lang!

I did two television series, a movie, a
couple of shows this year. Wala lang!

I had a criminal case. I made a visit to
Hall of Justice several times. I filed bail last January 2. I even joked that I
am trying to flee from the cops, doing udercover, given the different hairstyles
I had then. Case closed. Now, wala lang!

My son got sick, got confined, and I got
sick as well. (Siguro dala na rin ng kaartehan ko.) Ngayon, wala lang!

I got so thin during the first quarter of
the year, now, I am gaining weight again. I'm back to running around UP academic
oval again, and after all that hard work, yes, I am gaining weight again.
Nevertheless, wala lang! Di ko naman pwede bw*sitin ang sarili ko everyday dahil
tumaba ako, kasi nasarapan ako sa pagkain.

Oh yes! I remember, there was a time that I
had no money this year, then I had money, then I had none again, then I worked
really hard and had money again. After that financial roller coaster, here I
am...wala lang!

Nagkaroon ng Gretchen-John controversy, but
gretchen and tonyboy are still going strong. Wala lang!

Claudine got pregnant, had a baby, and is
now back to her slim figure. Wala lang!

Piolo and Sam have an issue, Lolit enters
the picture. I'm sure na sa ending, wala lang!

If I get affected sa lahat ng nangyayari sa
paligid ko, by now, I'm quite sure na baliw na ako! And that goes for you as
well!

Kasi nga yung traffic lang sa edsa
'pag-nagpa-affect ka...you cannot reconcile the fact that when it rains here in
manila the streets get too crowded. And with everything that Bayani has been
doing, traffic pa rin. The best way to see traffic is...wala lang!

I'm quite sure when you look back at every
thing that had happened to you this year, you will simply get amazed at how much
effort, time, and emotion you had invested into something. And then you realize
that the something is not as much important as the things you value now. Wala
lang!

Simpler example, my problems last January
ain't my problems anymore. Wala lang!
Kasi nga naman kung problema ko pa yung
problema ko last January, my golly, ang laki ng problema ko! Twelve months in
the making and healing! Dapat by this time, wala lang na ang reaction ko.

I would love to have that attitude. Wala
lang! It's not that I am insensitive about people and situations. It's just that
I see things differently. It's sort of not allowing anything or anybody to
consume me. (Naks! Ang lalim nun...kung ano man ang sinabi ko.) But that's true!
Maganda yung ganun! Kasi hindi nakakapagod masyado.

I don't know with you pero ako kasi, may
sakit ako na pinoproblema masyado ang problema. To make things worst, minsan
hindi ko naman problema, pinoproblema ko pa rin. Hahahahahaa! Tiring!

I hope magkaroon ako ng billboard sa EDSA.
Tapos ang nakalagay, "Wala Lang."
And when people ask me, "ano yung picture
mo sa EDSA?" Ang sagot ko, "Di ba nga, wala lang!"

I declare that wala lang attitude can
actually save one person from the agony, pain, persecution, time, effort, and
energy, contrary to the pa-affect attitude. My motto that goes with this kind of
attitude is, "Pikon talo!"

You? What had happened to you these past 12
months? Marami 'di ba? Pero parang wala lang.

we will support your decisions whatever it is...

Just keep focus at do not be affected masyado (minsan mahirap but it is a decision if you really want to be happy).
Sometimes your dreams are cut off by unexpected events but we know that God has better plans for you ahead.
He will make it clear to you when the time comes. Continue to pray and do not loose hope.
Kahit nasasaktan tayo minsan it is his way of grooming and pruning us.
God is our Potter and we are His sculpture. How can we be His perfect sculpture if he will just not let any chisel to come to us
And be molded as He plan. He will let us endure hurt not to point it will break us but to teach us and be better.

I know you are tougher than that, when the tough times comes the tough gets going and we can do that with Christ who strengthens us .
Isa sa mga natutunan ko not let my emotions take control.
Di sabi sa kanta: Thank you Lord for the Trials that come my way in that way I can grow each day as I let You Lead.

-- nanay.

Tama na kwento

Ito ang istorya ni chonainthecity. Kaibigan ni anasuzuki. Kakilala ni titaybato.
Kinagat si titaybato ng aso ni chonainthecity.
Nagtalo sila. Kelangan ipagamot si titaybato. Kelangan patayin ang aso ni chonainthecity.
Mahal ni chonainthecity si bantay, ang aso nyang tapat.
Pero kinailangan din sa bandang huli na masunod ang gusto ni titaybato.

buong tapat na nagsalita si anasuzuki sa dalawa.

kay titaybato-- "Ayos, masaya ko para sa yo."
kay chonainthecity -- "I know you're going through a lot, am just here for you if you need someone to talk too."

How can you be happy and sad for two people at the same time on the same situation?
Where's the sincerity?

One point pa lang yan.

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wala namang masama.. cguro nga habang kinikilala pa nating ang isat-isa, ndon parin ung kelangan nating magsukat at manimbang dahil we all have different personalities, different experiences.. and lalabas talaga un sa iba't ibang circumstances.. gaya nito.. and allow lng natin ung sarili natin na tanggapin kung ano man ung madiscover natin.. kng nde talaga kaya, im sure meron parin maituturo satin un at may purpose un...

'So friend, I was and still am here for you. Believe it or not. Pero I can't fit the package na i think you expect, tama ba?' -- alam ko naman un e.. daming beses ko na napatunayan.. at lahat un naremind sakin kgbe.. all my gratefulness will not fit into two words 'thank you'... believe it or not din.. heheh... alam mo ba... nde pa.. kc ngyon ko palng sasabihin.... heheh.. ur one of the closest friends i have and value most d lng d2 sa sg, kundi in my entire life... iilan lng un kc nde madaling hanapin for me.. so yeah, u fit that package... at pareho tyong marami pang kakainin at work in progress.. =)
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you say the words but it don't feel right
what do you expect me to say?
you know it's just too little too late.

you take my hand and you say you've changed
but you know your begging don't fool me
it's just too little too late.

i can love with all of my heart
i know i have so much to give
you know all the right things to say
it's just too little too late.

Go find someone else
i'm letting you go
i'm loving myself
you gotta problem
don't come asking me for help
it's just too little too late.

Levelan na lang.
Peace be.

Ano na nga

 

"Don't let someone become a priority in your life... When you are just an option in their life. Relationships work best when they are balanced."

 

 

Walker's Song

Time to let go
Of strings that bound
When I come to terms with this.
I'll come back to see you again.
Maybe just to catch a glimpse.
But for now they tell me to say goodbye.
And I realized Mr Bojangles is right
As he danced my way he told me
I hold on to the logic I know are just excuses
Because the truth is harder than it seems to be.
For me.

(And) you know what I want
But I know what you need
You just didn't see
You could have had me
Positively clueless
And they say I even deserve someone better.
I just knew you were enough.
I just knew you were enough.

There's the ship waiting for me
Only I worry about you
On that road you're taking.
I'm holding your hand
You were with me for a while
But now I know I'm alone in this
and I'm holding you too tight , Hold Away Jack
You're already looking away
Ready to take that journey
And sadly I can't go with you
I have my own journey to take too
So slowly I'm learning to let go.

took all the steps
still you lost a good thing here
will you realize it
I'd like to believe I'll be there forever
I still like to believe it.
My sweetest fallacy.

salingket

I'm next in line
when she's not around
when you think there's no chance
i'm the one you'll call
and i'll say yes
your salingket.

Thank You

It's been a very busy year. But definitely most loved.
I got to do a lot of things that I've planned earlier.
But I didn't get the wishes I made.
It's okay. =)
I got to play. Share the music I loved to a lot of people.
And best of all, I've met the truest friends.
So thank you, especially for:
(1) those who were always there in my life, even though at times I've chosen to turn my back in favor of other people who I thought were true friends of mine. I came back, and you welcomed me with open arms. Remember the tears hehehe? They were for the wrong people. You know the story.
(2) those who are new in my life and chose to understand me and be my friend, inspite of my weaknesses (read: topak). people in (1) will let you know there's always a reason behind it, it's just not always obvious as i'm good in hiding my feelings.
(3) those who made me feel good during the times there were people who made my life worse. ang galing nyo! if i were handling it alone, nasa pinas na ko. =) this year was not an easy ride for me, if you only knew. but i chose to be happy, and in turn, God gave me you. so thank you for being God's instruments in my life. His Love for me shone through you. Another year ahead... promise I'll stop being maldita na hehehe... whatever it brings, raaakkeeenn!!!

This is not a poem

i fell in love and lost the battle..
You brought me far away from those who love me...
You gave me music but then You took it all away
Friends came and then left,
It's all starting to bear on me.

Why can't I just listen?
Even if You assure me of Your plans,
of Your might hand,
Why am I still feeling lost?
Why do I still have the urge to run away?
Why can't I trust that even if I seem to drift, You're here with me?

My misery has worn out my listener
For who can love such company
I wish I could say I can choose to be happy
but in the midst of my worship, I'm feeling crushed
no longer in control, no longer the happy follower
only broken & weary as I look at You on the cross.

How many times did I feel this way?
It's like a no ending ferriz wheel ride for me
When I'm down, I try very hard to put myself up
Reaching to everyone, someone to give me a hand
But when I finally do and reach that certain high
Time seems too fast, too short...
and then I find myself downcast again
falling slowly..
I'm getting tired of it.

That's why I want to run away
to somewhere safe where I won't be hurt
where I won't fall
where people don't judge, assume something apart from who I truly am
and will not be able to hurt me this way.

You know my heart Lord
I like to believe that even if it's not perfect
that sometimes I can still make You smile
that sometimes I'm capable of what's right in Your eyes
But this time I'm just too hurt, too worn out
Let Your Spirit rain down.

God is good

Though I may not understand
All the plans You have for me
My life is in Your Hands
and through the eyes of faith
I can clearly see...

Paulit Ulit Lang Naman.

nagsimula silang magbiro
manuro ng ibang tao
kaya nga napatingin
sa sulok mong tinaguan

nakita ko habang ika'y
lihim na nangiti sa biro nila
kung alam mo lang...
sana'y nakita ko na lang
na iba ang iyong naramdaman

bakit kasi nahulog pa
wala namang katuturan
lam ko namang may pinagbibigyan ka lang
kaya't posibleng bagay gustong pigilan

lalayo na ko talaga
naunahan mo lang naman
kung ayaw mo, eh di ayaw ko rin
hayaang mamuti na lang ang yong mata
habang hinihintay mong pansinin ko ang tawag mong makulit...
naghihintay sa wala.

"laging naniniwala.
ndi nagsasawa.
nahilo sa gayuma.
kaya nawawala.
laging umaasa.
ano bang meron sya?
paulit ulit lang naman.
pinapaikot ka.
walang kadala dala.
napapatulala.
naghihintay sa wala."

ewan ko... ndi ko alam...

Sabi-sabi:
Your close friends and family members will always be in your life, ready to make you smile -- but when push comes to shove (as it probably will today), you are the only person who can completely understand the battles you've fought, the lessons you've learned, and the skills you possess. So if you need to get some clarity on where you are and where you're going, consult the best expert possible -- yourself! Have an internal dialogue, and listen to your gut.

me: so ano lilipat ba tayo ng OZ?
self: ikaw. pwede naman. nakita mo yung post for opening. swak ka dun.
me: eh ayutuh na eh. :(
self: pero sayang naman lahat ng nagawa mo na. eto pang me opening na, willing to sponsor ka.
me: eh pano na yan ang dami ko ng gamit, tamad na kong magpalipat lipat, wala na kong ginawa kundi lumipat.
self: nomad ka kasi, ndi ka rin matutuwa kung matengga ka dito. kaunting panahon lang, maiinip ka na naman.
me: at mababato. katulad ngayon, kausap ko na naman sarili ko.
self: haay, hanubayan, hihikain ako sa yo. hirap mong sabayan hanggang kanto.
me: ano na nga, wala pa rin tayong desisyon?
self: san ka ba masaya.
me: sa pinas.
self: eh di sa pinas ka na lang. sabi ka ng sabing uuwi ka na, lagi na lang ganyan. sabi mo hanggang 2007 ka lang.
me: kaya nga. kaya nga mag OOZ.
self: OOZ OOZ ... ZOO na bagsak mo nyan.
me: ewan ko... ndi ko lam... wag na lang nating pag-usapan.

"field trip sa may pagawaan ng lapis, ay katulad ng buhay natin, isang mahabang pila, at walang katuturan."

ang fanget muh.

I hate these games we play
It's making me crazy
thinkin' about you ev'ryday
are you really just scared?
or am i just makin' believe?
I can't trust you
That's all there is to say.

FW: Thank You

DEAR GOD:
I want to thank You for what you have already done.

* I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now.
* I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.
* I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now.
* I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears ; I am thanking you right now.
* I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.
* I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now.
* I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now.
* I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.
* I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now.
* I am thanking you because I am alive.
* I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.
* I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
* I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because, FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

God is just so good, and he's good all the time.

umagang kay ganda

"Wag ka mag alala, wala akong kaaway.
Nabawasan lang ng kaibigan, pero ayos lang yon.
Ganyan talaga ang buhay.
Basta't tayoy, magkasama, laging merong umagang kay ganda! :)"

--markmaya

Regalo Ni Lord

Malapit ng mag-ending ang kabanata.
Kaunting panahon na lang, panibago na naman.
Mabuti na lang at kahit papaano may nagbago
May mga pangyayaring nagbigay buhay sa panahon.
Magandang ending sa patapos na tagpo.

Malungkot at Masaya
Pag dumating na ang takda
na dapat ng magpaalam.
Ngunit kahit sa maikling oras
Ako pa ri'y nagpapasalamat.
Dahil sa mga pag-uunlak, sa pagtanggap ng pakikipagkaibigan.
Tunay ngang marami kong natutunan.
Tunay ngang maraming nagpaligaya.

Kaya't sa kaunting nalalabi,
Lulubusin ko na.
Sa lahat na bukas ang loob na ako'y tanggapin
Pupunuuin ang natitirang oras pang ibinigay sa kin.
Babaunin lahat ng iyong panaginip
kwento ng buhay at mga hagikhik
Hanggang sa paunlakan na nga ng Maykatha
Na baguhin ang storya kong hinihibi.

At sa darating na panahon
Na ako'y mamaalam ng totoo
Lahat ng baon mula sa yo kaibigan
Aking bibigyang halagang lubos.
Ndi man tayo magkita ng muli, mabuti't naisip na sadyang maikli
kaya't ang panahong ating ginugol
Tunay kong matatamisin.

Hindi mo pa alam, baka nga mauna ka pa
Magbago rin ng storya dahil sa mga plano sa buhay.
Basta para sa kin, lagi ko tong iisipin
Para bawat saglit, may halaga para sa kin.

Di bale ng walang picture
Di bale ng walang video
Basta't tatatasan ko na lang ang mapurol kong isipan
O dadaanin na lang sa essence of chicken ang lahat.

Yan ang regalo ni Lord.
Bago payagang ako'y lumayag paibayo.
Thank you po.
Malapit na.

FW: Caller ID

On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the phone.
The pastor let the phone ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night.
The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about. Then the man said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, "That's, OK. Let me tell you my story.
You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. I was afraid to answer!"
The reason why it showed on the man's caller ID that the call came from "Almighty God" is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!!

Father's Day

The story of the prodigal son touches my heart because it's about the patience of a father to wait for his son. He showed unconditional love when the son returned to him.

They say that with parents, giving unconditional love is natural for them. But children like us, will always expect too much from them. It's never enough.

I grew up handling the joy and pain of being a kid of an impatient guy. He's very quick to temper and a disciplinarian. Sometimes, I try to explain his actions to my friends, who have witnessed how he can be unreasonable at times. But through it all I was lucky that God gave me the chance to know my father's wonderful side at a young age that even to this day that he gets crappy (^_^), I can still love him unconditionally.

From time to time, I would remember the night when I went to visit the house of my aunt. I think I was around five years old back then. I've been wanting to go home but my grandmother, who took me to my aunt's house, didn't want to go back to our home. I know my father will be looking for me so I waited for him to come. But the night came and he still didn't show up. I didn't have a choice but to stay.

Then, at the break of dawn, I woke up and saw, from the window, a glimpse of a man coming from the street. I knew it was my father but I wasn't sure. He knocked for a long time, and I just stared at the window. I wanted my aunt to open the door, but being a shy girl, I couldn't bring my self to wake her up. In the end, my dad decided to go home. But not without trying long enough to wake someone up. Only, it was just me who woke up and not anyone else. I watched as he turned his back, walk away, turned again and watch the house, then went home.

Up until this day, my eyes well up whenever I remember it. I know, once my father is forever gone, I will, forever, hold on to this memory. As I grew up, I saw his imperfections. I saw the good and bad things. And, like any other human being, I sometimes fail to love him. But whenever I feel this way, my mind (and heart) brings me back to that memory of my childhood, when my father showed me love unconditionally, with that simple look as he was trying to decide whether to leave me there or continue to knock at the door. By going to my aunt's house after work, in the wee hours of the morning, he was hoping that he can gather his family to sleep in one roof that day as he watch over us.

Even up until today, my father will not sleep until he knows everyone who plans to go home will be in the house.

My bro doesn't know this. But I silently watch sometimes, while he waits for him. Father-Son relationship is always a different thing. I wish I could explain to bro that inspite of their differences, my father loves him. But sometimes you have to let life take it's course when everything else you try to do fails.

Back to my story, I still haven't mentioned it to my father. Because everytime I try, I feel the lump in my throat growing. I hope one day I get the chance.

Happy Father's Day!