The Blogger's Wish

Yes!

It's my birthday today!

How old am I?

That's not important. What you should know about is it's really my birthday today!

 

If you're asking me whether I had a blast on my birthday or not....Well, congratulations! It was a super happy birthday! Though I am feeling under the weather, the people around me made me forget about it and just made me focus and enjoy my birthday.

Thanks to my girlfriend who has always been creative,passionate and hardworking to give me a pleasant surprise. She made a video clip which I came to watch the people so close to me deliver their speeches of greetings and blessings for me here and abroad. My heartbeat stops for a few seconds while watching with amazement thinking how she did piece everything together. It was a very intricate task which takes a whole lot of patience in order to make such a moving video clip. 

Well, that doesn't end there. I had to go to the hospital for a medical check up because of the severe flu I am bearing. Then, it was immediately followed by a dental check up. After that,  I, together with my girlfriend, my brother and his family and a close friend, had our lunch at a steak restaurant.  Then, we went to another place to have my hair cut and had our tea time. We chatted and laughed together cherishing the old times and wondering how are we going to be like a few years from now. Finally, we headed home to have our dinner. It was a long worthwhile day. I wished that I could have more time to spend my birthday to the other people close to me, but unfortunately, I was really unwell so I had  to reach home and have a night rest.

 

I am so glad and thankful for the countless blessings that I received for this year. I can't even remember all of them one by one. My highest thanks to Lord Jesus Christ who never cease to amaze me every single day of my life with his wonderful touch and unparalleled grace that overflows upon my hands. I thank Him for using the people around me who continually inspire me and show how beautiful things are in all of my endeavors.

If I could have only one wish, it would be that the people I care and love so much about would receive the bountiful blessings and genuine happiness so I could see the priceless smiles on their faces which will in return bless me as well.

=)

My thoughts about 'The Maze Runner'

This is my very first book review that I have ever made in my blog. Pardon me for swerving a little bit but  I couldn't help myself to write my thoughts about the book, because it excites me so much. Given a solid one day holiday from school because of the Asian-African Conference Celebration and Commemoration, made me read and post this.

Thanks to Scott who owns this book

Finally, I was able to finish reading the first book from the Maze Runner series after a couple of weeks! Well, I actually prefer to watch it on a big screen rather than reading the book because I don't have the luxury of time at home. Besides, I am not really into reading books. But this one really caught my attention, so I decided to read the book after watching it. hehe!

Anyway, my thoughts about the book! Well, as what we usually expect, it was way different  and way better than the movie. I felt the Grievers more intimidating in the book. The precision of language created a vivid picture of what was really happening. James Dashner's wild imagination triggered mine which made me feel like I was in the maze with them. The plot was unpredictable and gripping. At the end of each chapter leaves you hanging that itches your fingers to flip on the next pages.

My favorite part of the book is when Thomas kept on making seemingly stupid and yet heroic deeds that left the characters astounded. He kept on putting his life on the line of death just to save his comrades. Thomas was unselfishly passionate and brave about savings the strangers' lives in spite of what they had treated him.

Upon reflecting and collecting my thoughts about him, a name suddenly popped up of nowhere. Thomas reminded me of Jesus who willingly put down His life on the cross just to save us. He knew what's going to happen, but He never backed down and gave up on us.

Jesus, for me, is still the most inspiring and the unsurpassed hero of all time.

Embrace your limitations!

"Mr. Noel, this is so hard!"

"Can't do it."

"How to do it?"

These are a few of the heart aching lines that I hear when my students are faced with difficult activities inside the classroom. Then, mixed emotions trigger my mood because I don't know if I should feel upset or pity on them because they are incapable of doing their tasks whereas for me, I have given everything they are supposed to do plain and simple. Then, I would end up explaining everything from the start and give fresh examples or models for them to follow through.

One time I, went home carrying the baggage of thoughts from school thinking and trying to put myself into their shoes. Then, I realized that I also do the same thing when I am faced with difficult situations. When I am confronted by sudden uncomfortable situations, I also whine up just the way my students would tell me. After that, I would pity myself for my limitations that keep me from doing other things that other people can do.Afterwards, I would seek God's comfort and wisdom to help me out of my disappointment.

To comfort myself even more, I recalled the icons in the Bible which had limitation issues in fulfilling God's word and there I found Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah,the disciples, Paul and others.

All of them had one thing in common: they put their faith to God that allowed them to succeed from  a seemed-to-be-impossible tasks that were given to them. My limitations are just the tip of the iceberg as compared to theirs so there's nothing to worry about.

From that day forward, I started to embrace my limitations and to seek God's voice to shed light in all of my circumstances. I  keep on reminding myself that we were born of our own limitations and God is here to fill in the gaps with joy and gladness.

Jack of all trades, master of none! How bad can it be?

As I grow older, I have been able to discover the things I am able to do such as playing music, sports, repairing some machines, cook some food, gardening, baby sitting and  a lot more. But, one thing I noticed is that I am not capable of pushing myself to perfect any of them. I am limited with each and every of those skills which make me feel frustrated especially in times when I see some people who are really good at what they are doing. Whereas I can see myself on the other side of the corner incapable of perfection.

More often I would see myself in the mirror and ask myself the same question: "Why I can't perfect any single skills?

"Jack-of-all-trades, master of none".

I am reminded by this line when I see myself in front of the mirror.

Well, how bad can it be?

At least I can have fun time for myself and help others in different ways. I am happy that I can learn a lot of things pretty easily. I can fit in myself in almost anything in the world. I must be grateful for having this gift because not everyone has the ability to learn the same things I could. Sometimes, I think like this maybe a tool for me to connect and reach out other people. It seems like God has given me this ability so He can use me to bless other people. 

Whatever the reason is, I must continue to uncover other potentials I may have and  strive myself towards fulfilling what God has planned for me to do with kindness and gratefulness.

Christ be all around me

"Above and below me
Before and behind me
In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me
Above and below me
Before and behind me
In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me
Whoa...Whoa...Christ be all around me"


These are some of a few lines from the song "Christ be all around me" by Michael W. Smith from his latest album "Sovereign".

Whenever we perform this song in an international church in Bandung, I could really feel the blood rushing through my veins and my tears flowing from my eyes as I play the guitar. This is one of the big reasons that's why it's one of my favorite song.

There are times in my christian life that I go through periods when I don't get emotional leading from God which brings me to the question: Where are you God when I am in distress?

I cried out to Him and yet He seems to be just quiet and non responsive.

What am I supposed to do in times like this?

David did the same thing and the same response from God.

Why does God behave that way? What are the reasons behind it?


One thing I learned recently in the past is that God is a very good listener. He likes to hear our prayers addressed to Him because He wants us to be closer to Him. He doesn't give up so easily and give us the feedback that we want. In a deeper relationship with God, we need to be tough and determined to continually talk with God about the issues going on in our lives. He wants us to acknowledge Him  before everything else. He is a jealous God in which He deserves from the time He sacrificed His own Son for all of our sins. So, we just owe Him everything that we do in our lives.

When you don't see something, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Look at the stars in the daylight. You may not see them, but they are always there. Never gone. We should not cloud ourselves with illusion which happens around us. The devil wants us to believe that God is not always there so he can snatch us from the true living God. We must stay strong and firm from the promise that God has given us until the day He comes.

Remember: God is never gone.He is ever present in any direction wherever you are and whatever you are struggling with. If you need strength and wisdom, don't hesitate to come before Him, and He is much willing to hear your voice and eventually do something for your own good.

What does freedom really mean?

When I was still a kid, I felt like so lazy going to school. I felt so anxious when Sunday steps in knowing that tomorrow I had to drag myself to school. Damn! That was just horrible! I would always wish that time would fly me to the time when I already become mature, independent, and most especially, free to do the things I want to do.

Now, I am already here, but it seems like nothing has changed. I feel like I still get those awkward moments when Sunday kicks in especially before the sun sets down. Also, I still get those worries about tomorrows especially in my job. I got the chance to spend time my hobbies, favorite foods and other vested interests together with my love ones, family and to myself.  I felt like I'm still inside the box unable to stretch every inch of my arms and legs. Then, every night I ask myself, "Am I really free?"

Freedom is more than the fact that you can do everything you want. It means more like being free from your sins and old habits that do not glorify God. Breaking the chain of sin is not easy to do. It takes much more courage and strong faith that in the end, God is watching your back whenever you fall from your weakness ready to pick you up in His merciful hands. I am weak and yet I believe that God will help me finish the war against myself. Truly, the toughest guy you need to face is yourself.

This situation I am facing might be the same ground where you are standing right now. And I recommend you to stay put and wear the armor and carry the sword of God through His word and grace. Let's continue to ask for His comfort and wisdom so we will be guided accordingly.

I think that is the freedom I have always wanted for my entire life. Freedom from guilt and sins of the world.

Photo credit:

www.reginasfamilyseasons.com

burningfireshutinmybones.wordpress.com

A Total Makeover

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the motorcycle shop for my motorcycle's makeover. I had its whole body covered with film to prevent it from scratch. I had my plate number cover that matched the color of my wheel linings. I changed its  muffler into a deep bassy one that does sound like a big bike.  And I had my side mirrors changed with the smaller and cooler ones.  Luckily, it went out very well and my motorcycle has never been as new as it was before. I was so happy that I got rid of the parts that made my motorcycle look awful.

When I went back home, the night before I slept, I was thinking if God can renew me inside especially with my faith towards Him because recently, I felt like a distance away from Him. I don't do the things I ever used to before like writing my blogs, reading at least three chapters in a day, and passionately praying especially before I hit the bed. I kept on praying every night that God will do something and pull everything in my life  back where it used to be. I am guilty for what I am now and I think I really need a makeover just like what I did with my motorcycle for I am sure that He would be so happy to see me as new as I was never before.

Here are the things I would be grateful to win them back:

I want to be as productive as before especially in writing my blogs and reading His word on a daily basis.

I want to be more sensitive to the people around me especially to the ones I love.

I want to be more fond of my work regardless of the rewards.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
                                                                                  -Psalm 51:10



I know that it would be really tough but I must believe that God will always be right here with me. I need to remember that He would be so happy if I would renew myself for his eternal glory and honor.



AMEN