Prayer on Finding God after a Long Search

St. Augustine's Prayer

Too late have i loved You, O Beauty so ancient, O Beauty so new. Too late have i loved You!  You were within me but i was outside myself, and there i sought You! In my weakness i ran after the beauty of the things You have made. You were with me, and i was not with You. The things You have made kept me from You - the things which would have no being unless they existed in You! You have called, You have cried, and You have pierced my deafness. You have radiated forth, You have shined out brightly, and You have dispelled my blindness. You have sent forth Your fragrance, and i have breathed it in, and I long for You. i have tasted You, and i hunger and thirst for You. You have touched me, and i ardently desire Your peace. 

Source:
Augustinian Spirituality

Copyright: Brown, et al

flowers! :)

              

 

            

Fun w/ my neon green nails! :)

November 24, 2012 - the day God shared something to young people through me.. what  an experience!!! :D

Jesus Lives in our Hearts

Jesus is everybody's hope. He was born 2000 years ago in a humble manger in Bethlehem, and up until now His story lives in the hearts of many people. He had spent His humanity in less than thirty-five years, but had only spent about three years preaching the Word of God. What was so special about Him that even for a long period of time the indelible print He has left on lives stayed alive? What is so significant about Him and what was His contribution to humanity?

i have never seen Him in person, but i have encountered Him personally - at home, in school, in the city and through the scriptures. Knowing Him and looking up respectable to Him, i hope to acquire the values/traits He has shown to those who encountered Him. He is somebody filled with love and capable of truly loving others, even sinners. He is all-knowing, and more than that, He is filled with immense wisdom about God and about the scriptures and their interpretations. He also has courage to stand up for God, the people He loved, and for the truth.

His deep love for God and for the people was shown in countless ways. Loving God, He communicated with the Father always, talking to Him and asking Him for guidance. His preaching and teaching the people shows His love for them. Because He was concerned for humanity, because He loved them, He wanted to teach them and show them the way, the truth, and the life. His life was endangered a lot of times; there was no assurance of a bountiful meal in every destination, but He kept on going until His work was fulfilled. Most importantly, His love for His Father and for the people was shown every time He submitted to the will of His Father, especially when the time came when it was His life that is needed to be given up. Thus, the greatest love story was broadcasted over generations.

Another quality of Jesus that amazed me was His profound knowledge of the scriptures and about the way He interprets them when preaching. His wisdom was shown during times teachers of the law or Pharisees tried to trap Him by their series questioning. Still Jesus was consistent in His knowledge and in His stand regarding the law and the scriptures. Because of this, He proved to everyone that what He was preaching to them was the truth, and that indeed, He is the Son of God.

Jesus was very courageous in fulfilling His mission and especially in facing a lot of challenges along the way. Although He had disciples who could assist Him in preaching, He received rejection in many places. But because He was very persistent in preaching the Word, He continued to go on and went to a lot more places to tell everyone about the truth. There was also a situation wherein people were buying and selling goods at the temple area and He drove them away. He did not want people to fool each other and lie to each other. Because He knew what was right, He did what was needed to be done, with courage and confidence. He was filled with courage because He was primarily moved by His Father's will to save the people and also because of His love for all. This courage was also seen when death was near. He admitted that if it is possible, let what was supposed to happen pass away. But in the end, He wanted His Father's will to be done. So, He faced death with an unfailing faith, and with courage, strength and love in His eyes. This act of love and courage, to die for one's friends, was indeed very touching and moving.

i really need to have these traits of Jesus, as in everyday. Although i could tell you of a story about how i showed courage for a stranger. i am very shy, so doing it was a very big achievement for me, and i was indeed very happy and fulfilled to have helped someone. i was riding a jeepney going home one night. the jeepney was nearly full and i was seated just behind the front seat on the right side of the jeepney and there were two passengers seated in front. It was just a normal ride when suddenly the jeep came to a stop. The passenger from the inner side of the of the front seat reached his/her destination. She/he has to get off the jeepney and to do this, his/her seatmate needs to go off the jeepney first. After which, the other passenger went in the jeepney again but i noticed something from her was dropped unintentionally on the roadside. i looked out the jeepney if there really was something and i indeed saw some papers. Thinking that she still needed those, i hurriedly asked the driver to stop. i then told the passenger that she dropped something. She got off the jeepney and immediately recovered the things on the road. Running back, she sincerely thanked me and rode on the jeepney again. i could actually notice a lot of passengers looking at me. i don't know if they are happy for what i've done or just annoyed for delaying their travel. All i know is that for once, i am capable of being brave to do right things for other people. And for that evening, i really felt good.

Of all traits of Jesus, i already have a little of love and wisdom. It is courage that i have very little of. Because i know that it is very useless to know what is right and wrong if you do not have the courage to do it. So i am continually praying to find that courage in Christ, but i also pray for love and wisdom, and let us pray together. Let us always look to Jesus, the perfect model and example for all of us.

Kerygma

PURIFYING FIRE

So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. – John 2:15

My kitchen faucet leaked again and I had to pick up my plumber Alex from his house at the squatters area. To my surprise, what used to be a colony of rusty shanties, muddy corridors and putrid air, was now a pleasant community with widened roads, decent concrete houses and clean surroundings.

Before I even asked, Alex explained, “The city mayor had always wanted to improve the living conditions of the people here. But they wouldn’t allow clearing works that would sweep through their illegal structures. This prevented infrastructure and community development for so long. Then an accidental fire swept though the entire colony, forcibly cleaning the whole area. Suddenly, the government, NGOs and other well-meaning groups had free access to build their gift to the people. Thanks to the raging fire! It drove away all that had been hindering the blessings.”

Friend, are there things — mindset, habits, sins, even relationships — that need to be driven out of your life to give way to the next level blessing? God doesn’t bring the fire, but in His mercy allows it for our good. Jon Escoto (faithatworkjon@gmail.com)

A hole-in-being

I need to write.

Before drawing, I really planned to make a sculpture-like 3D figure, abstract, but would show “me”. But something came into my mind – a hole-in-being. A topic discussed in our philosophy subject (Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl). So I thought about drawing a doughnut – an illustraition of an object with a hole which is likened to human beings having something missing in their being. This hole is described as something that is naturally present in humans and is to be filled as they live on their lives. I don’t know, maybe in searching for meaning, we eventually fill this hole up.

So I was planning to create a replica of myself. Something that is sculpture-like, shows the fullness of a figure, and doesn’t exactly show the hole in it.

And here it is. It actually looked like a teardrop with a hole so evident. I just used pencil marks to give some depth to it.

Then an idea came, more like a realization. Teardrops or any drop of liquid which are irregularly thrown, with holes, deformed or in whatever way, will eventually seek its most stable, founded form, a sphere, perfect with no holes. It attracts molecules of its own, obtaining the least surface area, becoming full before it touches the ground.

To reality!

i'm called to be back to reality! Haha!

Yeah, i've actually been asleep in my comforts and little luxuries these couple of weeks... i'm on our semestral break - no school. i spent the days helping Ma and Pa and my siblings keep the house in order, watching TV shows and movies, doing stuffs on computers, etc.  it was a good way to spend time.. i've actually learned a lot from the movies i've watched - Something Borrowed, Leap Year, The Hunger Games, She's the Man, Anastasia (1997).. But somewhere inside me i know i should be doing more.. i feel like i'm in deep slumber, nothing to offer to the world.

Fortunately, today, i've read a post on our university group challenging an assembly of leaders in the school. WOAH! As in overness!! Haha! it really received lots of comments and criticisms and likes!. if you could see the comments, you could really witness a heated debate going on. Haha! But, more than the fun it brought me, it actually moved me to really be vigilant about the things and issues going on around us.. we might not notice, but they can actually kill us day by day, if that's their motive.. i'm not very good at expression, but let me tell you this, the post moved me enough to wake me up. Of course, with due credits to our commenters. .:)

i'm not so sure though about what i should do.. but, now, i am certain that more than reflections, i should act on something. i understand that it is the Lord's will that should be done, but man also has to do his part.

May God bless us all! :D

~ Thanks, Mr. Karlo David! :)

”Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do.” 
   ~ Helen Keller 

credits: http://o2jottings.blogspot.com/

Jesus

He hungered - but He fed thousands...
He was wearied, but He is the Rest of them that are weary...
He was heavy with sleep, but He walked lightly over the sea...
He prays, but He hears prayers.
He weeps, but he causes tears to cease.
He asks where Lazarus was laid, for He was Man; but He raises Lazarus, for He was God.
He is sold, and very cheap, for it is only thirty pieces of silver; but He redeems the world...
As a sheep He is led to the slaughter, but He is the Shepherd of Israel, and now of the whole world also.
As a Lamb He is silent, yet He is the Word...
He is...wounded, but He healeth every disease...
He dies, but He gives life...

If the one gives you a starting point for your error, let the others put an end to it.

Gregory Nazianzen, c329 - 389/390 AD
(from T.Oden's "The Word of Life", p185)

credits to: http://damaskathoughts.blogspot.com/

T.Hu.G.

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose." ~ Dolly Parton

A picture paints a thousand words. How about a film?

from 

 http://hungergamespics.com/the-hunger-games-mockingjay-brought-to-life/

I. Watched The Hunger Games today. Beautiful. But more than the beauty it brought me, it reminded me of something very valuable - People Power. Most of the Filipinos forget its worth. But you should know that it is not dead. Perhaps it has to be rekindled. But how? 

More than thinking of ways to do it, let's just do it. 

II. The film setting was very unlikely to happen. Given that people nowadays are so into Human rights protection, civil liberties, protection for children, etc., how could people turn to be monster-like in the future? But that's what it does - films intend to capture you into another world and make you believe that it exists. And perhaps that is what Suzanne Collins needs to do to convey her message.

III. When i thought about the impossibility of people turning into monsters. i thought for a while, "how could that be impossible?" Today, you could see people killing other people, brutally, mercilessly. It really is not surprising that someday, more people would do the same. How could this become a reality? Being a human being, i am aware that i have limitations, although i don't know all of them. Being a Christian, i know that people could do things beyond their limitations. How is this? - through the help of the Holy Spirit! In relation to people doing things humans are not supposed to do, one party to blame here are the evil forces. You see, it really is up to us to submit to anything. We could submit to these "evil forces" and start being really bad. Or we could submit ourselves to the power of God and start doing things that would give people a glimpse of heaven. It really is up to us. 

As for the world. A lot of people end up being slaves of evil while some are fools for God, but there are also people who chose nothing. For all these people, let us pray for them. For those slaves of evil, may they be free, truly free and heed the call of goodness inherent in their being. For the fools for God, may they continue to be steadfast in their faith and touch more people with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For those who chose nothing, may they become the best person they could be by choosing the common good. May we all do something to make this world more beautiful. A lot of work is needed to be done. i may die before getting there, but it is the journey that matters.

IV. i sparked with hope when president Snow said, "Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear." And indeed it is. We just have to hope, and do something.. as in do something. 

Help us, Lord.

**written and typed on different days

No Mercy!!

Just want to share my realization regarding the beloved children on the streets..

Sometimes i see them lying down, sleeping on those dirty pavements..
Sometimes i see them coming to me, approaching other more people..
Sometimes i see them running along and across  roads ..
Somehow, i pity them for what they are, and for what they cannot do while, and especially while they are still young..
i pity them for the limitations that have caused boundaries in their lives.

Yet for some days ago, i was able to understand that i am not supposed to pity them!
i am not supposed to look down on them and show them mercy, give them money..
They do not need mercy..
What they need is justice!
Children have the right to shelter, the right to food and proper nutrition, the right to education, the right to recreation, and not just playing down the streets..

Children, we should not forget, are human beings.. what could my mercy do for them?
i should, instead, treat them as brave young people.. knowing that like me, they have abilities, they have dreams, they have hopes and ambitions..

These children don't just need food for everyday survival, they need love and care and education...
they need to know that they have dreams they need to realize
they have to know that their future is bigger than what they seem to have now..
they have to understand their abilities and know their purpose and become fully alive..

Again, they need love... and what they need are people who could understand what is deeper than what most of us see..

So i begin my day, praying for justice and trying to be the justice that they need.

So, please, help me, Father.

Kerygma Bible Reflections

WHY WE DON’T HAVE TO BE SCARED

For I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the Lord. – Jeremiah 15:20

       When Francis was only four years old, we watched Jurassic Park I. I was worried about the scary parts of the movie. Especially when a ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex bites the bald lawyer sitting on the potty. How morbid. So right before the T. Rex chomped half of the lawyer’s body, I covered my son’s eyes. He protested, “I want to see that, Daddy. It’s the fun part.”
       After the movie, I asked him, “Weren’t you scared?” He said, “I watched the movie before. I know the ending.”
       He knows the ending that’s why he wasn’t scared.
       Friend, are you worried about your problems? Are you anxious over what will happen tomorrow? Listen. God knows the last chapter of your life. And from what I hear, it’s very good. Glorious even. You have a happy ending.
       You may be going through tough times now but fear not. Believe that you’ll be stronger. Your faith will be purer. Your heart will be bigger. And you’ll be more blessed than ever.
       Because the best is yet to come.

              ~Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com)

just like in the old eras

i like it! :) it looks so simple yet elegant and sophisticated! Haha!

live to love. feel loved everyday. give love everyday.

"some say, love, it is a
hunger - an endless 
aching need..
i say, love, it is a flower,
and you,
it's only seed.."

                      ~ the Rose
      sung by Bette Midler

late at night, while i was riding a jeepney, going home, i was seated across two old people, one boy, the other girl. i looked at them and thought what business they could have attended to. they did not look like they went home from work because they weren't wearing working clothes and they were quite old to work. i did not push the analysis further and my mind wandered someplace. minutes passed and they finally reached their destination. the man went out of the jeepney first, very slowly. he was having a really hard time going out. with his frail body, he bent halfway down just to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling while going out. the lady also bent down and slowly went out of the jeepney behind the man. everybody were looking at them, like eying down their every move.. :) the man finally got out. and i got what i hoped for.. ;) i looked at him as he stepped on the road, waiting and watching.. you see, after going out, he did not move to the road side, instead, in spite of his very fragile body, he waited by the back of the jeepney and received the hand of the lady, carefully assisting her as she climbed down the little jeepney stairs. :D

witnessing what i witnessed allowed me to really appreciate the presence of love, whether you are young or old, it exists. and i thank the couple for reminding me that.. :)) 

live to love. feel loved everyday. give love everyday.

Pictures: Trees Cocooned in Webs After Flood

Pictures: Trees Cocooned in Webs After Flood

i hope You understand that there are so many people around me who are very difficult to love. Yet You always remind me that i should love my neighbors as i love myself. That is why i am asking for the strength, the courage, and the desire from You to love them. With Your love, may i be able to walk another mile in service for others.

i am currently doing some research for my chemical process industries report. But as always, something is bothering me. i just need to talk to somebody who can understand me without limits. so i turned to You. Use me, guide me, all for You alone.

i promise to You, this year, i won't be settling for mediocrity in everything that i do. i love You, and that's because You loved me first.

♥

"i will not offer to the Lord, my God, sacrifices that have cost me nothing." ~2 Samuel 24:24 (TEV)

sometimes, i don't understand what the Lord is telling me to do...

Ten Basic Environmental Rules

1. Prioritize environmental preservation

   We shall comply with all laws, regulations, and agreements in all of our business activities. Taking into consideration biodiversity, we shall place the highest priority on environmental preservation in the manufacture, handling, use, sale, transport, and waste disposal of products.

2. Prevent global warming

   We shall promote energy conservation and work to reduce our unit energy consumption and our carbon dioxide emissions.

3. Achieve zero emissions of environmental pollutants

   We shall strive continuously to reduce our emissions with the ultimate goal of achieving zero emissions of hazardous chemical substances and waste materials into the environment.

4. Use safer chemical substances

   We shall collect, maintain, and provide information on the health and environmental effects of the chemical substances we handle while striving to use safer chemical substances.

5. Promoting Recycling

   We shall develop recycling technologies for products, containers, and packaging and cooperate with society in promoting the recovery and reuse of such items.

6. Improve the level of environmental management

   We shall work to maintain and improve the level of our environmental management while working to upgrade our environmental management technology and skills, performing self auditing, and taking other measures.

7. Contribute to society through environmental improvement technologies and products

   We shall meet the challenge of developing new technologies and shall contribute to society through environmental improvement technologies as well as products that place a low burden on the environment.

8. Improve the environmental management of our overseas businesses

   In our overseas business activities, we shall place top priority on complying with local laws and regulations, and further, we shall manage those businesses in accordance with the management standards of Toray Group.

9. Improve employees' environmental awareness

   We shall strive to improve our employees' awareness of environmental issues through environmental education, social activities, internal communications activities, and other means.

10. Share environmental information with society

   We shall deepen mutual understanding of Toray Group environmental policies and practices by widely publicizing our environmental preservation efforts and their results in environmental reports and other publications directed at local communities, investors, and the media.

source: 'Toray' Innovation by Chemistry

credits to my brother, Karlo.. had he not done his assignment, i wouldn't have read this.. ;)

Solving an infinite surd..

If an infinite surd is like (√(6+√(6+√(6+√(6...),to solve it, follow these steps: 

Set x = √(6+√(6+√(6+√(6... 

therefore x2 = 6+√(6+√(6+√(6+√(6... 

therefore x2 = 6+x 

therefore 6+x-x2 = 0.
source: How do you solve an infinite surd?

"Jim, will you find the remote control for me?", his mother had called for the seventh  time
He, obviously annoyed, answered back, "of all your 11 children, why is it me you're always calling?"
"That's because I love you, dear."
"Yeah, loving me involves lots of errands, huh?"
"Of course! Of all my children,  it's only your name that I remember."

credits to my father

Throwing our garbage everywhere destroys the essence of the trash can's existence. And you'll ask me, "So what?"...

we'll be making a new definition for a trash can - the Earth.