boy, time does fly!

i remember writing this two days after i rose my hand during the altar call a little over a year ago. what can i say. funny how things turn out differently a year later. :) and i'm sure, the years after.

 ==

"hard work" // oct 17 2006 10:00 am

admittedly, being a baby Christian is hard work.

Jesus always stressed the importance of loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself.

in my case, however... *sigh*.

last sunday the topic was on walking with God, and there were three ways in order for anyone to do this: first was obedience, second was agreement, and third was intimacy. enoch was the benchmark for walking with God. we don't know absolutely anything about him: all we know is that he lived for 365 years and didn't die. God just took him away, because he simply walked with God.

it was also stressed that God wasn't looking for diplomas or vital statistics or whatever--God just wants us to obey, agree, and be intimate with him. THAT simple.

admittedly i have a penchant for complicating things. i think and overthink, analyze and overanalyze. i find it difficult to accept simple truth. i'm not content with just what what is presented to me: it has to be proven down to the very last fiber. that belief is quite contradictory to the Christian faith, because that very word--faith--is the beginning and end of all things.

along with that is my (almost) natural tendency to criticize. my good friend karl characterized me as a nitpicker. admittedly, i do find pleasure in finding fault in things--especially other people. i tend to judge quickly. i mean, i claim to be a Christian yet I have like ten million sins a day. i'm turning into something i don't want to be: a hypocrite. then again that's when the simplicity of wanting to walk with God comes in. Lord, i don't want to be like that anymore. i don't want to judge and okray and just be freaking mean anymore.

heehee

moar funny pictures

bagong buhay: nacu-cute-an ako sa aso

wikang pilipino muna.

naglalakad ako kahapon sa labas ng shangri-la mall. nakita ko yung K9 doggy. long-haired golden retriever. nakasuot ng santa hat, red na damit, tsaka red na wrist cuffs.

under normal circumstances, takot ako sa aso. as in takot. tipong maiilang ako lumapit. eh sobrang cute niya talaga. eh di lumapit ako.

ayon sa pinsan kong marami ang alagang hayop, ang mga K9 dogs raw ay trained na hindi magreact sa pagpet. tatlo lang raw ang normal na reaction ng aso kapag may nag-pet sa kanila: 1.) mag-growl; 2.) magwag ng buntot; 3.) mangagat.

nung nilapitan ko siya, wala akong takot na naramdaman (paano ka matatakot sa ganun ka-cute na aso?!). nagpaalam ako sa trainer niya kung pwede ko siyang hawakan.

pinet ko siya.

nag wag yung tail niya!


sana nagtake ako ng picture.

from 500 to 400

earlier this month i had my eyesight checked. i wanted to buy contact lenses for "wala lang's" sake, and i was coordinating with a friend's friend, who was an optometrist. we had not set a time and date to meet up, but God really has a way of putting things in order that far outplans our own plans.

the Optometrist and i had a chance encounter--putting it simply, i was in the right place at the right time. after a short wait filled with laughs, it was my turn to read the eye chart. sans glasses. the 475-grado left eye and 500-grado + 200-something astigmatism right eye could hardly decipher the eye chart sitting what seemed to be in front of me (admittedly, i have it memorized... i've been reading the thing for ten years!).

so alvin the optometrist had me wear spectacles and was inserting different lenses innit. i was reading the eye chart. the E, F P, LTOZ and such (see, i told you i have it memorized!). kidding aside, after putting on a bunch of lenses, alvin made me read the bottom part of the chart. and then...

"bumaba na yung grado mo."

i could not control the cry of joy that bubbled from my lips.

it was amazing, considering that i:

• constantly lacked sleep because of my schedule
• averaged 40+ hours a week in front of a computer because of work
• read while lying down--the main cause of my "blindness."

by human standards it seemed impossible for all of this to happen. but hey, didn't Jesus say that "with God, nothing is impossible?"

another thing. i had my eyes checked in april and already bumaba na yung grado ko nun from last year. after eight months naging 400 na lang yung grado ng pareho kong mata. isn't God simply amazing?!

i am reminded of Bartimaeus's story in Mark's book. Jesus and the disciples were getting out of the city when Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by. he called for Jesus. Mark writes:

Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."

"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

of course, bartimaeus's reaction is but natural:

The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. (Matthew 15:31)


20-20 vision, here i come!

sigh..
thank you Lord! :)

what's in a name (part 2)

Karess

You have leadership ability and with your power of expression can be an influential speaker. Organisation or management would suit you. Your energy, intellect and creativity overcome any challenging situations and assure your future success. Certainly with your emotions under control there is nothing which you cannot achieve. Your faith and vitality means that love and prosperity are naturally attracted to you.

Rubrico

You are an inspirational individual and seem to lead a charmed existence. Material success is no more than your versatility, optimism and courage deserve. You are creative and resourceful and can develop your ideas into tangible form which brings you great satisfaction. You attract friends, love and happiness in abundance because of your warm and enthusiastic nature. Life is much better with you around.

Karess Rubrico

Confident in yourself with a strong mind and creative flair you have the ability to apply your ideas to practical purposes. Your wisdom and balance means that others seek you out for counsel and guidance. You set high objectives for yourself based on your idealism and then achieve them with boundless energy and determination. You are loved for your understanding and positive attitude to life.

wow. inspirating ito! click here to get it as well

this cracked me up

moar funny pictures

what i am right now :)

i am:

1. learning to adjust in a new environment (and they usually say the learning part is hard, but quite frankly, i'm finding it fun).

2. expectant. every day.

3. excited for Christmas (yes, this early)...not to mention, the new year.


ikaw, what's up with you?