December 11, 2009

In the heat of the day one sunny day,
Hearts once heavy start growing wary.
Dews gone, moist sipped by the sand.
For a thirst has come upon the land.

Now behold, a bowl of rare drink.
To taste it, no one dares to think.
Strong even for the elders and rulers.
But drink they must for it's been cast.

While there are those who sieve not,
Many drinkers strain out the gnats.
Oh, how their reasoning go so well,
With it they'd swallow a whole camel.

They all say it's the law they uphold.
In adherence they must defend it bold.
But what they don't yet know and see
Is how things could turn out to be.

One day they all will understand and see
Why the Lord has allowed this thing to be.
Their conviction and reasoning He will use,
That what He shall do, they'll find no excuse.

With the conviction they showed for their law,
Likewise shall the Lord show them for His law.
With the reasoning they supported their stand,
More so shall the Lord's justice firmly stand.

How can one withstand for long a glaring sun?
If on a cloudy afternoon will fall a drizzle,
Care to look for a rainbow even just a little?
There will be rainbow, but only if the sun shows.

December 04, 2009

On one night appeared a reddish moon.
Everybody was busy going their own ways.
Fairly the wind puffed a gentle breeze.
No one bothered, no one understood.

Then dark cloud covered the sun one noonday.
Hearts froze, eyes glared, teeth gnashed.
For a cold south wind swiftly rushed.
Everyone's bothered, no one's undisturbed.

And now the sun's rays start breaking through.
Will hearts unfreeze and turn from the old ways?
Soft wind may once again blow to let people know.
But will anyone bother? Will anyone dare to understand?

But however dark and gloomy the clouds may be,
Yet there behind, the sun is shining ever.
Look up, don't you realize it's almost noonday?!
Understand; for if you bother, things will be better.

Therefore, dare arise according to these days.
For behind the cloud that blocked your sight,
Is the emerging sun with its brilliant light.
Anyone willing to bother? Anyone care to understand?

Where's Your Faith?

Luke 8:22-25

Now it happened on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, “Let's go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water. They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid they marveled, saying one to another, “Who is this, then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”

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How long have you known the Lord? Yet why now do you rely upon the capacity of the winds to scatter? Have the Lord withheld good things from you that now you have learned to trust the ability of water to gather and keep?

Be A Tree By The Water

Blessed is the man...

Who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
But his delight is in the Lord's law;
On his law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree
Planted by the streams of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also does not wither.
Whatever he does shall prosper.

~ Psalms 1:1-3 ~

At Midnight On Yom Kippur

It is 12:15AM local time when I write this note.

Minutes ago, as the clock was about to hit midnight, my attention was drawn to the view outside my window. The moon slowly crept from the leaves of the trees that were shaken yesterday by the strong wind of a tropical storm. It came into view as it gently descended towards the western horizon.

The unusual color of the moon caught my attention. This midnight it appeared reddish.

What Can Be Shaken Shall Be Shaken

.

One thing good about typhoons and floods is that they cleanse the environment of man-made pollutions.

Earth's cleansing mechanism is no respecter of men. It even sacrifices considerable portion of itself just in order to survive. What it can shake it shakes violently to get rid of any threat to its existence.

The earth existed ages long before humans existed. With its age, it is a tough survivor. It is a very generous sustainer of life when treated with proper care, but at times it can be a merciless self-healing survivor when abused.

* * * * * * *
Thus says the Lord, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will you build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? For all these things has my hand made, and so all these things came to be, says the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66:1-2)

This is what the Lord of Armies says: "Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations. The precious things of all nations will come, and I will fill My house with glory." (Haggai 2:6)

* * * * * * *
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed in us. For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:18-23)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we won't be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; though the waters of it roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. (Psalms 46:1-3)

Brethren, dwell together in unity.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalms 133:1)

Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant." (Matthew 20:25-27)

But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11-12)

Jesus asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?” But they were silent, for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest. He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” (Mark 9:33-35)

Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us... (Romans 12:2-6)

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. (Romans 12:10)

Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:5-7)

If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, let joy be full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. (Philippians 2:1-4)

Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15)

Be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For, he who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:8-12)

Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another. (Galatians 5:24-26)

Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. Don't fear what others fear, neither be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear: having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good manner of life in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:13-17)

Therefore... walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)