“1, 2, 3, push! Push harder! 1, 2, 3, push! Push harder! There it is, there it is…”
Aaaagh! If you would ask me what are the things I’m scared of, being in a situation where I will hear those words would definitely land on my list! Giving birth!
All of a sudden, the room becomes so full of life because literally, a new life was born. But can anyone feel how much pain the mother of the child went through before you even hear the baby’s first cry? We all know that when a mother gives birth, there is no assurance that she will survive. It is unimaginably, undeniably, no-other-words-to-describe, scary! I don’t even want to imagine how a mother can give birth for fourteen times! Ouch!
I really admire my mom for having only two beautiful children. She told me that she only had a hard time giving birth to the first one, my elder brother. As for me, one push and I’m out in the wild! I guess the scary and challenging part of being a mom does not end when she finally sends her child to the world. It’s just the beginning.
I grew up with my mom longer than my brother growing up with her. He was with our grandmother during the time that our mother had to study while taking care of me. She was taking up Pharmacy that time. One hand holding her book and the other hand pushing my duyan for me to sleep. Can you imagine, students today put up a lame excuse of not being able to focus on their studies because of such and such, but my mom was a very multi-tasking woman, being a mother, wife and student all at the same time!
After graduating from college, it was time for her to work. I remember how hard it was every time she leaves home to go to work. It’s either I was left to our neighbor’s care or I will pamper myself with the eye shadows, blushers and lipsticks my mom had in the closet. I used to break her lipsticks. After entertaining myself while waiting, I can hardly wait for her return. I get really excited when she finally comes. “Ma, pasalubong!” Don’t tell me you didn’t do that when you were still a kid! Of course, aside from the fact that mommy is finally within your reach, a pasalubong is also up for grabs!
As I was growing up as a toddler, I can still remember that I was very insistent of always going out with my mom. Wherever she goes, I had to go! May I repeat it, I had to go! I had to go! You could imagine how persuasive I was as a child. So, if you see me now as knowing more than what my age should know, blame that on the days and nights when I was with my mom, listening to grown-ups talking about everyday life. Ask me mature issues even though I was very young and I definitely knew, if not all, something – at least that’s what I think.
When the time came that my mom had to go abroad with my dad, I didn’t think during that moment that it will be of my advantage. I was thirteen years old that time. I was very sure that I was losing a part of me. No number of long distance calls or even amount of dollars could replace what I lost. I found myself lying on my bed and crying out “Mama, mama,” every time I got sick and Mama won’t be around to take care of me. I had to take care of myself. My mom was brave enough to sacrifice herself to give us a good future. I must carry on that strength she had.
Since then, I lived everyday of my life with the courage I learned from my mom. I finished my studies with honors and made my parents very proud. If my mom was not strong enough to endure being away from us, I would not be writing for you right now.
This fourth issue’s title “More than Rubies” was taken from Proverbs 31:10: “A wife of a noble character who can find? She is worth more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10-31 not only talks about being a wife, but also being a mother. “Her children arise and calls her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. (verse 28)” Oh how we love our moms! This issue is especially dedicated to all mothers who have proven to be the Superwomen of this society! Read the next pages describing how incredible mothers are.
Aside from the regular columns, we’ve set aside a special column for our beloved moms. Not only will you find a mother’s touch in one page, but from cover to cover you’ll surely miss your moms and call them to say ‘Thank you’ or ‘I love you”. Say it while you have a chance!
So to all the moms out there, accept our dearest token of appreciation for all your hardwork and for serving as an inspiration to every individual. Indeed, “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. (verse 29)”
Happy Mothers’ Day! We love you! God bless.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Enigma
I was jumping on my feet when you were happy.
My tears were falling as you cried.
I raised my hands to the heavens when you were worshiping.
I kneeled when you were praying.
My lips were sealed when you chose to keep everything to yourself.
My mind was boggling when you were confused.
I openly spoke when you knew you were on the right side.
And when you got to your most depressing moment, my heart cried with you.
Yes. Whatever you’ve been or going through, I’ve had my share. The irony is, as everyone is created by God uniquely, everyone goes through the same experiences, only in a different way, in a different time, in a different pattern.
My search did not end when I surrendered my life to the Lord. In fact, I found myself searching and digging deeper when I met the all-knowing God. The “when’s”, “why’s”, etc., did not seize coming from my lips. I’ve been very vocal to the Lord about everything I feel. Even though I know that He already knows, I still ask. Just at this very moment I’m writing this article and I’m sure till the very moment you’re reading this, I still have questions.
A woman of God lost her baby.
A family serving the Lord was left by its mother.
A faithful tither lost her money.
A servant of the Lord got fired by the company.
A new believer died of sickness.
The list goes on. Why does the loving God allow these things to happen?
God is a very infinite God. Even the mind of the most intelligent man in this world cannot be compared to the mind of God. The kind of knowledge that we have now cannot comprehend everything that God is doing to our lives. But we do not stop there. God does not leave us hanging with nothing to hold on to.
“And we know that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
This is a promise from the Lord. ALL things. Not only the good things, not only the sad moments – ALL things. Do we know why? Specifically, no; but generally, as what He promised, all things that God allows to happen is for the good of those who love God. This is what we could hold on to His promise and the one who promised is FAITHFUL.
A faithful God is an enough answer to the “why’s” and other questions you can think of. Every time you are faced with a seemingly bad situation, remember, “No harms befall the righteous…” (Proverbs 12:21a). You were not created to lose the fight. You were created to run, to endure, to finish the race and to become an overcomer.
We know that the baby of the woman of God is now with the Lord.
The mother of the family serving the Lord is now free from pain.
The faithful tither will receive bountiful blessings, more that what
she lost, in due time.
The servant of the Lord will one day succeed in his career out
of his obedience to the Lord.
The new believer is now feeling the embrace of God.
And more than what ears could hear, more than what the eyes could see and more that what the mind could understand, God is already doing something extravagant to those people who continue to endure and to hold on to His promises.
In my ten years walk with the Lord, He allowed me to go through circumstances that I thought I could never overcome, but eventually, I did. Still here. Still hanging. Holding on to His promises. Every piece of the puzzle I have in my hands I hold firmly. All of them are part of my life’s enigma. Everything I experienced and will soon go through has reasons that complete my calling.
The things we possess, as well as the things we don’t own, fit the puzzle. Every trials, joys and pains that we experience are pieces of the puzzle. Once the puzzle I complete, it’s time for God to unveil the picture of our lives. It’s time to be where He is, by His side.
This year 2007, may we continue to become overcomers for the Lord. Hold on to His promises. His will over ours. His heart beat, our heart beat. A work of art is waiting to be unveiled once the puzzle is finished. There’s so much more to see.
“I have heard You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.”
(Job 42:5)
My tears were falling as you cried.
I raised my hands to the heavens when you were worshiping.
I kneeled when you were praying.
My lips were sealed when you chose to keep everything to yourself.
My mind was boggling when you were confused.
I openly spoke when you knew you were on the right side.
And when you got to your most depressing moment, my heart cried with you.
Yes. Whatever you’ve been or going through, I’ve had my share. The irony is, as everyone is created by God uniquely, everyone goes through the same experiences, only in a different way, in a different time, in a different pattern.
My search did not end when I surrendered my life to the Lord. In fact, I found myself searching and digging deeper when I met the all-knowing God. The “when’s”, “why’s”, etc., did not seize coming from my lips. I’ve been very vocal to the Lord about everything I feel. Even though I know that He already knows, I still ask. Just at this very moment I’m writing this article and I’m sure till the very moment you’re reading this, I still have questions.
A woman of God lost her baby.
A family serving the Lord was left by its mother.
A faithful tither lost her money.
A servant of the Lord got fired by the company.
A new believer died of sickness.
The list goes on. Why does the loving God allow these things to happen?
God is a very infinite God. Even the mind of the most intelligent man in this world cannot be compared to the mind of God. The kind of knowledge that we have now cannot comprehend everything that God is doing to our lives. But we do not stop there. God does not leave us hanging with nothing to hold on to.
“And we know that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
This is a promise from the Lord. ALL things. Not only the good things, not only the sad moments – ALL things. Do we know why? Specifically, no; but generally, as what He promised, all things that God allows to happen is for the good of those who love God. This is what we could hold on to His promise and the one who promised is FAITHFUL.
A faithful God is an enough answer to the “why’s” and other questions you can think of. Every time you are faced with a seemingly bad situation, remember, “No harms befall the righteous…” (Proverbs 12:21a). You were not created to lose the fight. You were created to run, to endure, to finish the race and to become an overcomer.
We know that the baby of the woman of God is now with the Lord.
The mother of the family serving the Lord is now free from pain.
The faithful tither will receive bountiful blessings, more that what
she lost, in due time.
The servant of the Lord will one day succeed in his career out
of his obedience to the Lord.
The new believer is now feeling the embrace of God.
And more than what ears could hear, more than what the eyes could see and more that what the mind could understand, God is already doing something extravagant to those people who continue to endure and to hold on to His promises.
In my ten years walk with the Lord, He allowed me to go through circumstances that I thought I could never overcome, but eventually, I did. Still here. Still hanging. Holding on to His promises. Every piece of the puzzle I have in my hands I hold firmly. All of them are part of my life’s enigma. Everything I experienced and will soon go through has reasons that complete my calling.
The things we possess, as well as the things we don’t own, fit the puzzle. Every trials, joys and pains that we experience are pieces of the puzzle. Once the puzzle I complete, it’s time for God to unveil the picture of our lives. It’s time to be where He is, by His side.
This year 2007, may we continue to become overcomers for the Lord. Hold on to His promises. His will over ours. His heart beat, our heart beat. A work of art is waiting to be unveiled once the puzzle is finished. There’s so much more to see.
“I have heard You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.”
(Job 42:5)
Footsteps
From my younger years until now, I always had someone in my mind that I want to be like. I’m sure most of us have the same experience. Let me share with you some of my “wanna be’s”.
When I was in kindergarten, I really wanted to be a doctor. It’s what I always hear from my favorite part of Eat Bulaga, the Little Miss Philippines. “Paglaki ko, gusto kong maging doctor, para magamot ko ang lahat ng may sakit sa buooooooooong mundo! Bow!”
When I was in elementary, I wanted to be “Fei” from Okay ka Fairy ko. She was the mother of Aiza, the wife of Enteng Kabisote and the daughter of Ina Magenta. I used to mimic her hand gestures when she wants to go to another place or when she creates magic. Magic! Super power! How I wished I have magic and super power! Go to places, have a Barbie house, anything I want in just a sec!
When I was in high school, got more serious, I dreamed of becoming like Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Jose Javier Reyes, James Cameron, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. They are all film directors. I had a passion in creating films and that was the time when I decided to take up film making or any course related to it like Communication Arts.
When I was in college, I got hooked into writing and discovered that I cannot live without it. So I wanted to follow the footsteps of great writers from my college writing professors to the famous novel writers like F. Sionil Jose, Paulo Coelho and Nicholas Sparks. Even though I experienced a lot of criticisms about the way I write from some professors, I did not stop writing. I almost did, but there are still people like my professors/mentors who believe in me, plus the big factor – I believe God wants to use my talent in writing for His glory.
When I joined the music ministry in our church, I started to admire Darlene Zschech of Hillsong Music Australia (I was a Hillsong baby!). She’s not just a great worship leader, but also a great writer of songs and articles. I grew in the kind of music she led. I love her songs. I love her teachings about worship.
Today, I know that…
…I cannot be a doctor because I’m scared of blood;
…I cannot be Fei because she’s not real;
…I cannot be a film director anymore because I did not major in film making and I am not planning to take up one in the future;
…I can still be a great writer by writing for God’s glory, but not the way the people I mentioned write;
…I cannot be Darlene Zscech because Darlene is Darlene, with a different name and a different calling from the Lord. God called me by name and I have my own calling from Him, too. But…
…I can be a follower of someone, who is a perfect model for people of all ages. As a matter of fact, I can be like Him. I can be like Jesus.
“God created man according to His image and likeness.” (Genesis 1:27). ‘Yes! We can be a god like Jesus!’ Oopss! Wrong! Just to remind you or for your information, the fallen angel, Lucifer (who we now call as Satan), wanted to be god and not LIKE God. So how do we become like Him? Follow his footsteps.
When Jesus became a man, His top priority was to do the will of the Father. Don’t ask me about God’s will for His will can only be found in His Words – the Bible. Everything we do falls under a choice between doing our own will or God’s will. If we decide to sin or break what God says in His Words, we choose our own will. If we decide to follow what is in the Bible, we absolutely choose God’s will.
Following God’s will does not assure us that our journey with Him is gonna be a walk in the park or as easy as 1, 2, 3. In fact, like what happened to Jesus, attached in doing God’s will are persecution and suffering. Oh my! So who will follow Him if that’s the case? Those people who accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. The acceptance is a package deal filled with renewed strength everyday, a joy which does not depend on any circumstance, peace in times of trouble, grace and mercy in times of your shortcomings, the Lord’s goodness which follows you all the days of your life and God’s love which is everlasting and surpasses everything – from times of disappointments to times of rejoicing. Let us not also forget, the prize for those who will endure and finish the race – eternal life with the Lord.
We cannot be like Jesus in one sec. Not even Fei can do that. No one can. It’s a work in progress. God is not yet finish with us. Like a potter, He continues to mold us, break us if needed and redo us just to give us the perfect finish. Like a clay, we should just be cooperative with what our Potter is doing because He knows what’s best for us. If we follow Him step by step, one day, we can be like Jesus. Same mind. Same heart. Just desire to be like Him and He will teach you how.
Let us all follow His footsteps and be like Jesus!
When I was in kindergarten, I really wanted to be a doctor. It’s what I always hear from my favorite part of Eat Bulaga, the Little Miss Philippines. “Paglaki ko, gusto kong maging doctor, para magamot ko ang lahat ng may sakit sa buooooooooong mundo! Bow!”
When I was in elementary, I wanted to be “Fei” from Okay ka Fairy ko. She was the mother of Aiza, the wife of Enteng Kabisote and the daughter of Ina Magenta. I used to mimic her hand gestures when she wants to go to another place or when she creates magic. Magic! Super power! How I wished I have magic and super power! Go to places, have a Barbie house, anything I want in just a sec!
When I was in high school, got more serious, I dreamed of becoming like Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Jose Javier Reyes, James Cameron, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. They are all film directors. I had a passion in creating films and that was the time when I decided to take up film making or any course related to it like Communication Arts.
When I was in college, I got hooked into writing and discovered that I cannot live without it. So I wanted to follow the footsteps of great writers from my college writing professors to the famous novel writers like F. Sionil Jose, Paulo Coelho and Nicholas Sparks. Even though I experienced a lot of criticisms about the way I write from some professors, I did not stop writing. I almost did, but there are still people like my professors/mentors who believe in me, plus the big factor – I believe God wants to use my talent in writing for His glory.
When I joined the music ministry in our church, I started to admire Darlene Zschech of Hillsong Music Australia (I was a Hillsong baby!). She’s not just a great worship leader, but also a great writer of songs and articles. I grew in the kind of music she led. I love her songs. I love her teachings about worship.
Today, I know that…
…I cannot be a doctor because I’m scared of blood;
…I cannot be Fei because she’s not real;
…I cannot be a film director anymore because I did not major in film making and I am not planning to take up one in the future;
…I can still be a great writer by writing for God’s glory, but not the way the people I mentioned write;
…I cannot be Darlene Zscech because Darlene is Darlene, with a different name and a different calling from the Lord. God called me by name and I have my own calling from Him, too. But…
…I can be a follower of someone, who is a perfect model for people of all ages. As a matter of fact, I can be like Him. I can be like Jesus.
“God created man according to His image and likeness.” (Genesis 1:27). ‘Yes! We can be a god like Jesus!’ Oopss! Wrong! Just to remind you or for your information, the fallen angel, Lucifer (who we now call as Satan), wanted to be god and not LIKE God. So how do we become like Him? Follow his footsteps.
When Jesus became a man, His top priority was to do the will of the Father. Don’t ask me about God’s will for His will can only be found in His Words – the Bible. Everything we do falls under a choice between doing our own will or God’s will. If we decide to sin or break what God says in His Words, we choose our own will. If we decide to follow what is in the Bible, we absolutely choose God’s will.
Following God’s will does not assure us that our journey with Him is gonna be a walk in the park or as easy as 1, 2, 3. In fact, like what happened to Jesus, attached in doing God’s will are persecution and suffering. Oh my! So who will follow Him if that’s the case? Those people who accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. The acceptance is a package deal filled with renewed strength everyday, a joy which does not depend on any circumstance, peace in times of trouble, grace and mercy in times of your shortcomings, the Lord’s goodness which follows you all the days of your life and God’s love which is everlasting and surpasses everything – from times of disappointments to times of rejoicing. Let us not also forget, the prize for those who will endure and finish the race – eternal life with the Lord.
We cannot be like Jesus in one sec. Not even Fei can do that. No one can. It’s a work in progress. God is not yet finish with us. Like a potter, He continues to mold us, break us if needed and redo us just to give us the perfect finish. Like a clay, we should just be cooperative with what our Potter is doing because He knows what’s best for us. If we follow Him step by step, one day, we can be like Jesus. Same mind. Same heart. Just desire to be like Him and He will teach you how.
Let us all follow His footsteps and be like Jesus!
Behind the Camera
Have you ever had a glimpse on what happens behind the scenes of your favorite television shows or movies? Have you ever experienced what's happening at the backstage of any production? Did you ever hear a story about what happens before a commercial is made?
Most of us are more interested on what we see in front of the camera. Of course, it's the aesthetic pleasure that we seek. We get entertained by seeing our favourite actors do their stuffs or with the way the commercial scenes playback on our minds all day. Who wouldn't be? Where would the famous line "To see is to believe" come from if it's not universal for the human eye to focus on what it sees in front of it? But today, let me invite you to see what's happening behind the camera.
Behind what you see in front of your screens is a production staff composed of people working out on how every scene will look good or how to air/present it to the audience. Even before the first scene you've watched in your favorite teleserye, a group of writers spent a long period of time brainstorming about the story line. A set of production people prepared the fantaserye set that you adore, the costumes of the actors that you're longing to wear, the theme songs that you hear as the cast is being introduced or the credits being rolled and even the make-up of the actors and actresses for you to continue to envy them. There is a director or set of directors who spent sleepless nights just to make the movie/TV material work as effective as it can be for the viewers to love it. Lots of efforts from a bunch of people were exerted for you to enjoy what you see now in the theatres or your television sets. But who takes the attention and credits most of the time? Those who are on the spotlight.
In fact, there is more action and story behind the camera than what you see in front of you. In reality, there is a deeper wisdom and purpose than the circumstances you see or you are in today. Difficult relationship with your boss, you got engaged, a friend broke his promise, your daughter got a perfect score in her exams, you were giggling and laughing yesterday, then all of a sudden, a bad news drew the laughter away. These are what happen on the spotlight, what's behind the camera?
Behind the camera is a circle of people who stayed with you from the moment they met you. Amidst the troubles and fun you're going through, you don't see them in the picture. These people love you, pray for you, remain loyal to you and will always be there for you. Before you got your first paycheck or lost your first job, a story line was written. Before you were conceived, the best filmmaker perceived that your story is a perfect material, wonderfully made. We don't notice it because we're busy looking at the things in front of us – our joys and pains.
We focus on what we see. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). Those who have faith focus not on what they see but on what's beyond the eye can see. Behind the camera are purpose, hope and the giver of hope: God – the Maker. If these are behind the camera, what more can you ask for? There is an assurance that whatever is happening as perceived by the naked eye, someone is working at the backstage making sure that your story will top the ratings, that you will come out victorious. Purpose, hope and God Himself – more than enough to keep us going.
Voice Infinity is committed to be used for God's glory to speak of His goodness from now till eternity. It is our prayer that this blog will reach not only your computers, but also those who are looking for a purpose, losing their hope and in need of the Maker – God.
Most of us are more interested on what we see in front of the camera. Of course, it's the aesthetic pleasure that we seek. We get entertained by seeing our favourite actors do their stuffs or with the way the commercial scenes playback on our minds all day. Who wouldn't be? Where would the famous line "To see is to believe" come from if it's not universal for the human eye to focus on what it sees in front of it? But today, let me invite you to see what's happening behind the camera.
Behind what you see in front of your screens is a production staff composed of people working out on how every scene will look good or how to air/present it to the audience. Even before the first scene you've watched in your favorite teleserye, a group of writers spent a long period of time brainstorming about the story line. A set of production people prepared the fantaserye set that you adore, the costumes of the actors that you're longing to wear, the theme songs that you hear as the cast is being introduced or the credits being rolled and even the make-up of the actors and actresses for you to continue to envy them. There is a director or set of directors who spent sleepless nights just to make the movie/TV material work as effective as it can be for the viewers to love it. Lots of efforts from a bunch of people were exerted for you to enjoy what you see now in the theatres or your television sets. But who takes the attention and credits most of the time? Those who are on the spotlight.
In fact, there is more action and story behind the camera than what you see in front of you. In reality, there is a deeper wisdom and purpose than the circumstances you see or you are in today. Difficult relationship with your boss, you got engaged, a friend broke his promise, your daughter got a perfect score in her exams, you were giggling and laughing yesterday, then all of a sudden, a bad news drew the laughter away. These are what happen on the spotlight, what's behind the camera?
Behind the camera is a circle of people who stayed with you from the moment they met you. Amidst the troubles and fun you're going through, you don't see them in the picture. These people love you, pray for you, remain loyal to you and will always be there for you. Before you got your first paycheck or lost your first job, a story line was written. Before you were conceived, the best filmmaker perceived that your story is a perfect material, wonderfully made. We don't notice it because we're busy looking at the things in front of us – our joys and pains.
We focus on what we see. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). Those who have faith focus not on what they see but on what's beyond the eye can see. Behind the camera are purpose, hope and the giver of hope: God – the Maker. If these are behind the camera, what more can you ask for? There is an assurance that whatever is happening as perceived by the naked eye, someone is working at the backstage making sure that your story will top the ratings, that you will come out victorious. Purpose, hope and God Himself – more than enough to keep us going.
Voice Infinity is committed to be used for God's glory to speak of His goodness from now till eternity. It is our prayer that this blog will reach not only your computers, but also those who are looking for a purpose, losing their hope and in need of the Maker – God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
