Blogs of Encouragement

Lately, I am obsessed with checking out interesting blogs from all around the world. They are so inspiring that reading through all the material actually pushes me to continue this small space of mine in the virtual world. I hope someday to provide as much encouragement and inspiration as they have imparted to me.

Here are some of the blogs I'm following:

http://godsgracefulness.com

http://www.aholyexperience.com

http://themidnightmuser.blogspot.com

http://ddleones.blogspot.com/

http://inkslingerblog.wordpress.com/

http://findingpurposeinhimalways.blogspot.com

There are more. I will send you links on my next post.

Journey on!

Sky's the Limit

Early this month a friend and I went to the 17th Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark Field, Pampanga. We didn't get to see most of the hot air balloons but a lot of activities went on for most of day and there were sights to behold at every turn and above our heads. I craned my neck and saw colors in the sky.
Kites were flying high. Indeed, many flew that day. 
The kites made me think about my relationship with God. For most of the time, I would want to be free from His control and fly with the wind. His tugs hurt and I wanted to be free. And yet, there were times when I don't feel that He is near and I doubt His guidance. But He WAS there, pulling gently on my strings, He still is and will always be there. I just need to believe that I am safe in His arms. Always.

I plan to go to the Hot air festival again next year. But I'll be bringing something with me.

10 Ways to Marry the Wrong Person

Valentines day is over. Yup, it really is. And I must say that, with or without a date and in spite of my no-non-sense Evangelical upbringing, I love this season for all its sweetness (cake!) and color (flowers!). It amuses me when I see guys of all ages carrying teddy bears, candy or a bunch of flowers with sparkle in their eyes and a curve on their lips. I even appreciate the inspiring messages of friends, attempting to give to God back all the love and affection due to Him on this Red day.   However, not wanting to be lost among hundreds of love posts, quotations, and mushy, cheesy and chocolatey lines, I am posting this list only now after waiting for all the love buzz to die down. Nobody wants a party popper, but a little reminder goes a long way for someone who heeds a wise advise, no matter how crazily in love he or she might be.

Click here to view the whole article.

*10 ways to Marry the Wrong Person*

#1. You pick the wrong person because you expect him/her to change after you're married.

#2. You pick the wrong person because you focus more on chemistry than on character.

#3. You pick the wrong person because the man doesn't understand what a woman needs most.

#4. You choose the wrong person because you do not share a common life goals and priorities.

#5. You choose the wrong person because you get intimately involved too quickly.

#6. You pick the wrong person because you do not have a deeper emotional connection with this person.

#7. You pick the wrong person because you choose someone with whom you don't feel emotionally safe.

#8. You pick the wrong person because you don't put everything on the table.

#9. You pick the wrong person because you use the relationship to escape from personal problems and unhappiness.

#10. You pick the wrong person because he/she is involved in a triangle.

They say Love is blind but, "Nay" says I. Love rejoices in truth**. It rejoices in the knowledge of truth that sets free*.

Be set free from hooking up with the wrong person and celebrate Valentines day, everyday with the right one

*(John 8:32, "... you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free")

**(I Corinthians 13: 6, "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth")

       

Blogging away?

I have totally neglected this blog. Either I'm too lazy to update it or too afraid to post my thoughts or both. I hope that by continuing it,  I would gain the courage to publish my daily (or weekly or monthly) shout outs just for the sake of hearing (and reading) myself in the open and/or perhaps, for someone who might actually want to know what  I have to say. Also, it's a subtle way to sharpen my grammar (isn't it great?).

ONE YEAR ABSENCE

This is unforgivable.

I have started this blog then forgot about it.

After a year I came back.

And this is my blog a year after.

I don't even know if anyone would bother read it as I even bother writing it.

But I know nothing escapes the attention of God.

And I know He sees this. He sees me.

And He reads this.

And He delights in His children...

Even if they forget or abandon

Even after a year.

Life is not perfect

Life is not perfect.

But God is good.

My back aches.

But I could still sit up straight.

I'm not pretty.

At least I'm not ugly either.

I'm not rich.

But I'm not poor either.

I'm not a genius.

At least I have some form of intelligence.

I lost my love.

But I did not lose my heart.

I can't afford a lot of things.

But I really don't need a lot.

My feet are too big.

But I could run, walk, skip, hop, jump and paint toenails.

I don't have a lot of clothes.

At least I look good in them.

I don't have a lot of friends.

But they are true.

My Savior is rejected by many

But He is mighty to save.

Life is not perfect

but God is good.

Virtual vs. Furry (a pet story)

Mimi, my virtual pet at Nintendogs

I love pets. I loved my pet cats (We had generations of cats. I had eight at one time when I was a child and all are adopted!). I loved my pet dogs (Punky, Brewster, Tagpi, Bogart, Buruguduy, Blackie, Brownie, Ligaw, Pipoy). I love raising them, feeding them and giving them a bath every Saturday morning. I learned to live with them and care for them. I know each and every personality of my pets. Some of them even lived together as faithful house dogs and house cats. But as of today, we have no pets at all (mice, spider and lizards don 't count). My mom has a "sari-sari store" and obvious "pets are not allowed" because though they are eager customers, they never pay in cash (only in frolic and fun).

So, I consoled myself with playing for my brother's Nintendogs (Nintendo, thank you so much! The game is lovable with a lovable soundtrack!). I chose a pet puppy whose breed is new to me. Labradors and German shepherds look appealing enough but I don't rock big dogs. Poodles are cute but I don't rock small dogs either. So I chose a Shiba Inu. Did I say she's so cute? She's so adorable. I had to name her but since I was a recent cat-owner (our last cat died) and loved to yoler, "Mimingggg!" when feeding neighborhood cats (yep, our street has a communal ownership of a litter of cats), I decided to call my puppy, Mimi.

I fed her with (virtual) store-bought dog food, bottled water and dog biscuits and jerky for treats whenever she's hungry or thirsty (but often she becomes famished and parched). I took her for a walk in the virtual town where she gets to meet up with other virtual puppies and I get to hear (actually read) the praises and comments of unseen owners. I gave Mimi a bath whenever her appearance reaches the level of filthy (with fleas flying off her) to make her beautiful (where her fur actually sparkles). I taught her tricks like sit, shake (paws), roll-over, lie down, and jump. For know this is all she knew because she could get so stubborn sometimes. We even get to train for competitions such as disc-throwing and agility contests with obstacles and trails...

Okay, by now, you know I'm such a Nintendogs junkie but I can't help it.  For someone as pet-less as I am, life can get pretty lonely and boring without a fuzzy animal beside me. Mimi is so much fun, but can never ever compare to the warmth and cuddle-libility of my real life pets (Fatchoy, Hermie, I miss you guys!) Nothing compares to the purring fur ball at your heels and the meows at the doorstep. Nothing compares to the wagging tails the moment you step your yard from school. Nothing compares to the "wild-dog chases" and the feather-in-the-kitty-ears play. Nothing compares to the creatures begging for your love and attention (and their next meal). I hope someday, I could have another pet.

I loved my pets and they loved me back. Nothing compares to the real deal. Nothing compares to the creations of God.