Mga Lalaki sa Buhay ni Gwynna
My older brothers: Kuyang, Diko and Sangko; my daddy; my nephews: Gelo and Violo; and my baby, Joey
I know, ako ang pinakamaganda sa'ming magkakapatid...wahaha! :p
Nga pala, may girlfriend na Diko ko, yey! hehe! Grabe, after so many years of waiting and praying for the woman that God prepared for him, finally binigay na sa kanya ni Lord. :) I'm really, really happy for him! Kala ko tatandang binata na siya eh! Lapit na kasi mawala sa kalendaryo age nya! hehe! Si Sangko kaya kelan magkaka-gf? O baka naman meron na ayaw lang sabihin? hihi! :D
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Instant Messenger
Ivangogh21: I'm here. You there? :)
Yhwh: I am.
Ivangogh21: Tough day for me. Class was a bore. How about you?
Yhwh: It was a good day.
Ivangogh21: Do you mind if I share something?
Yhwh: That would be fine.
Ivangogh21: I have a little sister, she's messing around with the boys. My dad is never home. My mom cries a lot.
Yhwh: I'm sorry. How are you doing?
Ivangogh21: Okay. I feel my life is a little disconnected. But it's good.
Yhwh: What do you mean?
Ivangogh21: I live in two worlds. At home I try to be good and help everyone get along. My life changed a lot last year. I became a Christian. but I'm not the same person at school and work. Thanks for being there for me. I don't even know your name. But you're a good friend.
Yahweh: I am your friend. But I am also the One you called out to last year. I'm God.
Ivangogh21: Huh? What are you saying?
Yahweh: You spend so much time chatting on-line or on the phone, telling others what's wrong with you and your family. But you never talk with Me.Ivangogh21: You're talking with me through instant messenger?
Yahweh: I am always ready to talk with you. Turn to me. I'm there instantly. Thanks for letting me know about your family. I care for them, too.Ivangogh21: Can I talk with you anytime?
Yahweh: Yes, but next time pray. It's faster and easier.
"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1
Written by Tom Felten in Our Daily Bread Campus Journal: Wisdom of Life.
I suddenly felt guilty after reading this article this morning. First, because of the vast amount of time I used to spend chatting at YM (yah, chat addict ako nun! pero ngayon hindi na.. :D defensive ba? hehe! :p ). And second, because I always look for someone to listen to my problems, forgetting that that Someone is God. That He's waiting for me to tell Him the things that bring me sorrow and pain...
As I reflected on what God taught me today, I remembered the song sung by Jaci Velasquez...
Just A Prayer Away
Tears that fell like rain
Streamed down from my heart
Colors turned to gray
Emptiness led the way
Until I fell apart
You came to save
To show me that
Chorus:
You're just a prayer away
No matter where I am
I know in my heart
You're never too far
When I'm losing my way
You're just a prayer away
My strength is in my faith
I'm never alone
I'm never afraid
'Cause You're just a prayer away
When I close my eyes
Lord, I call Your name
And the dark subsides
Nothing can take the place
Of the peace I find
You came to save me
To show me that...
Chorus
Bridge:
Whenever i need to find You
I just fall on my knees
In You I find the strength that I need
To live, to believe...
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The Servant Asks
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
The servant asks, "What are Your plans for me, Lord?..."
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Lessons from a Frat Guy
1. Always walk against the traffic. Para daw makita yung mga sasakyan na kasalubong mo. Pag nagka-aksidente, makakaiwas or makakatakbo ka.2. When you hangout in the Sunken Garden, don't sit at the side by the trees. Doon ka sa gitna, sa mga naglalaro ng frisbee, soccer, at kung ano-ano for you to see what's going on around you. At pag nasa gilid ka daw kasi at nawalan ng control ang sasakyan na dumadaan, you might be hit. 3. Be alert. Always look around you. Baka kasi may holdaper, kidnapper, snatcher, manyak, loko-loko, (kaaway), etc. na umaaligid.4. When dining in any food establishment, position yourself in an area where you can see the exit. Para makita mo din kung sino-sino ang pumapasok at lumalabas.5. Always bring brass knuckles with you (*grin* :p ). In short, LAGING MAG-INGAT!!!
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A Perfect Example of An Unconditional Love
"The Room"
by Joshua Harris
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked". I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed".The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read", "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have Laughed At". Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers". Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts", I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With". The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.By Joshua Harris. Orginally published in New Attitude Magazine © Copyright New Attitude 1995
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