26. the sheep and the shepherd: a metaphor

the sheep are among
the densest animals God created
defenseless by nature
they are slow and easily frightened

sheep cannot find food
and water without help
when danger is near
won't fight back, but just yelp

they don't have survival skills
they eat grass down to the roots
unless someone leads them
they're a target easy to shoot

they'll stay in a barren land
they will bleat until they die
without a caring shepherd
they'll just cry and never try

even the simple task of drinking water
they cannot do on their own
frightened by bubbles and splashes
they won't come near, and yes, won't drown

everything must be given them
the food to eat and drinking water
without a shepherd looking after
wild animals will find them easy to slaughter

in the Hebrew social scale
the shepherd is the lowliest job
in a Hebrew family
this job gets bumped down to the youngest son

the rod is a long strong stick
at the end you'll find a knob
then a tall pole with a crook on top
is the staff, on the other hand

the staff is an equipment
to keep them out of trouble and on the right path
when close to the cliff's edge and into ravines
they're pulled out by the crook of the staff

the rod is the shepherd's equipment
that kills wild animals seeking a sheep to devour
with a shepherd's precise aim and deadly force
he could protect the sheep from predators

the rod and staff, are the shepherd's instruments
for the sheep's provision and protection
did it ever cross your mind at all
is this metaphor a fitting comparison?

we are the sheep, and the Lord, our shepherd
no need to be offended by the lowly description
the clueless sheep, to the shepherd has invaluable worth
the shepherd,a symbol of  strength and protection

the message in the 23rd Psalm, have you heard?
it is not just a story between the sheep and shepherd
in it is a truth, a promise, a future
even in times of crisis, be secure, God's love endures


*based on chapter 2 of Chip Ingram's book, "I am with you always" (pp. 55-57)

25. how do you talk to God?

i have heard people ask 

how do you talk to God?

how do you hear HIS voice?

does He answer with a nod?

God is not human 

that we can physically see or hear 

we can only sense his presence 

and experience that He's near 

He does reply to questions

if in your heart you search sincerely

He gives signs and admonitions 

if you try to look and listen carefully

it is never an easy thing 

human interpretations can get in incorrectly

for every question that we need answered

turn to the Scriptures, look closely 

pray for guidance and direction 

look in places where God's servants dwell

seek the Holy Spirit's leading

On your knees, fight the battle!

24.thanking God even when we're hurting

(photo by SpinC)

there are countless things
that are easy to be grateful for
Ephesians 5:20, it says
for ALL things, always thank the Lord

thus it means all thankfulness
is not only for the good things
and that even so we should
thank God when we're hurting

it isn't easy to feel thankful
for the things that make us sad
or for the things that happen to us
that make us feel so bad

but why does the Bible tell us
to be thankful for ALL things
for provisions, for protection
should we be thankful for sins?

it is not the sin to be thankful for
but for the evaluation of the situation
for the consciousness of the wrong done
for atonement and realization

thankfulness draws us nearer
and reminds us of God's presence
looking for God's purpose
is the true and real essence

in spite of the pain we feel
His motivation, we will receive.
to submit to HIS will, to build our faith
against the Evil One, it is a shield

when you give thanks for everything
it changes our hearts and affects our attitude
"nothing to be thankful for"- that's the shout of the devil
the antidote for that is GRATITUDE

23. the sin of unbelief

are you struggling to believe
in how much God can do for you?
and it is not even because
of the good things that you do

whether you do good or do evil
His blessings will still flow
because HE does what he does
out of HIS own goodness, don't you know?

we don't believe our sins are forgiven
in our pride and ignorance
He forgives us but we can't forgive ourselves
do we realize it's arrogance?

are we even aware
that we insult Him with our unbelief
we think that for all the bad things we had done
we shall never get relief

but our ways are not the same as God's ways
there's a world of difference in between
believe in Him, accept his gift
Out of the darkness, come out clean....

22. Is God changing you?

can you now understand God's reasons
for withholding the answer to your prayer?
when He doesn't seem to hear
and you think He doesn't care

when the fervent hope in your heart
remains unanswered and too distant
when your needs and wants seem ignored
and you don't receive them in an instant

do you now feel compassion
for the people who are hurting?
do you say a prayer for a sick person
when before, in your mind, it's the farthest thing

do you find yourself crying
at the sight of someone dying?
does it tear your heart to pieces
when you see other people suffering?

do you feel bad when you do bad?
as a person, are you now any better?
do you feel glad when you can comfort the sad?
do you notice that your patience is longer?

when you can wish good things for an enemy
and you pray for them a shower of blessings
when for each time that they hurt you
you pray harder and you're still forgiving

No doubt, in your life, God is working
your old, indifferent heart is changing
with constant reading of his words and praying
the brightness of HIs light, you're reflecting.

21. come to grips with who you are

(photo by SpinC)

who did God make you to be?
who are you, that's a question of identity
do you know where do you belong?
that's a question of security

do you know what you are supposed to do?
this is a question of significance
All these questions you must answer
and realize you were not made by chance

think ACCURATELY of who you are
not TOO HIGH and not TOO LOW
bare yourselves, come to grips
and your real self, you will get to know

in the family of God is where you belong
not just today but forever
and what God asks you to do?
your spiritual gifts, do discover

Never forget who you really are
that you are unconditionally accepted
You are God's workmanship
you are fearfully and wonderfully created

Rest and rejoice in God
You are loved, forget false humility
remember this: only God can love you
with such immeasureable, acute intensity


*LOTE podcasts 1124 and 1125 2011

20. true spirituality

what is your passion and pursuit?
what is important in your life?
confront yourself with the truth
and cultivate your spiritual side

if you want to really know HIM
what you've left behind, you must forget
strain forward to what's ahead
forget your baggage and regrets

remember that whatever is your baggage
it has no bearing on your future
listen clearly to the message
He's forgiven you, now start feeling secure.

approaching true spirituality
is more about DIRECTION than PERFECTION
it is not all about DUTY
but rather, more about DEVOTION

The question is not "are you perfect?"
but "Who are you pursuing?"
it is more the question of
"what direction is your life going?"

true spirituality is more about
TRANSFORMATION than TRADITIONS
not how you've lived but "is your life changing?"
that is truly the question.

whereever you are in your journey
in this spiritual pilgrimage
draw near to God and He'll draw near you
let us not forget that message.

19. there's got to be more to life than this!

when you wonder if God is real
when you doubt that HE exists
when you look around you, doesn't it make you feel
that there's got to be more to life than this?

once, an unbeliever said,
"God, if you're real, reveal yourself to me"
The answer is not in an apparition
but in all the things that we can see

the Hubble space Telescope
what great things can it make us see?
a super high powered telescope
allows us a peep of the universe with much greater capability

with a tiny peephole the size of a grain of sand
looking at the universe like at arm's length from where you stand
1500 to 2000 galaxies, the astronomers found
realize this: in one galaxy 50-100 billion stars abound

one tiny crack in the universe
now we're seeing things we've never seen before
faint and bright stars nearest and farthest
what else could they be but a CREATOR'S creations galore!

a peephole the size of a grain of sand
can you imagine if you could see a whole inch?
OR see a whole foot or a whole mile
stumped and struck by this revelation, you will flinch

This vast, awesome, orderly, structured, magnificent beyond
Isn't there more than these?
There's more to you than just flesh
think: WHO MADE ALL THESE?

(the figures in Chip Ingram's podcast are even "small" -- be amazed-- read here: http://www.universetoday.com/24328/how-many-stars/   

18. salt of the earth, light of the world

"you are the salt of the earth
you are the light of the world"
pure or impure salt, bright or weak light
these are what we are, we are told

if we lose our saltiness
will we ever get it back?
if our light does not beam brightness
then our lives are in the dark

as salt we must provide flavor
to something that is bland
as light we must drive darkness
and beam brightness where we stand

salt that has become tasteless
is useless and must be cast away
light that doesn't give brightness
should be put out without delay

flavor the lives of the people around us
so that through us they will know God's truth
help them preserve their life's value
prevent decay, instead bear fruits

let our light warm the people around us
let them feel protected and secure
shine our light as bright as He wants
help bring them closer to the love that endures

whose life are we impacting?
are we reflecting the light of God?
a thirst for God, are we creating?
for other people to desire what we have

17. a highway, not a tightrope

walking on a tight rope
a thousand feet down
on both sides, alligators
and piranhas abound

spikes coming out
all sharp and pointed
one miss in my step
I'd surely get wasted

walking on a highway
is so much different
guard rails left and right
stay on the line, go straight ahead

an ideal day with no traffic
would be nice to drive in the center
in life, its equivalent
is to drive out of line when we err

God's will for us is like the highway
and not like the tightrope
Be willing to do what he wants
he is the Father, who gives us hope

for the consequence of our obedience
God is responsible
for the consequence of our disobedience
only ourselves are liable.

the CATERPILLARS you must ENDURE

if you want to get acquainted 

with BUTTERFLIES in the future

~~antoine de saint exupery~~

---

~ currently unavailable 

working some things out 

please bear with the blogger

~ need prayers 

please pray

16. how do you do God's will?

(photo by ~g'n'p)

the secret of the Lord
is for those who fear Him
to "fear Him" is to do life
according to His will

God will instruct you
in the way that you should go
He'll counsel and guide you
with His eye upon you, the good path He will show

But how do you find God's will?
For your life, what does He want?
Finding God's will has more to do
with knowing a "who" than knowing a "what"

Who is God, What is He like?
Seek His face, and seek His heart
To do this, there is a prerequisite
have a rich relationship with Him and submit.

Study His words, ask to be enlightened
in your enlightenment, your response depends
if you don't respond to God's light, remember this:
even the light that you think you have, will cease to exist.

If, on things that God made clear to you,
you're already acting
You can expect God to give you
more light and understanding

How to do God's will, requires you to do many things
Study his words, do your homework~keep researching
seek wisdom outside yourself, Seek mature counsel
PRAY earnestly, until the answer, you can tell.

15. (suffering for doing good (1Peter3:8-22)

(not sure ~ have to check again who owns this pic) 

be sympathetic, love one another
be compassionate and humble
do not repay evil with evil, or insult with insult
repay evil with blessing, to blessings they will result

turn from evil and do good
seek peace and pursue it,
the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
to their prayers His ears are attentive

who is going to harm you
if you are eager to do good?
do not fear threats, do not be frightened
in your hearts revere the Lord

it is better, if it's God's will
to suffer for doing good than for doing evil,
He was put to death to bring you to God
Christ also sufferred once for sins.

when asked for the reason for the hope that you have
this answer you should be prepared to give:
in the body He was put to death
but made alive in the Spirit.

14. no other God

(photo by SpinC)

He is no salad-bar religion
that you can choose attributes from
He is complete and sovereign
no need for criteria for selection

a far cry from Hinduism
from Islam or Buddhism
the promises of all religions in the world
are surpassed far more than a thousandfold

He works all things together for good
even if you get raw deal after raw deal
be reminded of Joseph's story
great things happened even after he was sold into slavery

what men meant for evil
God can turn around to be meant for good
refuse to worry about the evil done to you
you will be justified, as a child of God should

seek Him continually, discover Him more
convictions come with the hunger in your heart
receive strong faith in your heart and mind
that from Him you'd never grow apart

dig in His words, study the Scriptures
God will reveal to you who He is
read, look up, ponder~
experience how your Faith increase

turn away from your self-rule
turn to Him instead that's what he wants
all that you are, all that you have
Ask in prayer and understand

13. the seventh day

(another one of my cross-stitched work~slightly beat up and shot at a not-so-good angle; pardon the light reflection) 

oftentimes we notice
how quickly the days pass by
Mondays seem to jump to Wednesdays
before you know it, Friday's nigh

the repetitive daily tasks
make us feel nothing's different
day in, day out we might ask
our days, are they wisely spent?

did we perform our jobs well?
did we only stop at the sound of the bell?
did we go back to work after coffee breaks
and did our best whatever it takes?

"six days thou shalt labor
but the seventh day is for the Lord"
let's give Him what's due Him

before another week begins

12. Seek God's Face

(photo by SpinC)

How do you picture God in your head?
is it based on what other people have said
Seek Him on your own, discover His face
Learn more about Him, be filled with grace

He is not a cosmic policeman in a blue suit and a badge
arms crossed, toe-tapping, and carrying a club
He is not waiting to whack people for doing wrong
His goodness is what supplies our faith to be strong

People question why God desires our thankfulness
Doesn't that show that He has a big ego?
But look again, for it is not so
In thankfulness, the good seeds we sow

God doesn't give to get
He gives not because you have been good
Realize this and don't forget
Good or evil, man gets shelter and food

Are you hoping to see God in a burning bush?
Don't hold your breath on that
If any man sees His face, he would be toast
That is what is said in 33:20 of Exodus

when you're down and blue
write down what God has done for you
Ask God to make you a thankful person
It is a powerful antiddote to depression

11. everyday miracles!

(photo by SpinC)

T was told 10-12 is not a good number
She has to get it lower
She did a repeat, 35-40, even much higher :((
get it down to <10 in 24 hours
isn't that a tall order?
trust and obey, hold on to His Power
in less than 24 hours she did it all over
1-2 on the paper, definitely lower!

a therapy of water and ardent prayers
Praise God for the every day miracles!!!

10. A Lesson in Obedience

(photo by SpinC)

(warning: a long read)

I am walking with Him
and everyday I pray and ask for guidance
there's this desire I have
for daughter T to get that "chance"

the initial test, she passed
we started claiming victory
the second test, a difficult hurdle
as we waited for word, we started to worry

we didn't lose hope, we kept on praying
deep in our hearts, we could feel His blessing
after a few days, we heard the announcement
It's a YES, the tears we cried came like a torrent

we thought that was it, the trial was over
yet there's another session of questions and answers
on the appointed day, T forgot the endorsement letter
I told her: "what better endorsement than one from the Father?"

She made it and was told to proceed to the last hurdle
get physical exams, medical and dental
she submitted to the doctors, in her heart there was worry
in the end she was told, she needs to get an odontectomy

Expensive procedure, mentally we calculated
With very little time to have the results re-submitted
My heart sank, I know this time it would be crucial
from the start we had known we would falter with things financial

I talked to God and asked why it was so
She passed all the hurdles, in this one, is it a NO?
Doubt reared its ugly head, but in my heart, I heard Him say
Search and see what you can do, you will get your answer the next day

around 2am, I read Ann Voskamp's blog about Thanksgiving
It was about thanking God, for good or bad, for everything.
it hit me right there, giving me the conviction
to accept God's will and obey the instructions

Ann Voskamp's daughter, her innocent heart was questioning
“If God really works in everything, why don’t we thank Him for everything?
Should I only thank God for T's passing the hurdles?
And skip to thank him for what I thought was a blunder?

I accepted God's will with no more hesitation
I told myself, maybe T would need this for regimentation
I am thankful I didn't give up when I thought this was God's  "NO"
He wasted no time, a message in the blog, He needed to show

The next day we asked around for quotes for the dental service
one said 11k, another 17k, I was disheartened
Money was raised, finances put together
Needless to say, my hopes went up, no longer saddened.

Finally I made some calls and in my last inquiry
T showed up in a clinic and had the doctor check and see
He evaluated and assessed and then quoted a fee
He said 6500! Can you imagine how happy that made me?

A lesson in obedience, i can clearly see from this story
I realized God's reason for directing things to be
"Trust and Obey, for there's no other way...
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey"

There is no final word yet, on the outcome of the recruitment process
But whatever the verdict, We will give Thanks, nonetheless
It is up to Him if He will allow T to get this job
If not this, maybe something else, but we are assured of His Love.

9. God Reveals His Goodness

(photo by SpinC)

God reveals His goodness
in natural blessings every day
the sunset, the birth of a child
the air we breathe, the food He provides

God blesses everyone equally
never selective in who He chooses
The good, the evil, the wicked, the Godly
Not because of what they are but who HE is.

Through our deliverance He shows His Goodness
"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good"
even when we are disobedient
We still get saved and rescued

God reveals his goodness through Jesus
The life of Jesus Christ is proof
The world will end and even then

Only God is GOOD.

8. prayerful mornings

(photo by SpinC)

prayerful mornings
are what I aim for
seek God, talk to him
learn more, grow more

a worry in my heart
is not a good place to start
begin with a prayer and a smile
the whole day will be worthwhile

I notice on days
when a time for prayer is missed
something doesn't seem right
and my mind is not at ease

in my faith walk I clearly see
that praying is the key
to learn and understand
in this life, where do I stand?

Praise Him, my God is GRAND!

7. A Thanksgiving Nine Years Overdue

(the blogger's cross-stitched thanksgiving picture)

in the hustle and bustle of every day
I tend to forget something
that once upon a time in my life
I was afflicted with something crippling


my struggle with a slipped disc
had been long and physically draining
the hurts, the pains, the sorrow
spirits low, I felt I was dying.


The hospital visits became more often
the days of infirmity lengthened
my work was affected, I was deeply saddened
for I knew then, if I stop, everything ends


God was watching, He knew of my affliction
He knew I lacked the money for the operation
He touched some hearts, He pulled some strings,
And in no time, things were set in motion

After the operation, it was like magic
The pain was gone, the ordeal didn't end tragic
With a thankful heart, I told my story
How I was picked up from my misery by God's mercy


Human as I am, the healing I have forgotten
Went on with my life like nothing happened
I was lost in my concerns of everyday living
My spiritual life stopped growing


Nine years ago today, I was given new life
though I forgot, God picked me up again
Given a repentant, contrite and grateful heart
I'll give thanks through the verses I now write

6. A Thousand Verses

(photo by PhilC)

The path going back
is not all too rosy
'been here before
feeling broken and lonely

the walk is long
i don't see the end of the road
inner peace and eternal life
is what's to find there, I was told.

armed with the Holy Book
I walk along the path
sermons, scriptures, prayers
I read and listen as i sat

in my walk, I meet questions and trials
this does not surprise me
oftentimes I am in awe
at how HIS love protects me

the prayers I prayed asking for wisdom
His answers are always timely
one by one, the barriers are gone
I feel blessed and very happy.

The road is long and narrow
I am sure there are more hurdles ahead
More tears to shed, more prayers to be said
More battles to fight kneeling by my bed

To keep walking along this path
is the desire of my repentant heart
in the everyday journey of my life
a thousand verses I will write

5. My God Is Sovereign, Yes, He Is!!!!!

(photo by SpinC)

to be sovereign is to have power,
authority and control
it is to rule above everything
and over each and every soul

it is to be able to tell the future
with 100% accuracy all the time
prophecies revealed totally
all in the fullness of time

my God is sovereign over his creation
everything created for him and by him
He is Alpha and Omega, King of Kings
He is God from everlasting to everlasting

Romans 8:28 is a big promise
that all things work together for good
for one to stand behind such promise
have unlimited power, he should

people argue about God's sovereignty
when they should be comforted, instead
My God is sovereign, yes, HE IS
Salvation is for those who loved and trusted.

4. three hearts ♥♥♥ (dedicated to T,J and me)

(photo from DeviantArt ~blueeye)

♥♥♥


where do we begin
looking back in time?

do you remember the first day?
it all seems so far away

hazy images of youth
when we all used to be cute

a bunch of years and a bunch of pounds later
today I sure wish I was slimmer

three hearts that bonded together in 1981
listen, do you realize 30 years have gone?

college was part hardship, part fun
to be given a chance to go back, I'll want one.

how super it would have been
if back then, God's truths  these hearts  had seen?

His love brought three hearts back together

what God hath put together, let no trials put asunder...

3. God's Justice.

(photo owned by Jose Maria P. Alcasid)

Life is not fair, no, it never is, never was
but GOD is fair, is it even clear to us?

God created Life, yet sometimes it isn’t JUST
to know God’s sense of justice, is indeed a must!

Bad things happen to good people, that is true
Despite obedience, misfortunes make them blue

Good things happen to bad people; Yes, unfair!
They live a sinful life, yet they succeed and prosper.

It is because this world, is no longer what it was
The Evil One defiled it, turned a big part into trash

This is a FALLEN world, people do bad things to other people
Man’s freedom to choose was abused, hence, caused The Good to tumble.

God’s justice is like fire~~it purifies gold, precious stones and silver
but fire on wood, hay or stubble, they will vanish, disappear.

God is a Just God, All-knowing, God Almighty
Good or bad, we’ll all get what we deserve, we will be judged accordingly.

2. Is Your God Too Small?

(photo from crossridge church, ca)

Who is GOD,
in your heart, who is HE?

a self-help genie
in times of emergency?

a vendo machine
that dispenses soda and coffee?

drop in a coin
push buttons, get some tea?

left to ourselves,
we tend to SHRINK him

instead of magnifying
and hold in high esteem

search our hearts
are we at all cognizant?

Between Him and US
who should be the servant?

We seek God for things
things that would make us happy

seeking only our own happiness
dear Brethren, is IDOLATRY

Maximize God
draw near, come to him

begin entrusting, please stop controlling
the one who CAN CONTROL everything

1. I Know God is Going to Bring Nanny Home

( A poem based on a blog post,  "When You Desperately Want God To Hear Your Prayers in  A Holy Experience by Ann Voskamp, an accomplished Christian blogger and author of New York Times Bestseller, One Thousand Gifts ~~ from which book title this new blog took inspiration from)



Two pygmy goats for the birthday girl
one white and the other dark
the dark is the shadow of the white
the nicknames Nanny and Ninny sparked

“Mama,do goats make good dinner for coyotes?”
in a broken voice, Shalom asked
In less than a day, Nanny ran away
Off for the hunt, everyone was tasked

“Shome”, Kai makes her name sound like home
“Remember, Nanny’s wearing a collar”
Comforting, giving hope to Shalom
“it’s got our phone number, someone will call later”

After the lights are out. Shalom prays
“God I cried a lot today, please hear,
in that bottle of yours, catch all our tears
Bring my Nanny home, the coyotes, I fear

“Mama, God does love us, doesn’t he?”
her words piercing through the heart
God is always good and we are always loved
I know that without a doubt.

The second night Shalom prayed hard
the next day, our hopes are fading, it’s sad
The third night, staring into the unknown
still her voice said, “I know God is going to bring Nanny home”

What if he doesn’t? the seed of doubt has spoken
What if he doesn’t do what we pray, what we plea?
What if he doesn’t, and it leaves us heartbroken
What if things don’t turn out how we want it to be?

Even if he doesn’t, He does still love us
Even if He doesn’t do what we will
His will is still right, His heart, still good
Hush those doubts, your heart, keep still

Maybe Nanny is out there somewhere–or not
Keep looking out the window
That which we fear might happen to us
is the same thing to produce deep faith, don’t you know?

On the fourth night without Nanny
with a trickle of hope remaining
with heavy hearts, still all kept looking
it was raining, then all of a sudden, the phone rings.

The voice crackling from three miles north
we heard “rain”, “collar”, “phone number” and “heavy sheeting”
in the end the words: “we’ve got your goat”
Shome’s smile, all white lightning and happiest thunder clapping

Pure love branded on Nanny’s pygmy forehead-
A clear reminder of what God is,
“I know God is going to bring Nanny home”
and he IS still God, even if he doesn’t….