Clean. Read. Blog.

I shall be kissing January good-bye soon. The remaining days of the first month that welcomed my 2012 is now lesser than my 10 fingers to count.


At first, I just wanted to keep my eyes closed, lips tight, as I pass through this month. I actually do not want 'Januarys' in terms of work. It means MAJOR deadlines await me! Wrapping up last year's up & about financials would really drive someone nuts if you are not conditioned and prepared. But with this, I thank the Lord. I have learned my lesson from the previous years. So here I am now, again, unravelling my pen before this month comes to an end.

Business Emails? READ and DONE.

Deadlines? MET.

Reports? SUBMITTED. 

Hoorah! 


Okay, enough. That was just my introduction. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

One of the things that struck my mind when I was planning on this post was this:

Discussing or reviewing this movie is FAR from my intent. The one that really captured me was the title: 

EAT PRAY LOVE.

Now that my January is about to end, and that I am excited, I am again so looking forward to the things that I usually do after a tough, nerve-wrecking season:

CLEAN.  READ. BLOG. 

Clean. I am a detailed, meticulous cleaner. If I can't clean it well, I would rather not clean at all. That helped me a lot to discipline myself in terms of doing things. It is as if saying, do it right the first time so, I do not have to do it all over again. But the downside to that is, while waiting for the "perfect cleaning moment" I just pile things up! I end up finding myself in a mountain of mess that requires a lot of major cleaning to do!

But of course, after a tough time, I do not want to stress myself in cleaning. So, to make cleaning sweet, this I learned: Unclutter As You Go. Then I will not be gearing my energy to cleaning little unnecessaries. Good girl. ;)

I also clean so I will be prepared and ready to - 

Read. Nothing soothes me more than reading in my green abode. In my reading list, my Bible is the one constant. The rest are variables. The constant is always at its station: bedside table. I see to it that it is always within my arm's reach, readily available for me to read. The variables are on my shelf. I pull out one that I think I need at a given moment, then also on the bedside I put. As of this time, I am reading Max Lucado's "Cure for the Common Life (Living in your Sweet Spot)". I can't wait to finish it. A very good one! I savor and devour every word!

Then after a good read, I am just revved up to - 

Blog. The term seems to solely apply to web logging. But I do not want to limit to that. It covers writing both on journals and on the blogosphere. 

I have with me a journal that I use for weekly pulpit sermon notes and staff devotions notes at work. A journal where I write those rhema words, spur of the moment reflections and thoughts. And those I get to read, review and write about when I am in time's luxury.

And a 'dream book' I also have. Dream book/journal that also turned out to be a journal of one but has a purpose of three: (1) Prophetic words spoken to me, (2) the most daring and musing prayers I claim in life & ministry, and (3) dreams, wishes & blessings released upon my life by people surrounding me. 

And, now of course, I have this blog that I just started late last year. My nook - where writing is not harnessed but nurtured, where expression styles are not criticized but welcomed, in whatever form they come. :)

After a work's load has left me weary, these things make me happy.

If Julia has her EAT, PRAY, LOVE, mine: CLEAN, READ, BLOG.

But actually, they can work together:

EAT so I can have energy to CLEAN.

PRAY to have revelations & rich thoughts as I READ, and

LOVE the Lord above all to keep the inspiration going along as I BLOG. Isn't that neat? :)

(That was just a self-talk. Never mind.)

So, January will soon say good-bye. To February, I would like to say hi.

Greens in their 30s

I love green. Well, obviously. 


Being known for that, I have been showered with green gifts from all over, of different sorts --- small & big, light & heavy, hard & soft, short & long, and the list goes on and on. Just name it. I have it.


With a room that is already full of green gifts around, there are two exceptional gifts in my keeping that deserve a space in my blog:

The emerald earrings and the sweet green/gold vase were given on two separate years, 2010 and the current, by Mom who never fails to hand me gifts - with or without occasion. With a letter given for each, she said that both were about 30 years old given by her mother and mother-in-law, respectively. And that now, she wants me to have it. :'(


I have always been happy receiving letters & notes from her, which I have carefully kept and preserved all these years. I wouldn't ask for more. Her words are enough to warm my heart. But nothing could ever be more touching now, having these 3-decade-old gifts in the package which are now in my keeping. 


If after another 30 years has come, gone and done, long after my prime years served me well enough, I shall also hand down these gifts-turned-legacies to safekeeping hands, same thing done by Mom.

Uncut

I TOTALLY HAVE FORGOTTEN THIS ONE...


... why I have this.
... why I wrote this.
... to whom I wrote this.
... and the story behind this.


If for all these years, I do not know what amnesia really is,
I think I am having a taste now of what it is.
*wink*


So, this is very raw. Unedited. Uncut. The penned thoughts may have missed rules of coherence ["whatever"], but for mere preservation of this post --- which was written 11th of October 2008 [Oh my, where was I & what happened then?], I am posting it now:

If this post really ended here... I still can't remember. Amnesia, told yah. :)


I did not realize I was drafting before I started blogging until, I stumbled on this one today. I will go and look through my files again. There might be more drafts of a good find, 


and will post here again 


uncut.

Back on my Toes

It was a very anointed and powerful praise and worship time the other day at church. The worship leader, the singers, the musicians, the worshipful congregation may have been in one spirit all together, but one thing I know --- the Lord Himself selflessly made His presence felt by each one. It's very touching to know how our Lord allowed us to have a touch of His presence in times like this. How generous is He to make Himself available for us.


As I write this, I think it is better to actually put the songs in this post as I go along...
And you can listen to the songs while you read along...
Or watch the videos first before reading along...

In the midst of the worship, more than the singing, I know the Lord wants me back on my toes again. Ah, yes, 'back on my toes' may mean gentle swinging, stepping from left to right, synchronized with each song's rhythm. But no, it's the thing that God has privately and personally revealed me to do. The urge was so strong. He made me feel it, so I know He wants me to do it again. I have not been so into it these past months, that's why.


Honestly, it still makes me uncomfortable when there's a call for me to do it in a public crowd, but still is a good thing. Well, just as they say, do it as if nobody's watching, so I just do it anyway. I primarily and intend to do it - not for an audience of all, but for an audience of One. So for most of the time, it's private, just for the eyes of One. Done. Deal. I want to keep it that way. But if the Lord wants me on my toes to serve, teach or minister, I won't push or refuse it away. It is not for me to keep, by the way.


I will just continue to keep a worshipful life alive. With singing, with swinging, but most of all, with a pair down here --- my toes dancing. It will be back, soon.

To Him whom my toes shall return receive glory, honor and praise today, and to the end of my days. Amen.

2011 in Quarters

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

As I began to recollect the things I am thankful to the Lord for the past year, I know it would take me thousands of words to have them in print. But just having the intention of numbering & capturing the past days in chunks, I simply streamed it down to quarters.


FIRST QUARTER


[March 2011] Coming across with the Bethel Team again had welcomed my 2011 with new hopes, new dreams and rejuvenated faith. I was reminded once again that the Lord knows me --- evidenced by these people who spoke into my life, who are complete strangers by the way, but caught me surprised how exact their words were & how personal their questions and encouragements were! I know it's from the Lord as the spirit testifies. Exercising their gift of prophecy through the arts, they made and handed me these [Interpretation will be included whenever this blogger feels to do so]:

SECOND QUARTER


[April 2011] Our youngest sister finished her Civil Engineering course. Seeing her walk through the aisle together with the other students wearing black togas, accompanied by the timeless graduation march has left many witnesses speechless. No words would ever suffice such a ceremony. 

[May 2011] Something happened here:

It was both a surprise and not a surprise. Nonetheless, I got it. The Lord just wants me to smile. So I did. :)


THIRD QUARTER


[September 2011] I have always been familiar with Kutless Band. But they only came and sank into my senses, on a real deal after having seen them live. Being a music-lover, living a life of worship came afresh having their music always close --- within my reach & hearing. Their music never ceased to minister and encourage me. How I love them! But more than the band itself, I am so dying to know their songwriters. They sure do rock for Jesus. :)

FOURTH QUARTER


[October 2011] A dream came back to life when the Lord enabled me to start my blog. How my leisure time turned very exciting, productive and fulfilling! Finishing one post at a time never failed to warm my heart. :) Looking forward to more writing years ahead for the Lord.

[December 2011] My sister who marched on the second quarter, took an oath this last quarter. She, having passed the boards is now a full-pledged civil engineer! Who would have thought that the youngest among the immediate family and on both sides of clans is now able to face and tread the world on her own. The Lord be praised! 

[December 2011] Trekking the majestic heights of Hungduan, Ifugao left me overwhelmed and amazed by who our Creator is! Seeing 'all greens' more than my peripheral vision can capture made me feel what the psalmist wrote on Psalm 8:3-4,

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?"

It was a blessed 2011 in quarters indeed! Though there were struggles in between, the Lord's goodness far outweighs them all. Having this mind and heart, I have decided to live a life of ceaseless thanksgiving, incessant praise, and undying smiles.


So, before I put the keys to halt... Welcome 2012! I am anticipating your promising quarters, too.