inklings
sitting at the feet of my King…new 7 wonders of nature: please vote!!!
the philippines has been truly truly blessed with lots of wonderful natural resources. you can practically see God’s fingerprints everywhere in the beaches, waterfalls, lakes, mountains, hills, every sunset and every sunrise! its time to show the world what we’ve got! please vote for the following for the new 7 wonders of the world! ^_^
the following are nominated:
chocolate hills of bohol
puerto princesa subterranean river national park palawan
mayon volcano of albay
tubbataha reef
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/index/ —- link to the website where you can vote
ROCK THE VOTE!!! WOW PHILIPPINES!!! ^_^
Live Listing Update: the chocolate hills, tubbataha reef and puerto princesca river trail are currently in the top 10 spot!!! ^_^ so cool!
ps. you have to vote for seven wonders, there are a lot to choose from all over the world — equally gorgeous natural resources from different countries as well.
dove’s eyes
recently, as my day of departure increasingly becomes nearer everyday, I have been praying more often for the ‘future’ of everything, including this open door that God has opened for me. well I have been praying since day one, even before I entered into this, I wouldn’t even dare moved if God wasn’t gonna be with me on this thing, to the point that I was even happier if He closed the door. Good thing, my thoughts aren’t His thoughts, because in the entirety of the grueling process more has been revealed to me about my heart and the issues that come out over the time issue (the waiting period was seriously loooong — and I thought I was patient!). In fact I was contented to be in my comfort zone. so recently, I sense that God has been telling me about future distractions. Good distractions (I wanna go and be an intern at IHOP =p ), Bad distractions (the lure of materialism) is all the same — a distraction. I know where I came from and I know where I am going and I know what I am there to do. I have promises that are alive in my heart but I know that everything will be tried and tested once my feet sets foot on the international airport of the new foreign land – yes, including my values, most especially my character. And yet now I am dumbfounded at the Lord’s goodness, preparing me for this upcoming new season He is letting me take the plunge at since obviously I don’t like taking risks. I am all the more determined to be focused, fixed on His gaze, single-focus like a dove’s eye. So I’ve been praying for the future distractions that God will not only deliver me from them, but in a trying moments just strengthen me and in times where my faith will fail, that He shall be the anchor of my faith. And yes, to ask Him to order my steps and give me the courage to obey. It’s scary and exciting at the same time to not know what exactly He has in store for you and to know that He knows what exactly He has in store for you. Just to know that He is sovereign gives me peace.
“give me dove’s eyes, give me undistracted devotion for only You.” — misty Edwards
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for you life. I will advise you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8
p.s. but I still need to convince myself everyday that it really is for real and that there’s no turning back. Hahhahhaa… 
relentless
i got my misty edwards cd today!!! The new album entitled Relentless is just so awesome. i love the truth and how the words just sound of the desire and the emotions of your heart like your singing it with misty edwards. so since i was in bed the entire afternoon (went home from work sick), i had the chance just to enjoy worship in the room. each song mustve struck a chord and i have like eight songs (strings, mystery, finally i surrender, my sould longs, you wont relent, all consuming fire, i will waste my life…) as favorites or something…hehhee…but my heart just moved when i heard Dove’s Eyes, like its the song of my heart for this season…
I don’t want to talk about You like You’re not in the room
I want to look right at You I want to sing right to You
I believe that You are listening
I believe that You move at the sound of my voice
Give me dove’s eyes
Give me undistracted devotion for only You
the unplugged CD makes it all the more worth it. one of those kind of cds that i think everyone should have and should get a copy, because you wont just be blessed with listening to it, your mind will be renewed and it will speak into your spirit with truth. ^_^
getting in the way
when spirituality gets in the way of your testimony people cant see God. they can only see you. i talked to a friend recently, someone who i haven’t talked to in a long time. she is a bit tired and is looking for her way in life. you cant just talk about Jesus, you have to live him out. if it means showing up at work or being on time for a meeting, it if means going out of your way to do a favor for a friend, if it means looking for a job and actually keeping it, if it means cleaning toilets with utmost excellence — then do so. sometimes what we do is more important than what we say. and sometimes religion — yes even ministry, can get in the way of our testimony. sometimes the bible verses needs some support action, doesn’t mean you have to be perfect, you just have to be real and mean what you say by doing it. it is as simple as making your yes a yes and a no a no, no excuses – not even heart issues.
“Wherever you are be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” Jim Elliot
lost my star…
i was pretty much sad today…i lost my star necklace. it wasnt so much about the jewelry but about the sentiments that goes with it. plus its pretty darn difficult to find a star shaped pendant (that’s real sterling silver/white gold). 
so funny how this week started out with victory but my victory was overwhelmed with fear. fear that has branched out into other overwhelming fears. i kept praying and asking God what was the open door and why. and all i get was mum. today He actually showed me why. If you begin to listen to the voice of fear instead of the steady voice of God, you will overwhelm yourself with unnecessary worry, anxiety and a whole lot a stress. To silence the voice of fear, you need to feed on the word, more and more. And then simply ask for your mindset to be change. Giving God my fears were so much simplier than fighting a battle that somehow even if you can actually win it, you can never ever win. Daddy never lost a star in space.
hay, it all boils down to unbelief. really.
the post office
yes, i got the paper that says i have a package at the post office. now the challenge is to actually get there and get it since i work and live like super far away. but this package is something that i have been waiting for, for like over a month now. what’s inside it? misty edward’s relentless cd (mine and yen’s copy). so tomorrow is the day for our field trip to the post office. hopefully. ^_^ yey!
can you smell it?
yeah, it was today. started today. i can smell summer. and all i can picture is the sea, sand and sky. if you’ve stepped into the sandy shores of cebu, there is nothing like it in the world. these are moments when i want to hit the fast forward button for the school year to end, so i can go on a vacation – where its just me and Jesus. some ‘away’ time and just resting both physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. i can actually hear the waves calling me.
shaking it off
today i realized that nothing is gonna hold me back on what God has in store for me this 08…
not offense…i keep on singing “i don’t wanna be offended no more…(misty edwards) and i guess it worked hahha…well basically when you’re dead the things of the world like fame, honor and even priviledge to do something you really love like writing cannot touch you anymore. and i wasnt the slightest bit irate nor bothered by the situation (some people who cared were bothered by it and fought back…). it was in all truth and honesty, a non-issue. i wouldn’t even try to give it an inkling. and so i say: so what? i shake it off….i shake it off, stand up and sit down…hahha..go figure.
not fear…i don’t even have the slightest idea of what to expect. new place, new people, new church, new continent…hahhaha….and yet i am so excited because God’s hand is upon it and its so cool to be walking and basking under the favor of the Most High. so my mind has to bow low, and shake off any fear that holds within me deep…bec. His love will calm my fears.
not inadequacy…this one’s a big one. im big on looking at other people in a positive light and yet to myself i am one of the worst critic ever. so this year. im just gonna dwell on the fact that it’s never gonna be my skills, talents and gifts. its who my God is and what He can do through me.
not people…people come, people go. some like you, some dont. i get scared of people a lot…more often than i let others think i am. but i guess its just a matter of loving than being.
not blessings… i am thankful that i am blessed and i know im gonna get even blessed by God’s favor and grace. but it is more in the times of blessing i have learned to cry out my need for more of God. there is such a thin line that leads to apathy and a cold heart in times of prosperity, compared to the blantant warning cry of pain and suffering that keeps you on your toes with your walk — i wouldnt dare cross this line.
postnote: i had my first lesson today and it was so great. hahha…its humbling to learn and exciting too. i was humming and working my fingers like they were pressing piano keys while walking on the street. dorky, but who cares. *wink*
what i love about worship
I have this thing with worship…When corporate worship starts sometimes I just close my eyes and be still for awhile. I sit or I stand and just listen. Just really LISTEN. I like it so much, to hear the sound of voices praising and worshipping God. and I imagine God, just zooming in on the people His heart about to burst in constant glad surrender. Sometimes I just let the song that’s being sung minister to me in silence. In the silence of my heart.
Being in leadership sometimes, I used to miss out on worship. But once I get to hear the team start praying and coming in to the throne room…I can’t help it. I just “be still.” It’s almost like straining to silence and quite down your heart, your mind and everyone else, so you can tune in to the heart of God. I love that about worship, giving to God your all.
Tonight during discipleship we did something similar. We just played music and let it minister to us. No singing, talking, shouting, etc. It was like waiting for God to talk to you. Just waiting and listening, hearing. With worship, it’s all about the state of the heart. I love declaring praises and just singing my lungs out in as much as taking time to be still before Him who is I AM. In whatever form, I think God loves it more when we worship Him and Him alone. That when desire and need and want comes to a place of fushion, when it is all that we ask, to seek Him with all of our heart. We will find Him. I think God loves worship more than I do. J
And oh yeah, there’s this kid. He’s about 5 or 6 I think. He sits a few rows in front of me on most Sundays and you know what he sometimes does? He stares at me (maybe he just doesn’t stare at me but at others as well). J He does so especially during worship (my Mom told me…ehhehe…although its impolite, I still find it cute coz he’s a cutie). when I opened my eyes one time and I caught him staring at me. he turns away and smiles (now we have an unspoken connection…hahha…joke). I imagine God to be the same (except perhaps He doesn’t turn away, He loves on us!). Stunned with the heart that worships, for every believer that does so in truth. one time I saw him raising his hands up to God quietly and closing his eyes, with his facial expression all so serious and I couldn’t help but smile and I was so blessed. I guess that is how we should come, running to the throne of grace, with child-like faith. Still staring in awe of how amazing is the God that we serve.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:2
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)
everything to me
As for now, I’ve been turning to music to vent out my frustrations (I haven’t been much disciplined in anything lately…and I haven’t been exactly the most joyful person to be around with…), here’s one that I’ve been listening to over and over again:
Everything to Me
STARFIELD
More than feelings and emotions
More than just a passing flame
I am tired of pretending
So tired of the games
More than going through the motions
More than all this compromise
More than proof of Your existence
More than trusting what I see
All I need to know for this life
Is that You’re alive in me
More than answers to my questions
More than doubting needs resolve
I want You to be
Everything to me
Inside my thoughts
and through my life
I want to know Your peace
I want You to be
Everything to me
No rival throne
No equal love
No other to compete
More than living life in comfort
More than what You do for me
Would You teach me Lord to listen?
Would You draw me to my knees?
More than anything I lived for
More than all my hopes and dreams
Be all my hope
Be all my desire
May I be refined
Refined in Your fire
Lord all I want
And all that I need
Is for You to be everything to me
And oh yeah, here’s a question that’s been running through my head: What inspires you? Or to some it could be: Who inspires you? — many great men and women always have someone or something such as a cause or a goal or a dream that inspired them to be who they are and what they have become. I still don’t have my answer. But in line with this thought, I often so wonder, What or who inspired the Son of God to die on a tree? It had to be you…it had to be me. it gives me goosebumps just thinking about Jesus, when somehow He gets to love on you and says, “you inspire me.” unlike any cliché, it really is true, on days you are lost, “just knowing that I am loved by the King, really does make my heart wanna sing…” (chris tomlin).
So tell me, what/who inspires you? …
