The Long Way Up

I wrote this letter for my cell group of young adult men as an encouragement to them in this pandemic season. I'm  sharing this here hoping it would encourage others as well. - - - - - I hope you guys are all doing well and being compliant with the implemented Community Quarantine in Cebu. It's certainly strange to be undergoing something like this; I myself, in my 44 years of life, have never experienced anything like it. But let's face it: this is the world we are living in now (whether we like it or not), and for however long this corona virus season lasts, there are only a few options I see that we could take in response to it. 1) We could be FEARFUL and NEGATIVE about it. It's certainly a valid option in light of Covid-19 pandemic and how it has affected our lives on multiple levels: travel, trade, work, and study... all cancelled or curtailed. We could choose this option, give in to fear, and declare and spread our anxieties to other...

After watching the latest Kendrick Brothers' movie, Overcomer, and after coming out of our last session with the young adults (on Paul's epistle to the church in Ephesus) I got inspired to do a simple sweep over the text of the letter to the Ephesians and just compile what it says about "me". These are rich spiritual blessings indeed. CHAPTER ONE I am blessed with every spiritual blessing I have been chosen by Him before the foundation of the world… that I would be holy and blameless before Him I have been predestined to adoption as a son His grace has been freely bestowed on me in the Beloved In Him I have redemption through His blood I have been forgiven of my trespasses The riches of His grace has been lavished on me I am sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise CHAPTER TWO I have been made alive together with Christ even when I was dead in my transgressions I have been raised up with Him I am seated in heavenly places in Chr...

A few days ago my fiancee SURVIVED a motor vehicle accident involving an overspeeding SUV that ran a red light. The driver was apparently a speed-demon and probably fell asleep on the wheel, failing to notice that it was their turn to stop. My fiancee’s car was hit on the driver’s side somewhere between the hinge of the door and the front of the automobile. One of the emergency respondents said she was fortunate that the SUV hit her car at that exact spot as it absorbed most of the impact of the crash. Had it been a few inches toward the front door, the outcome would have been tragic.  Hearing this incident unfold was enough to make my skin crawl, conjuring images of my fiancee severely physically injured or, worse, dead. I can only imagine the shock and fear she must have felt during and/or after the incident. Certainly I felt a great scare on the day the accident happened, and a few days afterward. The pervading rumination was ‘she could have died,’ or ‘she could have been...

Photos are quaint inventions: they freeze moments in time and, when at a later time viewed, evoke emotions and memories of captured life events. I was earlier browsing through my old pictures that have been posted on Facebook and I was delighted by the different events it brought me back to, along with the varied feelings they stirred up in me. From family photos of vacations in Manila, to trips I had made to other countries, to the times I spent teaching biblical truths to high school students, to the first few dates I had with my fiancee, pictures have a way of immortalizing the fleeting and preserving the meaningful. Pictures also bring back precious memories of dearly departed loved ones: like my late father who can often be found sporting a matter-of-fact look on his face; or Sir Allan, a member of one of my Bible study groups who used to bring all sorts of questions to our meetings; or my cousin Edward who was witty, sharp, and amiable all rolled into one. Two ...

It's been a while since I said it last I'll make it quick and I'll make it fast I've seen in you the very best I choose you still; my heart invests A year and more, and more revealed Emotions, actions, words to wield Our love's become an open field I choose you still; to you I yield The little things and nuances They all add up to try and bless They're part of you, but I confess: I choose you still; I won't digress Becoming one with me you are You're getting closer though you're far No stranger to my battle scars I choose you still; thus says my heart Our journey's slow but getting there Has been assured by One Who cares With you around, my burdens share I choose you still, with simple flair

please wash away the second continental obligation  meeting clothes differ discover the belly of a convict equip him to jump the problem reporter wheel a memorial contempt wriggle, tread, soar to the satellite flag the marketing cheat  with a handy provincial farewell proud, talented prince channel his major worry, and relate the flow of the hierarchy dominates his college  and turns heaven difficult and into an admiration of an aluminium attic remind them of the rock of grounds grandfather wrestled for scream off the myths roar for victory small traits

You go into a grocery store and you'll find it. Purchase an electronic product or an appliance and you'll see it. Venture into a construction or road works area and it'll be highly visible. They're tacked on to things and posted in places where caution is of great import. Warning labels. They inform consumers of potential allergens in food items so that harm could be avoided. They warn users of possible hazards when it comes to operating tech devices and common household appliances to assure safety. They keep the people away from dangerous industrial and public work areas so that no accidents occur. That's what these labels are for: to know how to properly use and operate things, and to always operate them within safe parameters. Many times, I have wished people came with warning labels because sometimes you just really do not know what you're getting when you get into certain human relationships. There's oftentimes no way of knowing who...

At a young age, there are many things that a child may wish to become when they grow up. Some might want to become doctors or astronauts or scientists. Others might desire to become police officers or pilots or ballerinas. At the age of ten, I remember wanting to become two things when I grew up: a teacher, and a priest. Around that age, I remember playing with my action figures, setting them up in a ‘classroom’ scenario where I played the role of teacher and they, by no choice of their own, became my students. During this childhood play time, I did not only give them lessons to learn, but I also pretended to give them exams afterward. I was probably a little over nine. Not long after that when, again, I had to move to another school — a Catholic school, no less — the other of my childhood dreams was incepted. To begin with, I had always felt a closeness to God even before I left the clutches of traditional religion, but having been exposed to the lives of the Catholic s...

Nerves ball up, entangled into knots Grateful, blessed for what it is I've got How on earth did all these things line up Kind of scared I might not be enough You, so gracious, careful with my heart Think so oft of how you could impart Aide in word and deed and all that's good Back me up in every way you could I'm excited: what the future holds Still expecting ways it could unfold Places, paces, movements in the world Falling deeper as it all unfurls You, so soft and gentle to the touch Here with you, I feel it's all too much So much more of you yet to explore There's eight more to pass and not before That December day is far behind Stowed away inside my heart and mind One fine day cascades into a life Twelve months later: soon be man and wife

Words would never be enough Promises and sentiments etched in stone Can in time may still be eroded No empty oath, no platitude But gratitude through heart and hand And eros one day exploded For all benevolent intent you've shown A grateful soul appreciates The self to give is ever paramount For kindred heart, imparted flair Connect us in no usual method A word fit-spoken one can't do without For every thing that falls to place by you Bedazzles one who would applaud How does one's fortune sparkle bright For you, a beacon in hushless space Emblazoned in mysterious twist Now form the lovely moonlit night

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." -- Ephesians 6:10-11 - - - - - Although this passage finds the reader towards the tail end of the epistle to the Ephesians, I feel like this is nevertheless the perfect way to sum up what the apostle Paul has carefully laid out in the preceding chapters: the need for relational vigilance, spiritual militancy, and perpetual determination to persevere amid the raging invisible conflict. I went through Ephesians this month via three sets of devotionals as part of my study on different books of the Bible with my fiancée. And though I have read this Pauline epistle before, this examination gave me an insight that I have not had a privilege of receiving. Many people would probably know of the 'full armor of God' passage in chapter six. Preachers have no doubt spoken about or taught on our weapons of spiritual ...

The seeping, the draining of every shade Turned lifeless and dull as these memories fade Opaqueness invading what once was so clear Come, tell me again what I'm longing to hear Remind me what red is and what it foretells "It indicates danger and anger as well. Red runs through our veins; it's the color that bleeds. It colors our hearts and our passionate deeds." And what about blue? What does that color mean? "It's loyalty, honesty, calmness; serene. It colors the sky, the sea, and one's trust. And sometimes it paints sadness, too: it's a must." I'm feeling elated with all that you say So, tell me some more; I think we've got all day I'm curious of yellow and what it might spell Enlighten me further; you're doing so well "The yellows are cheerful and bring such delight; They introduce happiness, joy, and insights. These hues spell out sunshine, and laughter, and mirth But also...

One man debate An argument defined Hashing out the issue With me, myself and I One desires loneness The other, company Conflict now arising The third one, symmetry One man debate An argument prolonged Escalating problems In speech, in prose, in song One highlighting drama The other, tragedy Channeling the Greeks now The third sees comedy One man debate An argument to cease Locked within his own self And his soliloquies One solution: counsel Another: time and space The other: flip a new page And run at his own pace

The Bible is rife with life lessons, meaningful maxims, powerful principles, and revitalizing revelations that enlighten the human mind when understood and transform the human being when applied. For the month of October, my fiancée and I agreed to go through a series of devotionals on the book of Galatians as part of our joint spiritual growth disciplines. We are not by any means attempting to go 'scholarly' on our study of Scripture (as valuable as it is); we simply desire to know God and His word more, especially in the context of us looking forward to living out our walk with Jesus together as husband and wife. As of this writing, we are on the second devotional series on Paul's letter to the church of Galatia. I think we will be able to go through a third one before the month ends.  At the outset of this joint study on the book of Galatians, the thought of learning more spiritual things that can be applied in practical ways piqued my interest: it would a...

The arts is such a vast and varied collection of creative activity and expression emanating from depths of the human mind. It is life captured and translated into different forms with the goal of charming and enthralling some, or provoking and inspiring others. My first introduction to the arts was by way of crayons and coloring books. As a kid, I was enamoured by the fact that I could assign whatever shade I want to the shapes and forms drawn on pale white, sometimes drab gray, pages. A little later after that, audible art found its way into my ears and became a staple art form in my life for years to come. Music soothed me, excited me, motivated me, consoled me, and accompanied me through the many seasons I have been through. Much later still, I got into photography and discovered I had a knack for it. Taking pictures afforded me opportunities to capture what I considered interesting and attractive in life, and immortalize them in polaroids, photo paper, and pixels. ...