The Humble Praise

image

Photo credit: chrisheinz.com

I praise thee God for this LOVE.

This love which I now share to others as an overflowing blessing of which You have showered upon me abundantly.

I praise thee God for this PEACE.

That subtle moment of contentment, unafraid, secured and free.

I praise thee God for this JOY.

Despite the darkness, the turmoil, the terror and the battles.

I praise thee God for this HOPE.

Our resting place in times of uncertainty and the way to start afresh every day.

I praise thee God for this LIFE.

Though it is temporary, we live it not for us but for You as we slowly trudge our way in the life everlasting.

I praise thee GOD for You are WORTHY of all the GLORY. ❤

My Heart Mourns

mJe-PoFu

Photo credit: @oneJesusloves

My heart mourns….

For what was, what is and what will be. Of fears not for myself but for the future of my children, my family and the future generations. I fear the kind of environment my children would grow up if they are exposed early on in their childhood in pubs, bars and clubs with smoking and drinking all around and scantily clad women grazing the stage dancing provocatively among other worldly influences…

My heart mourns…

For I know that my husband and I do not share the same level of faith. He doesn’t know God the way I know Him. He doesn’t see things the way I see them. I know he is yet to know God more on a deeper level in this marriage but for now, I have to endure the test of patiently waiting…

My heart mourns…

With the questions I have if it is God’s will that I lead my family given that my grandmother and Mom are considered the great matriarchs of their families. I know it is not God’s mandate for women to lead for wives were given the roles of supporters only and to submit to their husbands, who are the leaders. But if I am to lead, do I have the courage, the strength and the boldness of the spirit to lead my family well towards God?…

My heart mourns…

For the differences in the way that my husband and I were brought up. For the differences in the way we react, the way we talk, the choice of words, our differences in our intentions, our goals, our dreams, even in choosing our spiritual mentors as he doesn’t trust pastors with the personal matters of his life…

My heart mourns…

Knowing how far is your heart willing to endure seeing more sins being committed by the people you love because they still live with the world? For there are times that striving to influence other people to do good seems like a very challenging feat and you are going against the many….

My heart mourns…

When practical solutions are of no use and letting things be would mean having to see your loved one get hurt, letting them fall, lives ruined and bad choices were made because you have to accept the fact that God may be in the process of transforming them too…

MY HEART MOURNS, Father…

And yet I wake up with JOY. I gently weep but only for a while. Every moment is made with PEACE. For all these, I have asked You why and yet there was silence. Still, I was given HOPE.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘He will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'” – Revelations 7:17

She Let Go

SHE LET GO by Rev. Safire Rose

She let go.

Without a thought or a word, she let go.

She let go of the fear. 

She let go of the judgments. 

She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head. 

She let go of the committee of indecision within her. 

She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons.

Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.

She didn’t ask anyone for advice.

She didn’t read a book on how to let go. 

She didn’t search the scriptures.

She just let go. 

She let go of all of the memories that held her back. 

She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward. 

She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.

She didn’t promise to let go.

She didn’t journal about it.

She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer.

She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.

She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.

She just let go.

She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.

She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter.

She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.

She didn’t call the prayer line.

She didn’t utter one word.

She just let go.

No one was around when it happened.

There was no applause or congratulations.

No one thanked her or praised her.

No one noticed a thing.

Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.

There was no effort.

There was no struggle.

It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad.

It was what it was, and it is just that.

In the space of letting go, she let it all be.

A small smile came over her face.

A light breeze blew through her.

And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.

(A beautiful poem this is. I can only wish I write as beautifully and as striking as this.)

Amazing Grace

(I have learned all about the song since I was a kid but I never got to read the entire poem by John Newton where the lyrics of the song were lifted from. The acapella version of LeAnn Rimes never fails to stir my soul. I hope this will help you reminisce how it feels to be saved by Grace.) 🙂

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

(Source: http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Amazing_Grace/)

 

The Solitary Confinement

princess

(Photo credit: princesswarrior.bravejournal.com)

Out of desolation, out of despair,
A want to escape the devil’s snare.

A heart that bleeds, a heart that weeps,
Wishing a love that is for keeps.

You searched, you groped.
Now hoping you have coped.

Tried to give in and tried to give up,
Half empty, half full – like in a cup.

Now you wonder, now you question.
I need my Savior, He can’t abandon.

For that is my comfort, He is my wisdom,
Overflowing peace, that is His Kingdom.

To love is to feel, to bleed is to heal.
To die is to live, to know what is real.

The Cross bears it, in our every call.
He died for us, to live and have it all.

His Kingdom’s riches, beyond silver and gold,
For everyone’s keeping, may you be young and old.

The everlasting hope, now in your hand,
Are we to take it or let it slip like the sand?

So I remembered, so I’m comforted.
A loving Father, dearly and beloved.

For in my desolation, I can only savor that moment,
To be in His arms, my solitary confinement.

***This is my very first poem that I wrote summarizing my faith and my spiritual journey since I got saved last 3/13/13. Praise be to God for the gift of words. If you have the gift of words too, may this inspire you to make more literature that will honor and glorify His Name. 🙂

“Blanket of Love”

Together

(Just another poem by yours truly for you. 🙂 )

Joy it was to know you,

Oh sweet you are it is true.

Such a thing of beauty,

Entranced by you so deeply.

Praise to Him for this Grace,

He has shown me steps to trace.

Back to an old feeling,

Racing heartbeats, never ceasing.

I wished it to be real,

A love to hold and to feel.

Now I’d have to believe,

Good things we are to receive.

Romance just has its thrall,

On you and me after all.

Made it right through that call,

Enough…enough to make me fall.

“To Long No More – Detach”

"Sitting Pretty"

“Sitting Pretty”

*This is the English translation of the Filipino poem I created and posted earlier which was entitled “Pag-iingat sa Pangungulila.” Never had an idea that translating a Filipino poem can be this challenging making sure I do not lose the essence of the original poem. I hope I translated it well.

P. S.

The photo I attached in this post reminded me to translate the Filipino poem – which is what I did just now. Two words entered my mind upon seeing the sitting boy: detached and languid. Thus, the title. 🙂

 

TO LONG NO MORE – DETACH

I saw in you,

Happiness that is true.

But not afterwards,

When turned were the cards.

Circumstances arise,

Painful was the price.

Why it could possibly be,

Turn out this bad to see?

Now you tremble,

Looking at the rubble.

Shed tears that flow,

Sadness begin to grow.

Beautiful days are gone,

Hoping more could be done.

But you had to let go,

Good things await by doing so.

A promise made,

Memories will fade.

Soon you will see,

The good in letting things be.

“Pag-iingat sa Pangungulila”

Photo credit: scoopboy.com

Photo credit: scoopboy.com

August is National Language Month here in the Philippines or what we commonly call as “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.” In line with the month-long celebration and as an artist and a poet, I have written a poem using our native language which is “Filipino.”

*Still working on the English translation. 🙂

PAG-IINGAT SA PANGUNGULILA

Isang malaking pag-aalinlangan,

Nang ika’y aking masilayan.

Napaisip ngunit nagbunyi,

Dahil ako’y tunay mong napangiti.

 

Ngunit pagkakataon ay dumating,

Na parang bumura sa bawat kong hiling.

Na ikaw ay aking makapiling,

Tila ba’y naging bituing walang ningning.

 

Marahil bugso lang ng damdamin,

Maya’t maya lilipas at mawawala din.

Ngunit ako’y nagkamali,

Nang araw ay lumipas, ako pa di’y nagtitimpi.

 

Ano pa nga ba’t nagkaganito?

Madalas na tanong sa sarili ko.

Naiwan ay alaalang kay tamis,

Ngunit may pait at kirot ding ‘di kanais nais.

 

Ito na ang pagdagsa ng damdamin,

Na pilit sa sarili kong inaamin.

Mawawala at mawawala din,

Hangga’t kayang tiisin.

 

Mabuti nang bumitaw,

Habang may sikat pa ang araw.

Liwanag ng kabataan,

Ikaw at ika’y masusundan.

 

Panibagong hamon, panibagong yugto.

Nasa akin ang damdaming hindi kailanma’y susuko.

Na harapin ang bukas ng may pananampalataya.

Ngingiti at ngingiti din at tuluyang lalaya.

The Quest In A Vast Space

The Quest: A Vast Space

Naguilian, La Union, Philippines (May 27, 2013)

If only the stars shone the brightest when I met you,
Then I can tell that they’ve aligned for me and you.
If only the skies were as clear and as vast,
Then I could have rejoiced gladly and at last.

But things suddenly changed,
Perspectives here and there were exchanged.
I didn’t realize too as days dragged on,
All the multitudes of emotions I have to ride on.

I could care less if the moments were never the sweetest,
Nor were they precious moments to attest.
But feelings I care not but for what I have learned,
I sure am glad how the cards have turned.

Yes, I did cry.
For yes, I did try.
Funny, how ironic life can be.
A happy ending is not usually what you see.

But should I always be the cynic that I always am?
With a fear to go through yet another sham?
But I hoped for gray skies to clear,
Moments I know I always will hold dear.

So when skies start to become blue,
Believe, for always, they are true.
For though I may have lost you,
Space tells me I will find you.

(Written by: Christine Lailani G. Ginete)