Persistence

It's very interesting how God talks to me about my life. I keep asking Him, "Why all these problems? Why me? When will these end? When will I get my own share of pleasure?" I have many problems, I am having many doubts, and I'm beginning to worry.

(Actually, I do a lot of times, each of those, but today, there are a lot of each and all at the same time!)

I "know" which chapter in the Bible to read. I started the book of Job (I just finished the book of John, about the same pace as that of the Catholic Church for the Holy Week.). I thought I know.

The problem with "knowing" what to read in the Bible when you have a situation is that you would have assumptions and pre-reading interpretations on the message that God is telling you. If you do not prepare for the reading, your Bible-reading is bound to fail. You end up reading the Bible for yourself instead of for being for God. And you are not able to connect to God!

So I was done. I started to do my morning routine.

It's been a while since I listened to FEBC's Pro-Tips, which is a short discussion of Bible verses in the work setting. The topic for today could not have been more exact... Persistence.

What's more, the source could not have been more exact and more unexpected from... Luke 18. The Parable of the Persistent Widow.

The discussion outlined the values of persistence, by using the acrostic, PERSIST.

P - Patience is developed
E - Endurance is enhanced.
R - Respect is earned.
S - Soften heart.
I - Inspire.
S - Solidify faith. (I think... I wasn't able to get everything because I was using my cellphone, and I just got out of the bathroom then so I just had towel on me.)
T - Trust is won.

I hope this helps other people as it has helped me. Remember... Luke 18.

MV Doulos

It was an awesome experience. I do not know how to tell it. But simply, I want to express my awesome experience with being on the MV Doulos, the "floating bookstore," trully, the "floating United Nations."
As a communications specialist, I am very particular on the intercultural relationship the crew members have. It was--part funny, I must admit--exciting and enlightening to see how people of different culture unite to serve. A sight that particularly caught my attention was the conversation between two guys, a Spanish and a Filipino. The Spanish guy was alone in the last "station" (I don't know what to call it) and seems to want to eat. The Filipino guy came in and he heard the Spanish guy said, "Necessito comer" ("I need to eat," or something like that.), but the Filipino cannot understand what he was saying (nor can I remember). The Spanish guy repeated the expression about three times before beginning to gesture with his hands (to his mouth). "Comer, comer," the Spanish guy said. I wanted to help him but the Spanish guy was quick to understand that the Filipino doesn't understand. Finally, he (seemingly) got to remember to say "to eat." Finally, the Filipino understood.
I got a lot of books that were really new and practically free, although I went there more so that I may have the chance of interacting with the members of the crew. I was able to interact with them, however, only to ask about the price and such. I never got to interact with them on the intercultural and interpersonal level.
Well, they are currently in Subic. I don't know when they will be back, but I sure will be there next time they dock here in Manila.

Monster

Am I a monster?
Thus began her message. I told her, no, you're not. For some reason, in one way and another... it ended up as, I'm not a monster like you.
Funny.
Funnier if you remember that this person you are talking to is the one who cared about you and accepted you for who you are.
Now, you send me a message, I don't know why I feel a great feeling to tell you, but I'm very deeply so(?) in love (question mark my addition, the wording may not be exact, I know the idea is the same).
You do not deserve any response.
I don't hate you. But don't come crying to me.
I've done my part of caring and teaching you. You just don't want to listen.
Even your friend told you the same things I did.
May God protect you... from yourself.

Three Things

A friend asked me, if I were in front of God today (or yesterday), what would I say.
It took me about 15 seconds to come up with an answer:
I am sorry.
Thank you.
I believe I did my best.
If I die today, what would I say?Have I fulfilled my purpose? Is success a requirement? I want to be able to give my family a life that I know they deserve, but success is against purpose--in my situation, that is.
Let God decide, for I know not all that He has in mind.

Friends again - Pa'no kung kriminal ako

Again. It has been a while last time I posted here. Well. Nothing new. Just some frustrating experiences, as usual. User-friendly people, Unlikely performance, difficulty finding a job. Wow. Nothing new to post, really.

Well, friends come and go. The first semester in my masters just finished. I learned from my teacher in accounting that the papers I already submitted are missing, so I am here online to send again the papers. Wow. I was supposed to be relaxing, waiting for the grades, when suddenly, I have to cram in two hours all the assignments that I usually do in days - it is accounting, and I was a communication major, so please give me some credit.

Finding a job is not as easy as I think it should be. Finding a job is easy, but getting the job that I like and want is different. I want a training job, but that is not as easy.

Friends come and go. I know friends come in different ways. Like through text. They also go like they never met you. Wow. People can be so unfriendly, sometimes. Well, they are user-friendly. It's just that I have high standards for friends. See.

What else can I say. I have this 'new friend' that sent me a message using unlimited service with Globe. Wow. I have to give her a chance. Well, she's 16 years old, she told me. I don't know. Her cousin's friendster profile is like 14, who is also third year high school. I have to review high school psychology, I guess. I told her, after asking a lot of questions, " Hindi mo ba gusto makilala ang kausap mo? Paano kung kriminal ako?"