Climbing to Caleruega, now imagine if I were in an all-white, flowing outfit. I'll ditch the shades and the bag then.
Saturday, March 20, 2004
Long Walk to Forever
Climbing to Caleruega, now imagine if I were in an all-white, flowing outfit. I'll ditch the shades and the bag then.
Monday, March 15, 2004
Love, Actually
Finally, they made a movie about love: Love, Actually. I’m writing because of what the movie did to me. This opinion might not be shared by everyone, though, so just take what I write with a huge grain of salt. I’m coming from a rather extended period of desolation. My recent retreats did not quite refresh me the way they used to (aside: this is because of what I’m going through and not because of the retreats ha). My last visit to the spa for a Swedish massage did not relax me. My latest haircut did not ease my burdens. The list goes on. I was in this unusual state when I saw this movie last night. Hence, I might have been in the best condition to appreciate it.
The point of the movie “Love, Actually” is so simple, and yet in its very simplicity, we have often taken it for granted. The makers of the movie said that Love, Actually, is all around us, if we but take the time to see. Watching the movie was like eating from a box of Godiva chocolates. I didn’t want the movie to end. From the collective sigh in the SM Megamall crowd I joined, it seemed I was not alone in having trouble detaching from the delightful gift of a movie that was “Love, Actually”.
Just out of habit, I always seek the romantic angle in movies. From Terminator to The Secret Garden, no matter what the classification of the film is, my silver lining is always the happiness of the hearts of the characters. For this movie tagged as the “ultimate romantic comedy”, I was not disappointed. From the opening scene up to the closing credits, the movie deliberately reminded its audience to focus on love. The realism and pessimism that the world has developed especially on matters of the heart had no room in this movie. Of course there were several “worldly” characters like the singer who made a huge comeback by saying all the wrong things during interviews, the employee who tempted her boss into having an extramarital affair with her, and many others. Like all movies, discernment is needed here because not all of the things the characters did should be emulated.
There were, however, priceless scenes that should not be missed. One boy asks, “Is there anything worse than the excruciating agony of being in-love?” The person he is talking to, along with the movie audience, cannot help but agree. There was one particular dance number by Britain’s Prime Minister that made the movie worth my P60! :) I appreciated it that the actors wore little makeup. Eyebags bulged. Wrinkles showed. They portrayed real people. It reminded me of the play “Memorandum”, (naks! Pakisabi sa theatre group) which emphasized that there is “beauty in the ordinary”. The movie was not just about romantic love, but showed love for family, friends, officemates, bosses, employees, brothers, and children. I think the most notable dramatic performance was by Emma Thompson. Rowan Atkinson, Mr. Bean himself, was exquisitely funny in one scene.
It showed me that no matter how high the walls we put up against feelings, love would seep through the cracks somehow and we’d just discover that we are in love. This is very dangerous of course, but for at least two hours I saw the beauty rather than the danger of falling in love. I saw that because of love, one could learn a foreign language in a week. In the name of love, one could learn to play a new instrument, and to play it well. For the love of one’s children, one could contain one’s heartbreak and still make life work.
The movie tugged at my heartstrings and succeeded in making me pause just to see the love around me. I watched it with my mother. Underneath the complications of our relationship, there was so much love there. But the highlight of my day was the tight hug of my nephew in the early afternoon. He actually wasn’t hugging me; he was forcing me to sit still so that I could see how the bad guy in his Teen Titans online game turned into a friend after being beaten into a pulp. After watching the movie last night, the memory I preserved was that my beloved Miko gave me one tight, unforgettable hug. As the character I had a crush on said, “It’s enough. For now.”
Give yourselves a relaxing break and watch that movie now. It works even through walls of cynicism, I’m telling you. I agree what I read about the movie, that every person who sees it would be able to fully relate with one character or with one storyline. Please watch it from the very beginning. Enjoy! :)
The point of the movie “Love, Actually” is so simple, and yet in its very simplicity, we have often taken it for granted. The makers of the movie said that Love, Actually, is all around us, if we but take the time to see. Watching the movie was like eating from a box of Godiva chocolates. I didn’t want the movie to end. From the collective sigh in the SM Megamall crowd I joined, it seemed I was not alone in having trouble detaching from the delightful gift of a movie that was “Love, Actually”.
Just out of habit, I always seek the romantic angle in movies. From Terminator to The Secret Garden, no matter what the classification of the film is, my silver lining is always the happiness of the hearts of the characters. For this movie tagged as the “ultimate romantic comedy”, I was not disappointed. From the opening scene up to the closing credits, the movie deliberately reminded its audience to focus on love. The realism and pessimism that the world has developed especially on matters of the heart had no room in this movie. Of course there were several “worldly” characters like the singer who made a huge comeback by saying all the wrong things during interviews, the employee who tempted her boss into having an extramarital affair with her, and many others. Like all movies, discernment is needed here because not all of the things the characters did should be emulated.
There were, however, priceless scenes that should not be missed. One boy asks, “Is there anything worse than the excruciating agony of being in-love?” The person he is talking to, along with the movie audience, cannot help but agree. There was one particular dance number by Britain’s Prime Minister that made the movie worth my P60! :) I appreciated it that the actors wore little makeup. Eyebags bulged. Wrinkles showed. They portrayed real people. It reminded me of the play “Memorandum”, (naks! Pakisabi sa theatre group) which emphasized that there is “beauty in the ordinary”. The movie was not just about romantic love, but showed love for family, friends, officemates, bosses, employees, brothers, and children. I think the most notable dramatic performance was by Emma Thompson. Rowan Atkinson, Mr. Bean himself, was exquisitely funny in one scene.
It showed me that no matter how high the walls we put up against feelings, love would seep through the cracks somehow and we’d just discover that we are in love. This is very dangerous of course, but for at least two hours I saw the beauty rather than the danger of falling in love. I saw that because of love, one could learn a foreign language in a week. In the name of love, one could learn to play a new instrument, and to play it well. For the love of one’s children, one could contain one’s heartbreak and still make life work.
The movie tugged at my heartstrings and succeeded in making me pause just to see the love around me. I watched it with my mother. Underneath the complications of our relationship, there was so much love there. But the highlight of my day was the tight hug of my nephew in the early afternoon. He actually wasn’t hugging me; he was forcing me to sit still so that I could see how the bad guy in his Teen Titans online game turned into a friend after being beaten into a pulp. After watching the movie last night, the memory I preserved was that my beloved Miko gave me one tight, unforgettable hug. As the character I had a crush on said, “It’s enough. For now.”
Give yourselves a relaxing break and watch that movie now. It works even through walls of cynicism, I’m telling you. I agree what I read about the movie, that every person who sees it would be able to fully relate with one character or with one storyline. Please watch it from the very beginning. Enjoy! :)
Friday, January 09, 2004
Be Made Clean!
LUKE 5:12-16
It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns
where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with
him, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus
stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do will it. Be made
clean." And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to
tell anyone, but "Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your
cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them." The
report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to
listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw
to deserted places to pray.
We would do well to emulate the leper's attitude and his simple prayer today. "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus has the power to clean us of all doubt, fear, anxiety, disappointment, depression and pain. All we have to do is ask Him to do so in faith and humility. The gospel says that the leper fell prostrate and pleaded with Jesus. I wonder how the leper felt when Jesus responded "I do will it. Be made clean." It was probably the happiest day of his life!
I still forget that we have already been saved by Jesus from darkness, for many times I still allow fear and pain to rule my life. During my prayer time this morning the Lord reminded me that His will for me as His daughter is a life of abundant joy, not endless suffering. I had
been walking around again limping, sometimes bleeding, thinking that I have to make my life a sacrifice in order to deserve my place in God's Kingdom one day. In hiding behind my pain, however, I have not allowed Jesus to heal me. I had stopped placing my hope in Him, forgetting His love for me. A different kind of leprosy had taken over me and I forgot to ask the One who could so easily clean me and who has been waiting all along to help me!
My version of the Bible quoted above speaks of "cleaning" and not "healing" for the leper. I looked up the meaning of "clean" and Mr. Webster says: 1 a : to make clean: as (1) : to rid of dirt, impurities, or extraneous matter (2) : to rid of corruption. I know I have allowed
impurities like worldly standards to pollute my mind and heart. Lord Jesus, if you wish, you can make me clean. I have been bogged down by "extraneous matters", things that have significance in the world but are utterly useless for someone who wishes to become the Lord's servant.
Lord Jesus, if you wish, you can make me clean. The last meaning of the verb "Clean" is " to rid of corruption". That is part of my job in Sandiganbayan, but I cannot do it alone! Lord Jesus, if you wish, you can make our country clean.
For today I will strive to ask my Lord to make me clean, for I know that just like He did to the leper, He shall remove all dirt and impurities from my life and make me clean!
For this year the Lord's message for me consists of one word: "Yield" - which the dictionary says means "to give up possession of on claim or demand". It is not an easy command but this week too I was reminded by the 1st letter of John chapter Four that the Lord's commandments are not burdensome. I am devoting this year to learning the meaning of "Yield" in my life. Today, however, I know that one of the parts of my yielding to Christ is by asking Him in prayer to make me clean.
It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns
where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with
him, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus
stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do will it. Be made
clean." And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to
tell anyone, but "Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your
cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them." The
report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to
listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw
to deserted places to pray.
We would do well to emulate the leper's attitude and his simple prayer today. "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus has the power to clean us of all doubt, fear, anxiety, disappointment, depression and pain. All we have to do is ask Him to do so in faith and humility. The gospel says that the leper fell prostrate and pleaded with Jesus. I wonder how the leper felt when Jesus responded "I do will it. Be made clean." It was probably the happiest day of his life!
I still forget that we have already been saved by Jesus from darkness, for many times I still allow fear and pain to rule my life. During my prayer time this morning the Lord reminded me that His will for me as His daughter is a life of abundant joy, not endless suffering. I had
been walking around again limping, sometimes bleeding, thinking that I have to make my life a sacrifice in order to deserve my place in God's Kingdom one day. In hiding behind my pain, however, I have not allowed Jesus to heal me. I had stopped placing my hope in Him, forgetting His love for me. A different kind of leprosy had taken over me and I forgot to ask the One who could so easily clean me and who has been waiting all along to help me!
My version of the Bible quoted above speaks of "cleaning" and not "healing" for the leper. I looked up the meaning of "clean" and Mr. Webster says: 1 a : to make clean: as (1) : to rid of dirt, impurities, or extraneous matter (2) : to rid of corruption. I know I have allowed
impurities like worldly standards to pollute my mind and heart. Lord Jesus, if you wish, you can make me clean. I have been bogged down by "extraneous matters", things that have significance in the world but are utterly useless for someone who wishes to become the Lord's servant.
Lord Jesus, if you wish, you can make me clean. The last meaning of the verb "Clean" is " to rid of corruption". That is part of my job in Sandiganbayan, but I cannot do it alone! Lord Jesus, if you wish, you can make our country clean.
For today I will strive to ask my Lord to make me clean, for I know that just like He did to the leper, He shall remove all dirt and impurities from my life and make me clean!
For this year the Lord's message for me consists of one word: "Yield" - which the dictionary says means "to give up possession of on claim or demand". It is not an easy command but this week too I was reminded by the 1st letter of John chapter Four that the Lord's commandments are not burdensome. I am devoting this year to learning the meaning of "Yield" in my life. Today, however, I know that one of the parts of my yielding to Christ is by asking Him in prayer to make me clean.
Monday, December 15, 2003
Saturday, November 01, 2003
The Waters of Power
My blood sister's baptismal name is Ma. Cristina so I've always been curious what the famous Ma. Cristina Falls looks like. Ate is now an Australian citizen and on the day of the Lingkod National Leaders Training Conference (NLTC) outing in Iligan, I proudly texted her that I was on my way to finally see her namesake. I almost did not join the outing because of body aches brought about by the E-Night and all the preparations that went to it, but something in me could not forego that rare chance of seeing the waterfalls of Iligan City.
I got a tangerine sticker so I belonged to Bus No. 1, Jeeps No. 1-7, and Ma. Cristina was the last place our group visited. I was excited, momentarily forgetting all physical discomfort caused by the 350 steps (one-way) we climbed and the rain that soaked us the whole day.
Ma. Cristina was worth the wait. Living water seemed to gush out of the mountains. For me, it was a magnificent display of God's power. I was content just to stare at it and to marvel at how such a beautiful thing could be so powerful. God's word for me during the first day of the NLTC came back, which was to Soak in His power, so that when I am squeezed by my personal challenges back in the real world, it would be His glory that would come out of me. I stood there before the Ma. Cristina falls soaking in the beauty around me, and soaking in the nonstop rain as well. Despite the hustle and bustle of activity around me -- picture-taking ad infinitum with brothers and sisters; lectures from brother-biologists and environmentalists - in my heart I was saying a prayer of thanksgiving to the God who created Ma. Cristina falls.
I was content, relatively, until a sister from Lingkod-Iligan announced over the megaphone, "Brothers and sisters, in five minutes, they will turn the power of the waterfalls full blast". I tuned in to the lecturers beside me to inquire what "full blast" meant, for I was already overwhelmed by the manifestation of God's excellence before me. I was told to watch out for a greater burst of water and a higher level of splash. Having left all scientific thinking back in high school, I pestered my brothers, "But how would I know if it's already full blast???" The professionals looked at me in half-wonder and half-exasperation and said, "Ella, you'll just know. Stay put and just watch out for it." I heard a whisper in my heart, "Be still and know
that I am God."
A few minutes passed and then I knew that the water was falling full blast. What a blessing it was, for I didn't expect it. I saw again how only God could outdo Himself in splendor.
On the way back to Chali Beach, I could not sleep. As our bus wound its way around the various checkpoints on the road, I reflected on the message of the full-blast waterfalls for me. I particularly felt an awareness of how I often underestimated this God I had committed my life
to. Thinking I had already used up my apportionment of grace after God showed His power over my profession, family, service, actually, in most areas of my life, I thought that where life had led me was "it" already. I thought it was up to me to sustain my serving of grace until my last
days on earth, but there in between Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, God actually reminded me that He was faithful to finish whatever work He began in me. I felt Him telling me, "You ain't seen nothing yet, My child. I haven't gone full blast yet."
Just as I didn't deserve to be saved by Him from all the pitfalls I fell into in the past, I believed that I had done nothing to deserve this fresh outpouring of grace that was before me. Beset by personal turmoil now that I am back in my little world in QC, I am reminded of God's display of majesty and I know just what to do - to stay put and to watch Him work His wonders once again.
Psalm 63: 2-9 (NAB)
O God, you are my God-- for you I long!
For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts,
Like a land parched, lifeless, and without water.
So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory.
For your love is better than life; my lips offer you worship!
I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on
your name.
My soul shall savor the rich banquet of praise, with joyous lips my
mouth shall honor you!
When I think of you upon my bed, through the night watches I will recall
That you indeed are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for
joy.
My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.
I got a tangerine sticker so I belonged to Bus No. 1, Jeeps No. 1-7, and Ma. Cristina was the last place our group visited. I was excited, momentarily forgetting all physical discomfort caused by the 350 steps (one-way) we climbed and the rain that soaked us the whole day.
Ma. Cristina was worth the wait. Living water seemed to gush out of the mountains. For me, it was a magnificent display of God's power. I was content just to stare at it and to marvel at how such a beautiful thing could be so powerful. God's word for me during the first day of the NLTC came back, which was to Soak in His power, so that when I am squeezed by my personal challenges back in the real world, it would be His glory that would come out of me. I stood there before the Ma. Cristina falls soaking in the beauty around me, and soaking in the nonstop rain as well. Despite the hustle and bustle of activity around me -- picture-taking ad infinitum with brothers and sisters; lectures from brother-biologists and environmentalists - in my heart I was saying a prayer of thanksgiving to the God who created Ma. Cristina falls.
I was content, relatively, until a sister from Lingkod-Iligan announced over the megaphone, "Brothers and sisters, in five minutes, they will turn the power of the waterfalls full blast". I tuned in to the lecturers beside me to inquire what "full blast" meant, for I was already overwhelmed by the manifestation of God's excellence before me. I was told to watch out for a greater burst of water and a higher level of splash. Having left all scientific thinking back in high school, I pestered my brothers, "But how would I know if it's already full blast???" The professionals looked at me in half-wonder and half-exasperation and said, "Ella, you'll just know. Stay put and just watch out for it." I heard a whisper in my heart, "Be still and know
that I am God."
A few minutes passed and then I knew that the water was falling full blast. What a blessing it was, for I didn't expect it. I saw again how only God could outdo Himself in splendor.
On the way back to Chali Beach, I could not sleep. As our bus wound its way around the various checkpoints on the road, I reflected on the message of the full-blast waterfalls for me. I particularly felt an awareness of how I often underestimated this God I had committed my life
to. Thinking I had already used up my apportionment of grace after God showed His power over my profession, family, service, actually, in most areas of my life, I thought that where life had led me was "it" already. I thought it was up to me to sustain my serving of grace until my last
days on earth, but there in between Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, God actually reminded me that He was faithful to finish whatever work He began in me. I felt Him telling me, "You ain't seen nothing yet, My child. I haven't gone full blast yet."
Just as I didn't deserve to be saved by Him from all the pitfalls I fell into in the past, I believed that I had done nothing to deserve this fresh outpouring of grace that was before me. Beset by personal turmoil now that I am back in my little world in QC, I am reminded of God's display of majesty and I know just what to do - to stay put and to watch Him work His wonders once again.
Psalm 63: 2-9 (NAB)
O God, you are my God-- for you I long!
For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts,
Like a land parched, lifeless, and without water.
So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory.
For your love is better than life; my lips offer you worship!
I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on
your name.
My soul shall savor the rich banquet of praise, with joyous lips my
mouth shall honor you!
When I think of you upon my bed, through the night watches I will recall
That you indeed are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for
joy.
My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.
Friday, October 31, 2003
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