Christian Duty
23 October 2004
I heard Him calling me so I answered.
19-22 October. Together with the rest of the UP CRL delegates (UPCYMians and CYFers), I joined the SWAT training conducted by the Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) at the World of Life, Bgy. Perez, Calauan, Laguna (infamous for its former mayor- Mayor Sanchez) .
In this spriritual warfare when time's running out, i need to acquire all sorts of weapons and learn how to use them to attack the enemy and to defend myself against its assaults. This camp gave me a new ammunition and taught me how to fire it efficiently. Ultimately, it was not my strength which guided the attack but it was the power of the Holy Spirit.
I just found myself sharing His Gospel to someone I totally haven't known even before. I caught myself smiling several times as I shared my Christian walk with that old woman. I didn't realize until that time that I had been repressing myself the joy of sharing my awesome relationship with Him to the people around me. Now, I feel free!
I prayed for spiritual growth. Indeed, he gave me that and with it was greater responsibility.
This is my Christian duty and I implore you fellow believers to let yourselves be used by Him.
exhaled by milbenski at 8:05 AM
|
these dreams...
19 October 2004
sorry to disappoint you guys... but this Family First story will not dwell on why that night which started with full of expectations (of my own new car, own house & lot, 5000 gift certificates, or a mere gym bag) turned out to be a night of false hopes, disappointments, pride, harsh words, whatever you may want to call it basta naging UGLY! (you probably know the story anyway; if not, just ask han, ian, or js)
the good thing about that awful experience was that it helped me visualize my dreams... here they are!
i want to have my own: (HINT! HINT! it'll be my bday one month from now)
SLR cam
lomo cam
palm pilot
laptop
pad (condo unit)
Ford E150 (para kasya tanan)
exhibit of artworks
scholarship foundation
adoption house
restaurant
resort
lodging facility
hacienda with horses (horseback riding kahit kailan !)
baby honeybunch (yihee! inspired by the Starbucks love talks)
i want to be a/an:
- barista
- top event organizer (sought after sa sosyalan ng mga socialites)
- world reknowned interior designer
- architect
- UP professor
missionary
i want to:
- make artworks study FOREVER!!! (Masters, Ph. D.)
- further studies abroad (few months lang)
- design foodservice establishments, resorts, lodging facilities, houses, etc.
- build my own designs
- do concerts
- sing (gigs, church choir)
- join musicales
- travel the world and stay in classy hotels
- cruise the meditteranean and caribean
- love and be loved
- dream more
- make my dreams a reality
- inspire people to dream
- make others' dreams come true
- dream anew
- surrender
exhaled by milbenski at 4:01 AM
|
Rio Diaz and that Puto Bumbong
11 October 2004
Things are getting better for me the past two weeks. But the weeks previous to those "silver lining behind the dark clouds" were just crazy. In fact, I had the obsession of dying (whatever way, I didn't care). CRAZY! STUPID (to rationalize that doing "it" will end all my miseries and start a life full of joy-heaven)!!! But life is soooooo goooooooodddd! Whatever trials, tests... WHATEVER!!! I wouldn't meddle with God's schedule of taking me back to His arms... but again if he says it's my time, i surely would not hesitate to jump into HIS train.
Last week, local tv stations were showing the expected yet still "unexpected" death of Rio Diaz. She knew that she was being called back to the headquarters but her zest for life had kept her asking THE BOSS for an overtime... and another OT... and then another. "Life is great!", she said. Indeed, she's right! But her buzzer had rung. Thanks to her inspiring Christian life.
I thought about how I was going to make this post and all these while I was savoring my ride on the LRT Purple line. It was my first time to enjoy this massive "puto bumbong" machine and I couldn't help but compare this with the karag-karag MRT. Everything about the Purple Line experience was a gem. Starting from the clean terminals and platforms, digital visuals (scheduled arrival of train, ETA), vendo machines, spacious coaches, accesibility, etc. The only thing that I didn't appreciate was the seats which seemed like a clone of the Tropical Hut benches. But who cares, right? At least, you wouldn't have to worry about sardine-packed ride and someone touching your bum then when you look back it's also a man- matching a smile with a meaningful wink (SCARY! lalo na pag may bigote).
Watch out for my "Family First (have you seen those guys in SM blocking your way)" post...
Life is good.... and it's going to get better! :-D
exhaled by milbenski at 4:53 AM
|
Monsters
07 October 2004
Sunday.
September 26.
I was early for the 10 am service.
Enlightening.
But the rest of the day was a party...
a pity party.
As one friend had put it,
"i found solace in my loneliness".
AYUDAME!
Muchas Gracias...
Gabii.
Adios CDO.
Hasta la vista.
Mañana, yo voy a volver a mi casa.
Casa, dulce casa.
It's time to face the monsters under my bed- monsters
that I had nurtured all these years.
It's time for them to go.
Avoid no more..........................
exhaled by milbenski at 2:24 AM
|
Humba Life
05 October 2004
25 September. 9 am. It was already bright and sunny outside. I intended to wake up earlier that day to catch the sun's glorious rise and commune with God by the beach. But the so called stress from city life and all of yesterday's travel had caught up on me. Perhaps, my wearisome spirit was just not too eager to see another day.
Camiguin is a haven for tourists but for a wandering spirit like me, it was a war zone. I was sure that by the end of that day, a lost soul would be terribly hurt if not... burning in hell. My defenses were down and I was absolutely helpless. Fortunately, that spirit greatly feared his creator. Thus, I fled the island of disillusions and sought refuge from the upbeat lifestyle of CDO- the city of golden friendships.
Yes. I was familiar with the city but to know exactly where the "spots" were and how to get there was an exag. Thanks to my virtual tour guide, jaja, who texted and directed me to the places where i needed to go. From the Agora bus terminal, I rode a jeepney to Lim Ket Kai so that I could buy a return ticket to Manila the following day, Sunday (hoping that I could still join the band and the choir for the Vesper Service). Too bad, all flights were fully booked so I had to settle for the only available Air Phil Manila bound flight on Monday 8:10 am. I then took a cab to the UCCP- CDO guesthouse to check-in. The room rate was 400 pesos/night. Quite expensive but at least the room was airconditioned with its own private t&b .
Never had a real meal yet so I ran to the nacalaban street (a foodservice block "monopolized" by the Padero clan).
I had Humba. I must say that it was way much better and different from the Manila eateries' version. After that rewarding late-lunch meal, I toured the next streets by feet. I got tired and decided to go back to my room. Before my nap, I had my musical devo then dozed off...
An empty stomach woke me up. I headed back to the Padero block for some barbecue al fresco. Good food yet affordable. I decided again to tour the city by feet to kill time. I was walking trying to follow a dancing beam light which I assumed would lead me to a party place. I walked still more. Then realized that I was back to Lim Ket Kai (several kilometers away from where I ate). Took a taxi back to nacalaban to meet jaja for a guided city tour of CDO's "quasi" nightlife (salamat kaayu to our driver- Maria Victoria Padero). Off we went overdrive... Lim Ket Kai (Greenbelt/Eastwood of CDO)... Cogon Market (a market in the middle of a big street). Divisoria (Riverbanks/UP Fair atmosphere- kainan ug ukay-ukay).
The night's highlight was the chat with Mr. Leo Cariño (kababata of jaja's daddy yo). INTERESTING stories!!! Hehe
I had beer which whapacked me minutes after the first gulp that's why everything after the chat was a blur.
All I knew was at 11:30 pm I logged out.
exhaled by milbenski at 2:24 AM
|
