Life in the Bible

After a hundred some posts, I can’t remember what I talked about and what I have not.

 

Thanks to a friend of mine, I traveled over to Philadelphia this past Thanksgiving break. It was a 5-6 hour drive, which I guess wasn’t too bad. The issue I had was that I could not fall asleep. Ever since I got into an accident way back in Argentina, I have been having trouble sleeping in cars.

 

Long story short, the driver lost control of the vehicle, fell into a ditch, ultimately turning the car over. It happened so quickly, yet it felt like time had slowed down. Luckily no one got hurt, but the pastor that was with us gently came up to me and said, “You should probably stop praying for that miracle now.” He was indeed joking at the time, since I had been praying for something supernatural, but this was not quite what I had expected.

 

What I had wanted was the experiencing of God, something majestic, something brighter than Las Vegas, something more dynamic than Hollywood. I don’t think God really enjoys that fancy, though. Yes, there could be signs and miracles, maybe even prophetic messages, but the majority of the experience simply seemed to come from the mundane beauty of life. The sun rises and sets each and every day, just like the grace of God. He hears us and is with us. The messages of the Bible come to life, as if he announces it in the speakers, or even sometimes whispers it.

Leaning Heavily

"But maybe good is more than the absence of bad." - Calvin and Hobbes

I’m no special, and it’s quite alright
All the more reason to rely on God
Bliss between reality is so bittersweet
I’m banking on your grace desperately

Angry at Myself

I hate what I am becoming.
I need a punching bag.
And patience.

A Resolution

Resolute. Last and the First

R: How many times are you being reborn?
G: Everyday, if I have to.

Cherry Blossom

The Spirit fills the soul like petals of cherry blossom in the wind,

leaving scents of grace, wiping tears off of my visage

The breeze gently welcomes new life, never in a hurry, singing ever so slowly.

An Answer

"Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy."
"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy" 

for "...You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 

Psalm 28:6, Psalm 30:11, Matthew 16:16b

Gather Together

I really can't do this alone.
It's tough, but it'll be worth it.
He promised.

Change Who?

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3

Be with someone that loves

Walking and Walking

Thirsting for justice, yet fearful as I am far from righteousness

I hungered to be like King David, building a city of God within this world

Leading men of integrity, one step closer to the Kingdom of Heaven

Where am I now? Maybe a step further or two steps closer.

Dude, Where's My Car?

I met a nice old lady down by the apartment parking lot. She seemed rather lost. It was a bit chilly that night, so I decided to ask if she needed anything. She told me that she was looking for her car, a light blue Oldsmobile. She had come to see a friend in the seventh floor and was about to leave when she realized that she just couldn’t remember where she parked. The parking lot wasn’t so big, so I thought it was a little odd of her to forget where she parked. I quickly brushed off my senses since she was old, and even I tend to forget. After a while of walking around, I decided to simply call the securities as I have seen the management tow cars away that do not have permits. A man picked up the phone and said that everything has been taken care of, that the lady was taken home. It turns out that she never had a car in the first place. She lived on the seventh floor, and I guess this wasn’t the first time.

 

It was a small happening, nothing too wild, but I was again reminded of human frailty. We’re all growing old, growing weak. It wasn’t that I got depressed from seeing this, but I was gently reminded of the limits of time. I wanted the assurance from God that I will be taken care of when I lose myself.

Life of the Thief

Born destitute, he probably did not have much to eat. Dad rarely came home, mom was always crying. His innocence probably broke on the day he met kids his age. The difference between those with power and those without was too much to cover simply from similarities. His first rejection probably came from the rabbis saying he was not holy enough. Without guidance, how could he learn to be a part of society? Into the shadows, his steps led. In the darkness, questions were left unanswered. Only the cries of hunger fueled him. It was only small loaves of bread, occasional pieces of fig fruit that he stole. Though his poverty never could justify his actions, it was a means to survive, not so much for himself, but for his mother. That of course, did not last long. His last innocence shattered the day his mother passed away. With such helpless, meaningless words of apology, his mother was left to dissipate into the ground. Yet, not a soul was there to care for his sorrows. Last scent of humanity now blurred, he probably became swift in his crimes: gathering a crew, stealing in an organized fashion, bringing terror to the local communities. One fateful night, an accident, a bystander had gotten in the way. He panicked. Now death was no longer a stranger, and soon became a close friend. How low could a man go? I guess that depends on how fast he could run. The shadows could no longer hide him. Days and nights, he would be in flight. What was justice anyways? Seemed like bunch of rules and regulations so that those who have can have more, or at least keep what they have. Still, thoughts faded with each passing field. Feeling so small and weak, it was only a body that was in action. As he continued on clear across a hill, sights of people caught his eyes. Myriads of people sat so attentively. A presence. It was the first time to have ever felt such intimacy. He was not alone. Each step towards the speaker was so difficult, yet, he had to get closer.

 

Immanuel.

 

That was the first and the last word he heard until his iniquities caught up to him. Sentence of death on a cross was no surprise, but something was different. Thirst overpowered him. His mind was stretching ever so into humility. He was no longer alone. With each nail piercing his flesh, fear gradually turned into awe. He was now at peace, though only in spirit.

 

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” Luke 23:42

Visitors

Always good to see family.
Plus Laura. Almost 10 years old, still running long distances.
If I had the money, I would probably buy another Corolla.

Dream Sequence: Hopeful Waters

A dream: Drifting away in the ocean was I and a man. He was sleeping tied to a bed. No strength in his legs, no hope in his heart. As the bed turned to wake the man up, he sees a ring, a reminder of his sister. Purpose. I suddenly become the man, as I pull myself up out of the waters, taking a step onto solid ground.

“At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me.” Jeremiah 31:26

Tiramisu

Another breath passes my lungs

When did you enter in my life?

So soft and sweet is your presence

Life in itself became a present

Miss Tiramisu, I gently miss you

Filling the notes with poorly drawn hearts

Jotting down the words, I love you

Let my heart never grow cold

Let my strength never grow faint

In you I find comfort, in you I find rest

Miss Tiramisu, in my soul, I carry you

Haircuts

“Having put him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. Then she called, ‘Samson, the Philistines are upon you!’ He awoke from his sleep and thought, ‘I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the LORD had left him.

 

Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison. But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.” Judges 16:19-22

 

Story of Samson is definitely one of my favorites. Aside from the gruesome violence (as I was too young to realize such brutality the first time I read it), it speaks of redemption. Rarely do we though realize the time sequence within the stories of the bible. With each passing word, days and years could be past. When I first read this story, I thought Samson’s hair miraculously grew overnight, but I don’t see such haste in the text any longer. How long had he been in prison? He could have spent his age over just to have his hair grow back the way it was. How fast exactly does hair grow anyways? How long did God’s redemption take? Days, weeks, months, years? I certainly hope it was of a monthly matter, but I guess we would never know for sure.

 

How long do I need to meditate on my sins that I may never commit such mistakes again?

The Until then Girl (feat. Nakamura)

The start of a Friday sounds of a brand new life

Got no plans but no worries neither

Either, I’ll be relaxing in a hot tub called the city of Seoul

or out there running with the crowd, begin the drum roll

Words flow twice as fast with the magic pill abbreviated TG and IF

 

It’s the Friday on fire, tonight we inspire

Looking for the one, stop, and I’m gone

 

Whoever you are, I’ll be patiently waiting

Because today feels like just another day

Wishes and hopes precipitate like crystal clear

Don’t assume just another one night stand

I’m a forever for sure, a modern day cure

All fidelity here, full onslaught integrity everywhere

Until then, girl, I’ll be standing right here

Dancing Around

“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all this might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” 2 Samuel 6:14-15

I feel like I’m losing the ability to carry out conversations. It’s either that, or I never really learned how to listen. As much as I find it difficult to accept and embrace, I do admire small conversations, in that, they can change our thoughts significantly. I was reminded of the times my friends and I decided to make a fool of ourselves. It’s not that we rarely acted in foolishness, but just that this was towards a greater audience.

 

When I say foolishness, I do not mean the type that brings regret, but the type that brings laughter. It is the smiles everywhere, no worries to down the mood, strangers becoming friends type of foolishness, the complete embrace of human imperfection and dependence toward God. We danced around crazy, like David before the LORD.

Here and Now

As I learn more about businesses and policies, I am made aware of the inherent uncertainty to life and the daring attempts to foresee them. Who can see the future but God? How much intellect is there in learning how to walk in a dark room? Could I not ask God to simply turn the lights on? Then again, he has allowed us to develop critical thinking, for us to do our best in understanding what is present. I guess I am still struggling with figures of ideality that is shown in the Bible to the limited reality of now. I sincerely hope this isn’t all there is to the world. I know what is to come, but I do not live in the future. What is it that I should do now?

Calling

Like a baby crying for the mother, like a boyfriend waving his arms as he greets his girlfriend, like a friend joking around with his buddies, like a student asking questions to a professor, like a grandfather gathering the family together one last time…

 

“for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Romans 10:13

On Histories

Histories and tragedies, making marks in people’s minds without remedies

Scarred bruised and beat like some mince meat

Ready, set go, time to fly low, no longer taking it slow

Communication at its worst, just sad this is not the first

So I stop here before I steer clear

Where’s my destination, probably not here

"I Am Not Yours" By Sara Teasdale

"I Am Not Yours" By Sara Teasdale

I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be
Lost as a candle lit at noon,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.

You love me, and I find you still
A spirit beautiful and bright,
Yet I am I, who long to be
Lost as a light is lost in light.

Oh plunge me deep in love -- put out
My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Swept by the tempest of your love,
A taper in a rushing wind.