Christmas Awaits

Light.
It all begins with the light.
Light shines within days on end,
and though darkness follows,
perhaps even dimming the world,
the greatest light, a star shined forth.
Each year, we remember that light.
With colorful bulbs and candles,
we imitate that special light.
Of course, too shallow in comparison.
Yet, the warmth of friends,
love of family,
the grace of God,
makes everything all perfect,
as I quietly wait for Christmas,
for Jesus to return. 

Society's Embrace

The most difficult part of society is that it is so focused on doing right that acceptance and embrace is completely lost. 

Mysteries!

“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” Romans 16:25-27

Doxology, a liturgical formula of praise to God. It mostly signifies an end to modern worship service and a form of a blessing for the rest of the week. It leaves a good feeling (to me at least) and brings hope for another week. So often it is we hear this, the individual words are often lost.

Today I wanted to shine light on the word “mystery” that has been ironically hidden within the passage. What then, is this mystery that Paul is talking about in Romans? Well, like all good academic personnel, we find the meaning hidden in another book, the first Corinthians. 

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

The mystery speaks of eternity. It specifically talks about overcoming death, the root of all human action. In a flash, a twinkling of an eye, the dead will become immortal! How will this be possible? Let's read into John.

“‘Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.’” John 14:1-3

From reading the Bible back and forth, it will be easy to know that God exists out of time. A place in the Father's house would inherently be also a place without time, hence eternity, eternal together-ness with God. Though more information has been provided, the 6 interrogatives have not yet been addressed, so now we turn to 1 Thessalonians.

^“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

We shall receive resurrection to eternity in God when Jesus comes back here on earth in we believe in Jesus. 

“‘For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.’” Mark 4:22-23

No Evil Will I Fear

Let the world know that my heart is still beating
despite all the cheating and the gluttonous eating
though hatred and opposition is heating
I'll be creating a movement of grace
Indeed, a curious case that Jesus has let sail
Let them know that God's love still prevail
Though I walk in the valley of shadows, no evil will I fear
Here is where I'll stand, o Lord, bring near
So I leave with a smile that will carry me each mile
closer to eternity, tapping into heaven all the while

Collab: ReClaim, Part 10

[GrasDeo]

It's always the little things

the rise and fall, an awakening call

Civilizations coming to ruin

clamor and chaos brewin'

I knew nothing lasted forever

but, oh, at least a hundred years

Yet, my conscience empties,

a pearl-less shell, just memories

This is a gentle monologue for my soul

searching for some comfort, a consolation

before my heart becomes a consolidation

[ReClaim] 

I needa, ask myself what's real and what's not

before I let melancholy rule over me,

I needa ask myself, what's real and what's not,

The mind's becoming nothing but a couldron,

a couldron of anxiety and anger,

depression and dominion

of death and devastation

[GrasDeo]

Before my heart grows dark and weary

I gotta find the light,

A sunlight beating dead in my eyes

Warming me from the core

And so nevermore shall I fall victim as before

Inspired by the movie, Before Sunrise

One day, one moment was enough to see that God exists.

He has created beauty that is you.

Whispered love, opened hearts, passionate promises.

Time was but a twinkle in your eyes.

Like a fine mist that blew away with the wind, however, you were gone.

Diligently have I searched to see you again,

But as years passed, I grew weaker in strength, never faint, though, at heart.

Perhaps I’ll write a book, speak of all the wonderful times we could have together,

just so I can meet you once more, perhaps, make my dream a reality.

Please have no fear for what has not yet come.

I know I am flawed, but I don’t expect to be perfect for you,

so why try to be perfect for me?

Gather, once, remain. I am still here, waiting for you.

Inspired by the movie, Before Sunrise

Captured the Moment

Since birth I was educated, like the rest of us, with death. All my life, directions headed to the limitations of the here and now. Everything was fading and passing away, and it bothered me so much. I desperately wanted to capture a moment, any moment. So I went traveling to foreign countries. I took on various jobs. I watched more and more movies. I even tried to meet as many people as possible. I lived my life to its seconds to do more and be more than anyone else in the world. Yet, nothing lasted. All faded into the brittle mind called memories.

I then turned to God and asked, “Where is meaning in this world?”

But the answer I got was nothing but repeating days, mundane and redundant.

For quite some time, I was frustrated. None of my actions seemed to have an effect on anything. I was bored and anxious at the same time, but there was nothing I could do to change what He has given me. I turned to simple pleasures of the world. Intoxicated, I became, and soon lost sight of all that I had. Yet, the sun came up the following morning, and rain came and went nonetheless.

“For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45b

Despite all that has happened, God loved nonetheless, whether in my good or in my bad. I quickly found gratitude and made joy of the life He has given me. With a growing heart of thankfulness, details started to spring to life. Even the smallest things had meaning. Every block forged into something greater. I speculated and examined more of what He has provided for me. The more meaning I gave, the more meaningful all became.

The present of the here and now, supported by the past of what has happened, spearheaded by the future of what is to come, blended perfectly, for I saw how I will soon leave the shackles of time with hands holding tightly with God. With death soon to be defeated, a moment ceased to be a moment, but eternity. No longer did I have lingering desire for meaning in time, but only in God. 

Life of Defeat, or Victory

Why, oh Lord, why?

Why did you live a life of defeat?

Why must have it been so hurtful?

As you walked upon Golgotha,

With the burden of sin on your shoulders,

What passed through your mind?

The cross resounds with victory,

But the way to it lies with sorrow still.

How shall we live our lives then?

How should we suffer in our way to victory?

Courage in Memories

Memories fading into histories

What was imprinted on my mind,

now becoming sand upon waves

Oh time be kind, give a chance to rewind

The truth is, though, nothing’s changed since then

Just new work looking like goliath, a behemoth but biased

Spieth the devils work,

that three pronged fork is nothing but a plastic spork

So break, the wall of iniquity,

that self-righteous hypocrisy

I’m still me and you be still you

Under one sun, love of one son

We answer to the Lord, the eternal reward