Greetings

"Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.
Greet also the church in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.
Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.
Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.
Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.
Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.
Greet my kinsman Herodion.
Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.
Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa.
Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.
Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you." Romans 16:3-16

O, to be greeted,

O, to be remembered,

O, to be loved. 

Losing foot

"He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber." Psalm 121:3

Too many prayers seem unanswered. Yet, the Bible says to hold on, for our God is a living God.

Faith in Between

"The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God..." Romans 14:22

It is so easy to talk about another's faith, while the Bible simply says not to. Faith is just between you and God. Let it be so.

Romans Alarm Clock

"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." Romans 13:11

Wake up. It really is time to wake from sleep. Time to walk again with God, evermore.

Lost Presence

 "Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. As the glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple." Ezekiel 43:1-5

God suddenly had me realize that I had drifted off quite a bit. It was always the little details that brings about changes. I had neglected the daily reflections, the prayers, the reading of the Bible and all. 

Upon closing my eyes and praying, I imagined perhaps God's presence falling here in the hospital, in my room, in me ultimately, all the wonders and the glory of the world falling completely right here where I stand. 

The presence of God was something I had forgotten in a long time. It was what had me breathing. Upon His presence, nothing of this worldly worries would seem important. I long for that day. 

Dreaming Children

"When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, 'What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?' His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind." Genesis 37:10-11

I have begun my rotations in pediatrics now. The first week was a bit of a hassle, but I have adjusted well quite quickly. As it is a big hospital, there are several specialties to pediatrics. I have been assigned to pediatric neurology, and have met with lots of patients with seizure and epilepsy history.

The general mood of the ward was a bit gloomy from the start. Most the patients have admission days that last quite a while, some reaching to hundreds. As that is, legal guardians, mostly the parents are quite sensitive towards any acting of doctors.

As much as it is frustrating for me to do anything, I do see where they are coming from. Epileptic illnesses are rarely curable. It is more so disease that are meant to be controlled. Kids are on antiepileptic drugs throughout their lives, and have to go in and out of the hospital if the medication starts to fail.

If seizures are not well controlled, they often go through brain surgeries, which leave them quite incapable. Some just seem living, rarely alive.

The sermon today was on Genesis 37. The series on Genesis has now reached the story of Joseph. Often times when we hear about Joseph and his dreams, we think about how arrogant he was on boasting about his dream. The pastor, however, talked about how the family could have done better. Instead of scolding him, perhaps they should have listened to him and encouraged his dreams.

Instead of taking offense, what if they family had told Joseph the virtues of a leader? Perhaps that of a great man?

The sermon connected with the patients I saw everyday at the ward. What dreams would these children ever have?

I did dread working at the ward lately, but I felt like some decent prayer was quite necessary. I wanted to pray so that these children could really dream again, perhaps be completely rid of their illnesses and run around with their fellow classmates. I wanted them to have strong desires to become somebody and work hard to achieve. I wanted them to truly enjoy the world God had built for us, and to truly learn of his love.

If even one child became healthy, everyone would exclaim the presence of a miracle, but I would know it was an act of God's mercy. I really want that intimacy with Him. If it is not too much to ask, could everyone pray with me? Thanks always. 

Verse for 2020

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

After days of prayer, this was the verse chosen for me. In times of distress, I took it as God's response, his love for me. In whatever I choose to do in this year, I pray that it is what God desires. In His name, I wish to seek, in His name, I wish to see it happen. I pray that my life is used to glorify God. I pray that my life be used to spread the love of the Son.

True Fasting

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” Isaiah 58:6-9

Recently, I have been talking to a lot of people with all different kinds of issues. I still remember a pastor saying that if I had no special prayer request, it could be a sign that God wants me to pray more for others. I feel like I have been in the stage a while, and so I have been trying to pray for my friends.

On specific incident, I had heard my friend talk about all kinds of complaints. He criticized all that was around him, and yet, I just kept feeling his loneliness burn inside of him. After the conversation, I simply thought, “Lord, please be a friend to him.” Yet, the words that came out were, “Lord, let me be a friend to him.”

All this time, I had wanted God to intervene in such heavenly ways, but as I struggle in my life, all I see is that He wants to work through us. All the miracles we see could very well be our stubborn hearts move to act upon God’s will.

As much as I would like God to touch his spirit, I ask also that I may be changed to fully walk in His ways.

Hello again, Epaphroditus

"But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs...Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety." Philippians 2:25, 28

I had one of the most wonderful time today with my church friends. They had been my small group mates back in 2012. It had been more than 7 years since the group ended, but all of us kept in good touch. Three of the members got married, with one even expecting her second child soon. 

Although we have much fun, I always was less enthusiastic about getting together often. I really had not realized why until today. I saw that I had a deep fear of losing relationships. I was afraid that something could go wrong, and what once was so beautiful would turn sour and dissolve. 

Even reading such bit of Epaphroditus had me worried about his future back home. What if the great joy of seeing a friend again dissipates? What if such a good community of believers turn against each other? What if people change so much that there would not be any reason to get together? What if there was nothing to do when gathered?

Through my time today, I think it bliss to have realized that such worries should be the least of my concern. In Christ, all time spent together was bound to be joyful, endlessly. There would be no reason to worry about what to do, because praising God would be an eternal activity, full of blessings. 

Yes, all could change, all could depart, but I firmly believe that it would be best in the eyes of the LORD.  

Ezekiel Woes

"I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people." Ezekiel 3:26

Despite my preconceived notions of God, I am always baffled by how vastly greater He is. "How could, why would God do such a?" would be the questions I have. Yet, He never ceases to amaze me. How wonderful would it be to have my thoughts stretch further and beyond, to love God evermore. 

Waiting Game

"This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks." Genesis 6:15-16

An ark of His saving grace. It was to protect Noah and his family from the coming flood. He was to take in wild animals as well. He was to wait in the ark until God's judgment passed. Odd enough, the ark had no means to navigate. It had no sails, no rudders let alone any directions to prepare oars. 

Noah was to simply float. No sense of direction. No sense of destination. He was to wait. 

I have always sought goals and dreams. I planned and acted upon them. Yet, now I am at a point where there really seems to be nothing there to do but to wait for the Lord. Like Noah, his drifting will not last his entire lifetime. It will come to an end where he can prepare and plan accordingly. For now, for me, I'll wait. 

Pizza Party!

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119-103

Simple question: How many of you would gather to a bible study rather than to a pizza party?

The basic necessities, the carnal desires always seem to outrun our spiritual desires. I’m not chiding anyone for that, but what I wanted to point out was, do you really love God’s words? Do you really recognize that you are a child of God? Do your actions reflect God’s love poured out? The judge is God alone. I am no better. I should be the last person to criticize anyone. I just wanted to ask, to call and to remind.

Truth is so shrouded by stuff. Stuff, not because of my lack of vocabulary, but no other word fits so perfectly. Stuff gets in the way, from important to meaningless. It really is everything. All bad and all good can be obstacles to seeing the truth. How much passion will you grow for the Bible? Will you have enough to carry on your struggles to seek Him?

Isaiah 11:1-9

"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,

but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.


The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.

The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.

They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah 11:1-9

To all who are suffering now. There will come a time. 

Coming Down from the Throne

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" Romans 12:19

Come down from the throne. Let God avenge. It is not mine to decide. Hold no grudge. All of it may just as be God's design. 

Belly of the

"When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple." Jonah 2:7

And though Jonah was lying in the belly of the fish, he prayed. He sincerely prayed, knowing that God is gracious and kind. Jonah knew God forgives and saves. 

When my life is ebbing away, and it surely is, let me remember the LORD.  

Reflection: Psalm 66:13-14

"I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you, that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble." Psalm 66:13-14

A short reflection. In prayer, the utterance of promises I had made to God are whisked up one by one. Allow me to remember them all, and keep my words. Let me come to You with burnt offerings, of myself as living sacrifice. 

Celebration in Bangkok

"And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage." Acts 28:15

I will be heading to Bangkok, Thailand for a short mission trip tomorrow. The church invited missionary families near the region as a "healing" convention where we serve them with events, lectures, celebrations and more, as a reminder that they are remembered and loved by God. 

Personally, I was looking for some message from God that I am indeed welcome to be a part of this. In reading the scripture, I came across the passage where Paul finally arrives in Rome. Upon seeing fellow believers, Paul was very much encouraged. 

So, although what little encourage I may be, I like to believe that God is happy to see me be a part of this. Bode me well!

Never Stop Praying

"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way." 1 Samuel 12:23

Every time I meet someone from the past days, I always have a sense of embarrassment: The fact that I did not carry on a better relationship with God, the fact that I did not seem to grow in spirituality, and the fact that I had not prayed fervently for them. With bits of bitterness and sorrow, I grow smaller. 

Are You Better?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

The speakers in the car carried on the voice of the pastor. It asked, "Are you better than God? If not, why do you blatantly disobey his commands?"

They were simple words, but alarmed my mind. What had I been thinking? Or, to be clearer, had I ever been thinking at all?

There just seemed to be too much to know about God, yet I was searching through the world, looking for anything that seemed fun to do. All the guide posts, the signs, the words of God that shout that is not the way, came flashing before my eyes.

It definitely was the time to turn back now. I had spent enough time away from God.

Ask yourself too. Are you better than God?

Outcry

"What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention, that you examine them every morning and test them every moment? Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you who see everything we do? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you? Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive me sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more." Job 7:17-21

The outcry of Job rings in my ears, as if my soul cries out the same anguish towards the LORD. How many nights have I suffered inside my head, alone to my thoughts. How many days have I spent feeling alone, feeling no presence of God. How many times have I felt God grinding over me as if I had been something. What am I that you make so much of me?

The answer I know, but the voice of Him is what I wish to hear.