Praying and Waiting

Praying and waiting go side-by-side. One can't pray without having to wait for God's response.

It is actually not an issue for Christians if we pray or not. We do. We always do. We pray before we eat. We pray before sleep. We pray at the church. We pray for our needs. Christians pray.

I believe it's the waiting part of prayer that that plays a major role on it becoming an answered or an unanswered prayer. Some just gets tired, then stop asking. Some realizes that it may never happen. Some thinks that they've waited long enough to decide that what they're asking for isn't really for them.

I admire those who understands the principle of God's perfect time. Those whose hearts are determined that what they're asking for in prayer is God's will for them. When you know that what you're asking for is in fact God's will for you, there is no reason to stop.

Pray as if you planted a seed.
Just because you planted a seed today doesn't mean you'll harvest tomorrow. Growing and yielding fruits take time.

Same thing is true with our prayers. In most cases, God's perfect time is different from ours.

Keep praying. It'll be answered when you're ready - in God's perfect time.

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Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. (Daniel 10:12 NKJV)

Parent-Child-Child-Parent

When I was still a school teacher, one important lesson I have learned is that children's problems are their problems, not their parents'. Adults may support the young ones just to make sure they know how to resolve issues but not to fight their fight at a level they don't even want to go.

I've seen students argue and misunderstand each other but are still friends and playmates the next day. I've also seen parents trying to intervene with them. They would defend them to the point of ending up fighting with their children's friends' parent/s.

Because these parents hurt each other verbally, the school year (academic year) have already ended but their anger and hatred at each other have not. And you're right... their children, who in the first place were the reason why they added a name on their list of enemies, are friends.

It's alright to defend our children - they are ours. We love them. They deserve our protection. But we should know when to and when not to step in, how to step in and when to step out of the situation.

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Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
-Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

Generous Eye

The Ride

On my way to church with my twin daughters our bus stopped at the mall to pick up passengers. One by one they stepped onto the doorway. The last passenger who went in stopped to tell something to the driver. Her companions, a child and a young adult, went straight to the back. She was asking the driver to let her in without a fare card (that is, bus ticket) because she lost it in the mall.

Shortly after she finished her statements, the driver immediately said, "Ma'am, if you don't have a ticket, you need to exit the bus." The lady then repeated her story. This time with a little but higher tone.

Then it became a cycle. She talks. He talks back. It was like listening to a student of a music lessons repeatedly singing the same line of a song that gets higher everytime.

I felt the driver's urge to stop the argument when he said, "If you keep raising your voice, I will keep raising my voice. You don't have a ticket, you need to exit the bus."


The Game Changer

It was then that a passenger near the driver, a young man, approached the ticket vending machine, inserted some coin, get the ticket and gave it to the lady. The driver went back to his seat and started the bus.


The Never-ending Story

He wasn't polite at all when he first ask her to exit the bus but hey, that's the rule. You want to ride a bus, you need a ticket. With the help from a stranger, she had one but the argument was not settled. She called to report the driver. He called to have a supervisor meet him at the terminal so he can report the incident.

In fact, while we were waiting for our next bus I can still see them arguing right where we got off.


The Generous Eyes

I admire the young man's attempt to be part of the solution to stop something that might go somewhere but have us all stuck to where we are. It somehow demonstrated what Proverbs 22:9 says: He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor. (NKJV)

I remember reading an article when I was in grade school that says, "In settling an argument, it's not always a question of who's right and who's wrong but 'Who loves more?'" In this case none of them does. Although someone from the spectators stepped up and demonstrated love. That may not be his exact intension but from where I was, that's how I saw it.


The Aftermath

Two days after this incident, I was revisited by this passage: Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:2 NKJV)

I remember being in so much hurry that night that I shut my eyes from being generous. What that young man did will always remain an inspiration to me - to have a generous eye.

To have a generous eye is to open one's eyes to what is going on and to do the best one can to help make the situation better.

Judgment is an option but in some situation, it doesn't help anyone move forward specially when mercy is what was really needed.

For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13 NKJV)

What Will They Find Out When They Search For Your Name?

Google has this very interesting feature - "Me On The Web" which allows its users to know what people see when they search for their name on the internet. I gave it a try and stumbled on a blog post about me by one of my former students.

After reading the blog post, I thought to myself, "Those were the best days of my career as a teacher." It made me look back and remembered how God used me in the past. At some point I began assessing how I was doing in the present.

My journey to become a teacher was never easy. An important person in my life was against it but I pursued. One reason I did is that teaching is one of the many professions that don't just give a person a career but also the ability to touch others' lives.

Now that I have chosen to let go of what I fought for, do I regret choosing a different path? No, because I know God planned it all along. I am in Canada partly because I was a teacher when I was in the Philippines. All that's left for me to do is to make sure God can still use me in His own way.

Joel Osteen mentioned, "Your best days are not behind you. They're in front of you." in his book, Daily Readings from Become A Better You. I know God has a better day for me than those I had in the past.

My future looks brighter because my God takes care of it.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV).

I can do better than my best days in the past because I have a God who enables me.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4:13, NKJV)

The Treasures of Darkness

While reading the Bible, I got curious about this "treasures of darkness" mentioned in Isaiah 45:3.

I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. (Isaiah 45:3, NKJV)

Reading some references, I was enlightened that the treasures mentioned here are not "dark treasures" but treasures that are hidden in the dark until they are found and brought to light.

Literally, treasures of darkness are the riches that no one has found yet. This could be diamonds, gold and silver which are yet to be found and discovered.

It may also be interpreted spiritually. One may not know he can preach the Word of God (with clarity and anointing) until the Lord Himself called him and give him the task. Same thing is true with the gifts of prophesying, interpretation of tongues, dreams, etc.

May God reveal your hidden treasures.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29, NKJV)

Who's Your Audience?

Audience matter. It's as simple as addressing Americans in a speech using the English language, not Chinese or Tagalog (Filipino language).

Children love to show their parents what they can do and they would usually wait for an appreciation afterwards. Their parents are their audience.

As a teacher, there were too many moments I could never forget. One of which is the first CAT (Citizen Army Training) Graduation I have ever participated at as a teacher.

One CAT officer was crying. It's hard not to notice him because he was atbthe front line and he was the only one moving as he wipe his tears. Not to mention they (CAT officers) are supposed to show themselves as tough and ones in command (as in soldiers with high ranks).

This sixteen-year old boy, when asked by his adviser why he was crying, answered, "Because my mom called and she said she can't make it today."

At a glance one may conclude that his sentiments are too childish. Digging deeper, there's something more - no one's there to witness what he can and will do.

What can be more frustrating than preparing yourself for a performance then find out that on the day of the show, no one will watch and your co-performers did not show up?

Parents, be your children's audience. The moments when they insist to go with you no matter where you go would soon end. Then a time would come when your joy is to be visited by them every once in a while when they have their own families or living their own lives.

May we all act as children of God, who would not go anywhere He is not with us.

Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here..." (Exodus 33:15, NKJV)

No Lies

"In marriage, never stop doing good. Never lie. Lies invite anger and leads to separation. Never play with temptation. It will push you away from God's presence."

This was last Sunday's preacher's introduction. It was sharp and straight to the point. It helped a lot with my decision to listen eagerly to the end of the preaching.

More than just listening, I had this conviction that "lie" is not just about something that opposes the truth. Even the inability to tell things that the other party should know is a "lie".

Temptation is not a sin. Giving in to it is. Playing with it (meaning, staying close to temptation, believing that you're strong enough to not fall to it) will push you away from God's presence.

Wow! What a standard. I wonder if separation of married couples would still be necessary if everyone apply this... never stop doing good (for your partner); never lie; and never play with temptation.

Saved

There is no battle so tough that God cannot deliver you from. Just call on His name.

"I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies." (Psalm 18:3, NKJV)

Profitable For Nothing

Do not give in to pride.
Ask the Holy Spirit to break it from your system.
Hear God's words.
Follow the path He prepared.
Serve and worship Him alone.

Thus says the Lord : ‘In this manner I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who follow the dictates of their hearts, and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing. (Jeremiah 13:9-10 NKJV)

obedient as Him

So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” (John 18:11 NKJV)

Jesus Christ Himself unconditionally surrendered to God's will. Being His servant, isn't it just right to do the same?  He could have let Peter fight for Him while He tries to escape but He did not. Jesus knew the exact meaning of Jeremiah 29:11.

I remember Pastor Bong Gonzales' teaching on obedience:

"It is easy to obey when what you're asked to do is something of your advantage. The real test of obedience is finding yourself still doing what you were asked to do even if it is against your will provided that you are not disobeying God."

It is sometimes hard to let ourselves just obey God and do His will especially when  it is against our own definition of pleasure but I want to be as obedient as Jesus Christ... confident that no matter what happens along the way, the end of the journey is always the sweetest victory.

Back To Dance Ministry

Eight weeks before Fathers' Day this year, my wife gave birth to our third princess. It was a bit different than that of her first. I was more relaxed and confident that things will turn out fine. Perhaps the elimination of unknowns in giving birth helped a lot.

About two hours after they told us my wife's next, a nurse came in to let us know that someone had an emergency and needed immediate attention so we have to wait until that person's done.

I'm fine with waiting but that day, I experienced the "not-so-good" part of waiting - it gave me a lot of time to consider "what if's"... What if something go wrong? What if my child has abnormalities? What if things weren't how we expected it to be?

I was on my chair, with what-if's part of waiting when I was literally reminded of this passage from the Bible:

"You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off." (Psalms 139:2, NKJV)

These words from God calmed me and made me start considering His plans and forget about what-if's. This experience reminded me to focus more on God's promises, plans and instructions, less on precautions that say otherwise.

Today, about three years after my twin daughters outgrew the habit of being carried while we dance before they sleep, I'm back to "dance ministry" with the newest addition to the family and I'm loving it.