WAITING TIME

It’s been three months now since I’m in the attitude of "waiting", waiting for God’s "go" signal for a lot things…Those people close to me, have known me to be a person who worries a lot, lacks patience and hates waiting. I am amenable of that - that’s my weakness. It is my daily prayer is that God will meet me in this "weakness" for His grace to increase in me...Yes Lord!

In one of my times of reflection after I did my daily routine of feeding our dogs, I just got this impression of writing a blog on "waiting" and even discovering on what His Word teaches about this hard subject. So, this blog you're reading right now is in response to that still-small-voice. But to tell you, it took me three days after that impression before I started writing this blog. Hmmm...sometimes I realize that I let God "wait" on me also! HAHA! nahhh. joking.

In searching for a key verse for this blog, I came across Psalm 27:14 (emphasis mine) that says:  

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." 

Such emphasis on the phrase "wait for the LORD" that it was mentioned twice in this verse.

Just a little bit of the context of Psalm 27, This psalm is written by King David in his deliverance he had from the sword of the giant, when Abishai succoured him. (2 Samuel 21:16-17). I will not get into the details of this particular Psalm/song. But basically this is a song of deliverance written and sang by King David. I can just imagine his feelings in praying this song on the context of war...those times when the reality of facing your opponents who tend to have better armors, thousands of men in the battalion, and as King David defeated a "giant". In life, we face our different "realities", it can symbolize our doubts, fears and impatience that hinder us from "waiting for the LORD".

One of the things that make "waiting for the LORD" so hard and stressful is that we sometimes want our own timeline...we dictate, we impose, we want things and circumstances to come right away in front of us instead on really waiting for the LORD in full trust and surrender. It is not easy...

I do believe that in my journey of "waiting for the LORD" especially during this chapter of my life...looking for a job, a teaching job. I never imagined how hard it is to look for a job!!! Feelings of pressure that my colleagues are already employed and are earning. When this random thoughts come into my mind...I slowly let God's presence minister to me and let Him remind me of those times when I worry a lot and grow impatient but then in the end...I realized that He did not allow and give things right away for a lot of purposes - those purposes that I did not see during those times of worrying. Ohhhhh...those times!!

Believe it or not, I encounter a lot of "testings" of waiting and exercising my patience E V E R Y D A Y, may it be in waiting for a cab, in the resto waiting for your meal to arrive...and many more! So. help. me. God.

No matter how shot or long the waiting time that God is giving us...let us always ask the Holy Spirit to teach us to wait in trust and surrender. I want to end this blog with the Amplified Bible version of Psalm 27:14:

"Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord."

Let's praise God while we're waiting!

MIYERKULES TI KURKUROS

I decided to wake up early today and attend a mass at Baguio Cathedral. As most of us, especially Roman Catholics know that today marks the start of Lenten Season - 40 days and 6 Sundays leading to Easter (Resurrection) Sunday. One of the indicators that it is Lent is when you see people having ash marks of cross in their foreheads. 

By the way, I am not a Roman Catholic but as I realize the beauty of some (though I don't agree in everything they do) of the "symbolisms" that they use and practice, I start to appreciate them especially that one of my spiritual temperament is "traditionalist" this classification is for people who connects to God the most in symbols, liturgy, and sacraments. It is important to acknowledge that not everyone have this particular spiritual temperament (some are contemplative,enthusiast,naturalist,activists,caregiver, ascetic, sensate and intellectual).To discover your spiritual temperament, click this link (http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Features/Magazine/2011/nine-spiritual-temperaments.aspx).

Why use ashes on Ash Wednesday? Ashes is an outward sign/symbolism of our sorrow,human morality and repentance for sins. It is a reminder that "...for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:9 NIV). These ashes are traditionally from the burned palm leaves from last year's Palm Sunday celebration. Let us remember that this practice is no magical, this is done for the purpose of symbolism.

As the priest placed his thumb to place an ash mark of cross on my forehead, I started to reflect on the  fact that we have a Creator, who created us from dust, breathed in us His Holy Spirit of life, and loved us even to the point that he gave His Son, Jesus for us. In our brokenness, He chose to take our brokenness for us to be made whole. How beautiful reading the writings of Apostle Paul when he said “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’” (Galatians 3:13). 

Today, Ash Wednesday is celebrated in masses and services by churches. Whether it is letting the ministers put ash marks of cross in their foreheads or in other churches, they prefer it in their palms. Still, with or without ash mark of crosses, more than this "physical" symbols, let us see the "spiritual" relevance of this practice.

Lent is all about Jesus who became one of us and include us in His life,death and resurrection. He did all of these because of His unconditional love for all humanity. Hallelujah! 

This Lenten Season, let us take this opportunity to pause, reflect, pray, devote, retreat, rest and fast as we commemorate the beauty of this Life that we have in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

"Miyerkules Ti Kurkuros" - is the Ilocano translation for Ash Wednesday.

RHYTHMS OF GRACE

During this cold, 11 degrees celsius, evening that I decided to rename my blogsite with "Rhythms of Grace". I just got strucked with The Message bible translation of Eugene H. Peterson of Matthew 11:28-30. Oh, I just can hear Jesus words speaking to me...

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (The Message - emphasis mine)

How beautiful those words are! Penetrates to the deepest of my spirit...I just need this right now!

May may life continue to make melodies,harmonies,songs, hymns and music of unforced rhythms of grace...as I continue to journey with Abba, Jesus and Holy Spirit. Walking step-by-step. Remaining in His love. Enjoying the Present Moment. Being led. Eyes opened to see more. Lifting my hands to the heavens. Being the hands and feet of Jesus. Doing everything in love...

H E A D - what I am thinking right now.

Job-searching.

H E A R T - what I feel.

I'm feeling' moody.

H A N D S - what I find doing.

Working and doing the things that a teacher does.

Hey! Live the abundant life we have in Jesus!!! 

SAPSAPU

2015 has been another year of abundant blessings for me and my family. Everything that I prayed for, desired and believed was fulfilled.With this, I want to post my very first blog for 2016 by counting the blessings that I have received the past year. May this be a form of thanksgiving for God's faithfulness and goodness:

• Graduated from my degree. 
• Awarded as the "Pre school Best Student Teacher of the Year"
• Graduated as  Cum Laude.
• Participated in the ministry events of Odyssey in Christ.
• Passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).
• Attended various events in our church including our annual Worship Festival. 
• Enjoyed some of the christian concerts that I attended with my mom and dad (Planetshakers and Hillsong Worship).
• Learned how to drive! 
• Traveled to a lot of beautiful places - will post a separate blog for this soon.
• And to receive the best and memorable gift for my 21st birthday.**I am sharing it with you below**

These are just some of the highlights of my 2015. Bullets are not enough to enumerate them all, but these are just the highlights. Well, you can borrow my journal and read through the pages for a moredetailed, day-to-day record of God's blessings! hehe.

What about you...have you taken some time to "count your blessings and name them one by one...count your many blessings and see what God has done..."? If you haven't done it yet, it's not yet too late to take this very moment to just remember, reflect and, take a rewind of the things that God has blessed you with last year. Close your eyes and don't forget to end it with a simple prayer of thanksgiving! Let us start the year with thanksgiving in our hearts!!!

You might be wondering with the title of this blog - "SAPSAPU". Actually this has something to do with the best and memorable gift that I've received for my 21st birthday. It's not a treat, a gadget, not even a money...nahhhh! It is about a special prayer of blessing (with the laying of hands) of my lola Saling. Early in the morning of my birthday, since we were in Tarlac that time, my lola(grandmother) greeted me a happy birthday but immediately I felt like asking her to speak blessings on me. Immediately, she held my hands and started to bless me using our dialect(ilocano). She blessed me with good health and for all of my success in life especially in finding a job.

Still, I have not mentioned about the title - "SAPSAPU"! hehe! Here it is, last Christmas we went to visit lola again in Victoria, Tarlac. This time, I presented to apply "SAPSAPU" (it is an ilocano term for "massaging oil") and massage lola Saling as an act of me saying "thank you" to her for blessing me on my birthday. Now, as long as I have the opportunity to apply "SAPSAPU" and give lola a massage, I will.

I am reminded of the story in Mark 14:1-11 where a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard, broke the jar and started to anoint Jesus. This is a beautiful picture of service and offering someone with such adoration and high appreciation.

What do you think can you do to show your deep love and high appreciation for someone this year?

Have a year with a heightened sense of God's presence and fullness in our journey this 2016!!!

WHOA!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." -Philippians 4:6

I just wanna share a brief testimony of God's goodness. So here it is...(be ready to say "whoaaa!" with me)

Honestly, It's been almost three months of waiting for the result of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) that I took last September 27,2015. Most of the time, I pray. I unceasingly pray to God: "Lord, You know the desires of my heart...I wanna pass the LET." Whenever I wake up,before I sleep...in the middle of the day or night,every minute, every second...even as I wash the dishes or whatever I do, I offer a prayer - spoken and unspoken. I am a worrier...impatient. anxious. I get so stressed with a lot of "ifs" and thoughts of "How if I fail the board exam?". That is my weakness.But I know that my God is very personal that He even lives inside of me, He knows our everything! And He loves to be with us in times of doubt,fear and disbelief. How awesome it is that God,despite of my lack of trust in Him...remains to be gracious,loving,faithful and so on.Whoa!

He has given me a lot of encouragements and affirmations to always remind me to wait and TO HOLD ON TO HIM. He has used people,scripture, signages/posters and even songs to minister/speak to me. God is indeed moving!!

As the day of releasing the results drew closer, my heart literally beats faster and faster to the point that whenever the fan page of PRC posts something, I feel like having a minor heart attack! Hahaha! It was actually postponed many times. So, I got bored...but yesterday, Instead of being worried (to the maximum level),I decided to attend Jesus Reigns Celebration (a simultaneous worship gathering of 82 provinces here in the Philippines) in Melvin Jones grounds. I never expected to meet my high school friend Narie there. As the worship went by, leading to the holy communion...My phone vibrated with messages of "congratulations", "you passed" and other greetings! I don't know how to express my feelings that time. I was literally speechless!! But I immediately called my mom to verify my name in the website (since I have no internet connection) and tadaaaaah! My name was really there! Whew!

Since, at that moment...we are about to partake of the holy communion, I set aside my phone...Enjoying the "present moment" to just remember and thank my Savior and Lord for His great blessing. What a memorable time to be at His Table. Whoooooa.

My mom called and resquested me to come home right away to celebrate my success with my family. I bought ice cream and they ordered pizza. (*insert the adrenaline rush of looking for a cab here*) When I got home, we lifted our unending thanksgivingin prayer. Hallelu Yah!!

I ended the day last night by lighting a candle in my room and just offering a silent thanksgiving and adoration to Abba,Jesus and Holy Spirit. Amen!

Thanks to my family,my prayer partners,encouragers and those who sent some greetings! Blessings to you all as well! - you are all my inspiration!

H E A D - what I am thinking right now.

Birthday. Oathtaking. Testimonial Dinner. Holiday trips. Christmas parties. Starbucks cheer party. Christmas bazzars. Advent. Job hunting/work opportunities.

H E A R T - what I feel.

I'm feelin' happy. thankful. amazed. I AM FEELING THE MOMENT!

H A N D S - what I find doing. 

I am starting to finish this Christmas Party program for our church this year. I so love doing this!

JUSTINE PAOLO G, PARCASIO
Professional Teacher

To God be all the praise,honor and glory! Amen!

EAGLE

"Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV

This verse just started to minister to me tonight...and yes, we get tired and worn-out of things every now and then. May that be physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. But what is good about this verse is that it doesn't stop there...it continues with "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength..." (v. 31a). How assuring and comforting it is that no matter how much heavy our baggage that we carry, we can put our full hope in the LORD...who, Himself can feel what we can feel and even knows exactly how heavy and hard the problems,trials and issues that we have. As Jesus, who is both God and Man, came to be here with us and be like us in our "humanity" even to the point of death on the old-rugged cross.He carried our EVERYTHING - pains, problems, issues, brokenness, sin, infirmities, sickness, evil, hurts, flesh...our everything.

Like a mighty eagle, spread your wings...fly higher...being assured that it is the strength of Jesus that we hold on to...

 H E A D - what I am thinking right now.

I am anxious about things (and I must confess, I am a worrier but I believe that God is helping me with this)...one of the things that bothers me is the result of my Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). It is expected to be released in November 27,2015...Oh! how hard it is to W A I T in confidence!!!! As I always say...I will wait in expectancy!

H E A R T - what I feel.

I'm feelin' sad...(sadness that can be rooted with being) guilty of the things that I am expected be doing but I fail to do.

H A N D S - what I find doing.

 I just want to have a cup of hot venti-sized hibiscus tea at Starbucks and just be alone with my bible and journal. And maybe answer the questionnaire that I need to accomplish ASAP. I am planning to do these tomorrow.

HEAD. HEART. HANDS.

Hey! How are you guys?

I have a lot of things in my THOUGHTS,things that I FEEL, and things that I wanna DO as of this very moment that are needed to be expressed thru writing.

By the way, I am changing my manner of writing...I came with these three basic themes:

• HEAD - what I am thinking.
• HEART - what I feel.
• HANDS - what I find doing. 

...you will definitely see these themes always.

Aside from that, I find it helpful to express myself using the languages that I could understand and speak - english,filipino and ilocano. Don't worry...I will be translating some for those who can't understand filipino and ilocano.

I am not really a writer. I'm not good in grammar. I'm bad in vocabulary. BUT, I am trying....

bare with me...
teach me...
journey with me...

Thank you!