The beauty of snow.
White, powdery, fresh.
A blanket I'd cover myself in
If it weren't for the cold and watery slush.
Snow man -
I made you
With your leafy limbs and stony eyes.
You stand to show me my frailty,
As you melt in the sun.
I'm happy today
Basking in the rays
Of the sun that's as bright
As a mirror blinding me with its light.
Farewell. It was a pleasure to meet you.
I'll see you again one day.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Out of the Depths.
New favorite song from Sovereign Grace's Psalms CD.
Out of the Depths
by Bob Kauflin
Verse 1
Out of the depths, O Lord, I cry to You.
When I am tempted to despair.
Though I might fail to trust Your promises,
You never fail to hear my prayer.
And if you judged my sin,
I'd never stand again,
But I see mercy in Your hands.
Chorus
So more than watchmen for the morning,
I will wait for You, my God.
When my fears come with no warning,
in Your Word I'll put my trust.
When the harvest time is over and I still see no fruit,
I will wait, I will wait for You.
Verse 2
The secret mysteries belong to You.
We only know what You reveal.
And all my questions that are unresolved
Don't change the wisdom of Your will.
In every trial and loss my hope is in the cross
Where your compassions never fail.
Out of the Depths
by Bob Kauflin
Verse 1
Out of the depths, O Lord, I cry to You.
When I am tempted to despair.
Though I might fail to trust Your promises,
You never fail to hear my prayer.
And if you judged my sin,
I'd never stand again,
But I see mercy in Your hands.
Chorus
So more than watchmen for the morning,
I will wait for You, my God.
When my fears come with no warning,
in Your Word I'll put my trust.
When the harvest time is over and I still see no fruit,
I will wait, I will wait for You.
Verse 2
The secret mysteries belong to You.
We only know what You reveal.
And all my questions that are unresolved
Don't change the wisdom of Your will.
In every trial and loss my hope is in the cross
Where your compassions never fail.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Roses have no scent: Musings from my front lawn.
"Stop and smell the roses," they always say. So I did that today. But I couldn't really smell anything. Maybe it's because I have a slight cold. But I took some deep breaths, and still, nothing. So I moved on to the next flowers - sampaguita - a quite pungeunt smell. I walked around the garden in my front yard and smelled the flowers. I don't think I've ever done that before, even after living at this house for 20 years of my life. Maybe I have, during those childhood days when I used to turn the small front-yard garden into a tropical rainforest, where behind each bush rustling, there was a tiger or a zebra or an elephant. But those days are gone now.
Anyways, I sat on my front lawn for the first time in over a year. One or two cars passed by, but it wasn't even really on my street. There were no people walking around. I guess that's how it is in the middle of the day in the suburbs. I could hear the gentle trickle of my neighbor's man-made waterfall, or was that just a hose leaking? The light and airy breeze flowed through the windchimes, making an undistinguished melody. I could hear the faraway sound of the freeway and the whizz of a motorcycle, or maybe that was some kind of gardening tool? A lawnmower to keep the grass cut and straight. Front lawns have to be maintained in the suburbs. Otherwise, the city complains.
I miss the sound of the tricycles, the motorcycles, the jipneys that whizz by. I miss the sound of my titas cooking, washing, and laughing. I miss the delicious food, the fresh vegetables and fruits, papayas just picked from our backyard, the fresh meat just killed that day. I miss the smell of burning trash and the sound of roosters crowing at daybreak. I miss the chicks that chirp and hide behind the mother hen. I miss the ducks who wander. I miss the bark of the dogs and the poor three-legged dog that watches out for strangers. I miss the constant flow of people who come and eat, taking a merienda, to just sit and chat for awhile. I miss the slow pace of life - the time to talk and kuwento, time to listen, and play cards. listening to the lives of my family, the happy, the masaya days of their youth, and the hardship of just trying to survive in a land where $5/day is the normal income.
I miss the Philippines.
Anyways, I sat on my front lawn for the first time in over a year. One or two cars passed by, but it wasn't even really on my street. There were no people walking around. I guess that's how it is in the middle of the day in the suburbs. I could hear the gentle trickle of my neighbor's man-made waterfall, or was that just a hose leaking? The light and airy breeze flowed through the windchimes, making an undistinguished melody. I could hear the faraway sound of the freeway and the whizz of a motorcycle, or maybe that was some kind of gardening tool? A lawnmower to keep the grass cut and straight. Front lawns have to be maintained in the suburbs. Otherwise, the city complains.
I miss the sound of the tricycles, the motorcycles, the jipneys that whizz by. I miss the sound of my titas cooking, washing, and laughing. I miss the delicious food, the fresh vegetables and fruits, papayas just picked from our backyard, the fresh meat just killed that day. I miss the smell of burning trash and the sound of roosters crowing at daybreak. I miss the chicks that chirp and hide behind the mother hen. I miss the ducks who wander. I miss the bark of the dogs and the poor three-legged dog that watches out for strangers. I miss the constant flow of people who come and eat, taking a merienda, to just sit and chat for awhile. I miss the slow pace of life - the time to talk and kuwento, time to listen, and play cards. listening to the lives of my family, the happy, the masaya days of their youth, and the hardship of just trying to survive in a land where $5/day is the normal income.
I miss the Philippines.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Rediscovering the Joy of Reading, especially Jane Austen
"Because they neither flattered herself nor her children, she could not believe them good-natured; and because they were fond of reading, she fancied them satirical: perhaps without exactly knowing what it was to be satirical; but that did not signify."
~Sense and Sensibility, Vol. 2, Chapter XIV, pg. 201.
This satirical self-consciousness is one of the reasons why I have had such an enjoyable time reading Sense and Sensibility. Although I had read Pride and Prejudice in high school, I don't think I understood Austen's wit and satire, which now makes me laugh out loud, making my family give me strange stares. I think I'm also drawn to her protagonists, who I, along with so many others, feel like we can relate to.
It now makes sense why so many people love her. I think Jane Austen brings the world together. haha.
I also like how Austen upholds virtue, while making a mockery of pride, foolishness, emotionalism, and impropriety.
It's quite refreshing reading well-written satirical fiction. And she "keeps it real" without having to indulge in crude sensuality. It's all good, clean fun.
An article on Crosswalk talks about how Austen's sense of right and wrong which stemmed from her faith is what draws many people in.
http://www.crosswalk.com/books/11552212/
The fact that people are drawn to her writing, I believe, shows how people innately have a higher sense of morality, attributing to a higher moral order.
After not having read a work of fiction for a semester since I graduated, and after not having read a work of fiction for fun since I don't even remember, it's quite exciting being able to enjoy fiction again and being able to choose what I want to read, instead of forcing myself to analyze a piece of literature for a class.
Oh, Reading! How I've missed you! It's like seeing a long-lost friend again. :)
(These last two posts have shown the extent of my English-major nerdiness...haha)
~Sense and Sensibility, Vol. 2, Chapter XIV, pg. 201.
This satirical self-consciousness is one of the reasons why I have had such an enjoyable time reading Sense and Sensibility. Although I had read Pride and Prejudice in high school, I don't think I understood Austen's wit and satire, which now makes me laugh out loud, making my family give me strange stares. I think I'm also drawn to her protagonists, who I, along with so many others, feel like we can relate to.
It now makes sense why so many people love her. I think Jane Austen brings the world together. haha.
I also like how Austen upholds virtue, while making a mockery of pride, foolishness, emotionalism, and impropriety.
It's quite refreshing reading well-written satirical fiction. And she "keeps it real" without having to indulge in crude sensuality. It's all good, clean fun.
An article on Crosswalk talks about how Austen's sense of right and wrong which stemmed from her faith is what draws many people in.
http://www.crosswalk.com/books/11552212/
The fact that people are drawn to her writing, I believe, shows how people innately have a higher sense of morality, attributing to a higher moral order.
After not having read a work of fiction for a semester since I graduated, and after not having read a work of fiction for fun since I don't even remember, it's quite exciting being able to enjoy fiction again and being able to choose what I want to read, instead of forcing myself to analyze a piece of literature for a class.
Oh, Reading! How I've missed you! It's like seeing a long-lost friend again. :)
(These last two posts have shown the extent of my English-major nerdiness...haha)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Compound Gerunds...How Many Can I Use in One Entry?
i am such an english nerd. haha.
GERUND PHRASE
Gerunds, verbals that end in -ing and that act as nouns, frequently are associated with modifiers and complements in a gerund phrase. These phrases function as units and can do anything that a noun can do. Notice that other phrases, especially prepositional phrases, are frequently part of the gerund phrase.
Cramming for tests is not a good study strategy. [gerund phrase as subject]
John enjoyed swimming in the lake after dark. [gerund phrase as object]
I'm really not interested in studying biochemistry for the rest of my life. [gerund phrase as object of the preposition in ]
(http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/phrases.htm#participle)
How do I describe my first semester at seminary? It's definitely been:
life-challenging
mind-stretching
heart-wrenching
soul-searching
God-wrestling
love-filling
Spirit-experiencing
ministry-giving
grace-receiving
community-building
direction-changing
fear-facing
music-making
spontaneous-singing
joy-fulfilling
vision-adjusting
Truth-learning
Gospel-centering
season-grieving
present-embracing
future-surrendering
motivation-processing.
Christ-praising.
The more I learn about God, the more I realize how much I don't understand, and how His grace is truly sufficient in my weakness.
GERUND PHRASE
Gerunds, verbals that end in -ing and that act as nouns, frequently are associated with modifiers and complements in a gerund phrase. These phrases function as units and can do anything that a noun can do. Notice that other phrases, especially prepositional phrases, are frequently part of the gerund phrase.
Cramming for tests is not a good study strategy. [gerund phrase as subject]
John enjoyed swimming in the lake after dark. [gerund phrase as object]
I'm really not interested in studying biochemistry for the rest of my life. [gerund phrase as object of the preposition in ]
(http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/phrases.htm#participle)
How do I describe my first semester at seminary? It's definitely been:
life-challenging
mind-stretching
heart-wrenching
soul-searching
God-wrestling
love-filling
Spirit-experiencing
ministry-giving
grace-receiving
community-building
direction-changing
fear-facing
music-making
spontaneous-singing
joy-fulfilling
vision-adjusting
Truth-learning
Gospel-centering
season-grieving
present-embracing
future-surrendering
motivation-processing.
Christ-praising.
The more I learn about God, the more I realize how much I don't understand, and how His grace is truly sufficient in my weakness.
Monday, December 1, 2008
O Heart Bereaved and Lonely
So I discovered another group of musicians who put old, unfamiliar hymns to modern music called Indelible Grace Music from one of my friend's facebooks.
I downloaded their latest album, "Wake Thy Slumbering Children."
It's such a good album! Amazing lyrics and sweet music. I'm a big fan.
I like all of the songs, and it's hard for me to decide which is my favorite right now, but here is one of the songs I thought had beautiful lyrics.
It's a hymn written by Fanny Crosby called "O Heart Bereaved and Lonely." Fanny Crosby is one of the greatest hymn writers. She wrote familiar hymns such as "Blessed Assurance," "To God Be the Glory," and "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home."
"Fanny Crosby was probably the most prolific hymnist in history. Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blindness, she said:
It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.
In her lifetime, Fanny Crosby was one of the best known women in the United States. To this day, the vast majority of American hymnals contain her work."
(http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/c/r/o/crosby_fj.htm)
Wow! What an inspiration! This lady is one of my heroes. :)
O Heart Bereaved And Lonely
1. O heart bereaved and lonely,
Whose brightest dreams have fled
Whose hopes like summer roses,
Are withered crushed and dead
Though link by link be broken,
And tears unseen may fall
Look up amid thy sorrow,
To Him who knows it all
2. O cling to thy Redeemer,
Thy Savior, Brother, Friend
Believe and trust His promise,
To keep you till the end
O watch and wait with patience,
And question all you will
His arms of love and mercy,
Are round about thee still
3. Look up, the clouds are breaking,
The storm will soon be o'er
And thou shall reach the haven,
Where sorrows are no more
Look up, be not discouraged;
Trust on, whate'er befall
Remember, O remember,
Thy Savior knows it all
I downloaded their latest album, "Wake Thy Slumbering Children."
It's such a good album! Amazing lyrics and sweet music. I'm a big fan.
I like all of the songs, and it's hard for me to decide which is my favorite right now, but here is one of the songs I thought had beautiful lyrics.
It's a hymn written by Fanny Crosby called "O Heart Bereaved and Lonely." Fanny Crosby is one of the greatest hymn writers. She wrote familiar hymns such as "Blessed Assurance," "To God Be the Glory," and "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home."
"Fanny Crosby was probably the most prolific hymnist in history. Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blindness, she said:
It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.
In her lifetime, Fanny Crosby was one of the best known women in the United States. To this day, the vast majority of American hymnals contain her work."
(http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/c/r/o/crosby_fj.htm)
Wow! What an inspiration! This lady is one of my heroes. :)
O Heart Bereaved And Lonely
1. O heart bereaved and lonely,
Whose brightest dreams have fled
Whose hopes like summer roses,
Are withered crushed and dead
Though link by link be broken,
And tears unseen may fall
Look up amid thy sorrow,
To Him who knows it all
2. O cling to thy Redeemer,
Thy Savior, Brother, Friend
Believe and trust His promise,
To keep you till the end
O watch and wait with patience,
And question all you will
His arms of love and mercy,
Are round about thee still
3. Look up, the clouds are breaking,
The storm will soon be o'er
And thou shall reach the haven,
Where sorrows are no more
Look up, be not discouraged;
Trust on, whate'er befall
Remember, O remember,
Thy Savior knows it all
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
His Eye Is On the Sparrow
I love this hymn.
Why should I feel discouraged,
why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
"Let not your heart be troubled,"
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth,
but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted,
whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him,
from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
After praying and processing in the car this past weekend - seeing the depth of the ways I try to take control, instead of surrendering my life to God - I started singing this song.
Why should I feel discouraged,
why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
"Let not your heart be troubled,"
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth,
but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted,
whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him,
from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
After praying and processing in the car this past weekend - seeing the depth of the ways I try to take control, instead of surrendering my life to God - I started singing this song.
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