When I was 12 years old, I had this rival in my territory (basically a 446 sq.m. house and lot). I could rule my mom and dad’s land except. . .
except. . .
Rooster attacks a little kid
. . . at the far end of the garden (of dirt, banana and ipil ipil trees) lived “The Great Rooster”. Many times my nannies thanked him because he strikes fear so ‘I do not go out and play at my friend’s house. The Rooster would flex its chest over my own territory. When I reclaim my place, he would power-peck and flying-scratch everyone who challenges him, especially me. This rooster also had some “chicks” and would lay very large eggs – double and sometimes triple yolk. Those would be our breakfast. I would hold aluminum “swords” – scraps from broken windows to challenge his authority. Continue reading →
“I am the Lord, there is no other. I say to the mountains be thrown to the sea. I calm the storms and cause lightning to flash the skies. I am your Creator, the Ancient of Days. I created you in your mother’s womb.
Once upon a time a man lived in a cramped apartment. He had a wife and 2 kids and a 2000 square foot property. It is pretty big considering that that it was a 3 bedroom house with a wide lawn. Unfortunately, it didn’t feel so because the signs of the accumulated 30 years of living, was cramped all over the living area, dining and even the bedrooms. Items that he and his wife have collected lined up the front yard. Unfinished projects he hoped to finish lined his storage and stood at the master bedroom floor.
Clutter of our Lives
One day, a childhood friend from the Philippines called to ask a favor. He and his sister was going to stay over for a two-week vacation and use their place to crash. It wasn’t very comfortable but because of the friendship it was hard to say no.
“Hey you can mess up your life as bad as you want. That will not intimidate me from loving you. I am God, I am the master of the most impossible turn around. I enjoy working on especially hard circumstances while you rest on my lap. You are a champion, kiddo!”
Flow of Freshness in your life
“Because no matter how bad you think you’ve become, you will always be my son, and I will be proud of who you are what the steps you are making to be better. I know the great plans I have for you. Plans of a delightful future and an indescribably beautiful. Who do you think gave the ideas to Walt on all the happily ever after Disney endings. You haven’t seen the best yet, my son so you relax and trust me. I will bring you there. Rest in My presence.”
How to Hurt Less after a Loss (of Love) or Why my first loss didn’t hurt as it should
She came back and saw me. Small talk. Then she dropped the nuclear. It came with fire. It explodes! I squinted through the smoke.
After a few seconds, I check for damage. I was unhurt. But how?
It’s not me like me. I remember once during 2008 recession when my company let me go. That was a rejection bomb. By the way, the stronghold spirits operating in my life is the Spirit of Rejection and Spirit of Fear. They have full control. So when my boss spoke the word, it felt like the whole sky turned black and dark all of a sudden. A heaviness fell over my heart and a dagger plunged deep into my soul. Ouch!! As much as I want to look casual and fine, I can’t. I looked broken and hurt. That is the power of a stronghold.
The Bomb of Rejection
But this was a major bomb. It was a nuclear. And it was my first hopeful relationship. But why was I unscathed? I may be wrong, but this is why I didn’t hurt as much as I should from this loss.
Disclaimer: This is not reality as I may still be in denial. But this is as honest as I could on what my perspective looks like.
I was worshiping here in Bacolod and just allow God to speak.
God poured out His heart for me and assured me of His presence in my life. He was saying “this ride looks crazy as it is Ian. And you haven’t even started yet. I have to show you many things. I have a lot in store for you.” I just felt so blessed, to be chosen of God. The word in Psalms 23 kept running back in my mind: “surely goodness and mercy will keep running after you all the days of your life and I will thrive and never leave the presence of God every day of my life.” I can feel that it isn’t the place that will prosper me. Even Dubai, the US or Australia which are prosperous nations are nothing to compare with how I bless you. Imagine it, God will bless you just because you step onto their place – it is you who command the blessing to them. In Jesus, the blessings of Abraham are in YOU!
Angelic Demons Spiritual Form (Sorry I can’t find something more closer to how they look)
While I was a teen, I read a Satanist-turned-Christian write about her experience how she was set free by Jesus. She describe these spirits physically as she saw them, including the big man himself! While she was sincere about how she experienced demonic oppression, it was not helpful for me because one of my weakness is the spirit of fear. She describe demons as angelic beings who were handsome, 12 foot human like creatures who have thick dark black scales as armor and wings. They were skilled in their chosen field of expertise like the demon of Lust, demon of Alcohol, demon of Drugs, demon of Cancer, etc. I was pretty much paranoid as I imagined demons in everything that goes wrong in my life. The spirit of fear, drowned the oftentimes soft voice of God in my life. Continue reading →
For many times in my life, I don’t want to go through the process. I just want the results. I want the intimacy, not the spending time. I want the faith, I don’t want the desperation. I want healthy boundaries; I don’t want the mistakes to find it. I want the hope, not the falling and standing up. I want the girl, not the challenge. Well, life is about taking the journey to get to your destination. 😀
A little child of faith on a long impossible journey
For some reason the journey gets heavier because of “culture” and “Christian tradition”. At other times, we put it on ourselves. I am a perfectionist, and though I talk about the Grace and Love of God, in practice I am blind and continue to work for God to accept me. There are some practices that hurt our journey by putting heavy rocks onto our already heavy load. Then we burden Continue reading →
