271: How God reached out to me thru Pope Francis

 

I am still reeling from the fact that a little while ago I was two - three steps away from Pope Francis. Who would have thought that I would have this opportunity? 

--- Well apparently, God. 

Last January 11, I dreamed of seeing Pope Francis live. In my dream I got to see him so close, but before I had the chance to know if I will ever have the chance in touching him, I woke up. I was so amused and at the same time thrilled by my dream, I wrote it in my status on facebook.

"hihi dreamt of Pope Francis. Back to sleep."

A few days after while I was on my way to go the office, I was reading a passage in bible and I ended up reading Matthew 1:18-25 ( it was basically about the angel appearing on Joseph's dream). When I got to the part where Joseph woke up from his dream and he did what the angel of the lord commanded him to do, I ended up thinking if it was a sign that I should see the Pope in any way that I can. 

I never really thought hard about it, because I thought that my chance of seeing him in real is rather slim to no chance at all. I mean, how can I see him when there's so many people who's probably more aggressive in actually seeing him than me? I was so indecisive because there were so many things I was worrying about, like I thought about stampede, security, and just being disappointed because I wouldn't see him. I, honestly, want to give up on the idea.

But early morning today, I decided to give it a go and I mumbled a silent prayer that I hope to see our Pope. But I already had conditioned myself that whatever happens I'll just enjoy and experience what it's like to actually wait for him. 

And to my surprise, this happened:

So what does it have to do about God sending his message to me thru our Pope? If you read my entry 'Be Brave' I reached to the point asking if God is still listening to me because He seems to be indifferent on my sufferings, I felt so defeated when I felt that He wasn't listening at all. So I stopped asking for His intervention on my dreams. I ended up just asking for God to strengthen my faith.

And this granted opportunity to see Pope Francis and his message on Meeting of the Families was just the answer.

First, the appearance of Pope on my dream, and the gospel I came across (Matthew 1:18-25) -- This tells me that I need to have faith on my dreams.

Second, the fact that Pope also discussed about the power of dreaming (I didn't know that Pope talked about the power of dreams because I was on my way home when the Pope talked about it during the meeting of families. I got to know about this when someone commented on my Facebook post that 'Pope just talked about the power of dreaming')

If you're familiar with my entries, this means a lot to me because I have many aspirations, and dreams. Last year's setbacks almost had me questioning if God is still there. He answered me thru the Pope's chosen topic: Dreaming! Coincidence? Of course not! Plus, he discussed about it right after I saw him in the flesh! What a right timing!

I almost strayed away from God because of my disappointments, and how He seems to ignore me, but He used the Pope -- His chosen shepherd -- to bring me back to His loving arms.

Thank you, God. Thank you, Pope Francis. ❤

263: Be brave

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. 

He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 

God, Father, are you listening still? This, I thought while the priest was doing his homily. I found myself not listening to what was the priest was saying but rather, I ended up contemplating my relationship with God.

To be honest, I feel like I slackened when it comes to my relationship with Him compare to how it was back when I was in college. But you have to understand that I was studying in st. Scholastica so my access to God was albeit easy compare to right now. *smacks forehead* okay, that was an excuse. I had too many distractions, too many things to think about that I realized that my relationship with him was no longer the same.

God ...  Please, I need You to give me that strength -- that bravery. The one that You used to give me.  I thought willing God to listen to me.

You may wonder what's the deal with this post, and it's because I've been wanting to do certain things and it has been pushing me back to do them because I was afraid. I could not point out where the irrational fear came from when I wasn't so scared before. It annoys the hell out of me because it limits me from moving around.

I'm not sure if  my fear comes from the fact that I no longer have the same strong relationship that I had with God, or it's because of something else. But I know I just need to have faith--that it will be okay--that God hasn't changed--that He still listens and loves me in spite of everything.

199: Singapore Trip (Part 1): a Renewed Hope and the Power of Decision

Do you ever believe about the "connecting the dots"? Steve Jobs talked about it, and even though I haven't heard it from Steve Jobs, I have experienced it. There was a certain event in my life during college that suddenly made me realize that the reason I got into that situation is because it prepared me for a wonderful ending. 

I strongly believe that what's happening in our life has a value eventually. Even the smallest thing that we've decided on, the reason why we are where we are right now is because it means something eventually. Yes, we can't understand it yet but I believe we just need to believe that God has a plan for us. And we just need to believe that it has a reason why it happened, why it's happening. 

One of the things that I hold dear in my life is what God said: 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jer 29:11

and yes, whenever I feel something bad happened to me, or why I am where I am right now is because God has an ultimate plan. 

And this is what I have experienced when I went to Singapore. My trip there was certainly not just to have fun. But to renew the hope that I have in my life. 

I am not exactly a travel enthusiast. I am stingy (and so I have declared many times) and going out of town was certainly not something of an essential. Maybe I'd do it if I have extra few cash, but due to my wonderful, persistent sister she told me to take the trip. And I did, I thought why not [?] maybe it's just the right time to indulge myself despite the expenses. 

Going in Singapore was not just a trip but it had taught me a few valuable wisdoms, and one of which is the power of decision. I was doing a high intensity interval training (watch the sample: here) and despite my doubt that I can finish the whole training without cheating, I told myself that I'll do it. No matter what the cost. No matter how long, I'll finish it.

And I did. It was tough, but since from the beginning that I took the workout I have decided that I will finish it. The push up + superman push up (part) was tough and my muscles were tired. I wanted to quit but because of my decision that I will finish the damn work out, I pushed forward. Also, I kept shouting "PUSHHHHH!!!!", "No Quitting!", "I can do this" every time I feel like quitting. It sounded silly, but if I didn't chant those things I would have relent on my emotions. Plus, the fact that my sister had been very supportive, helped me not to quit.

During that time, during on my trainings I kept conditioning my mind that I can finish the workout, and I kept reminding myself about the decision that I made. It helped and taught me that I can do things if I just put my mind on it. 

So my dear readers, I wish the same thing for you. If you wanted to change your life do it. Make that change. Decide that THIS IS WHAT you want to happen!

Before I signed this entry, I'm leaving you this song: Titanium by Sia (feat. David Guetta) just because the lyrics inspires the hell out of me during my training.

You shout it out, 

But I can't hear a word you say 

I'm talking loud not saying much 

I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet 

You shoot me down, but I get up 

 I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose 

Fire away, fire away 

Ricochet, you take your aim 

Fire away, fire away 

You shoot me down 

but I won't fall I am titanium

Next: Singapore Trip (Part 2): a Realization

140: Good News: Our Sins Are Not Recorded!

Good News in my Email

Hebrews 8:12

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,

and their sins and their lawless deeds

I will remember no more.”

I once read a comic book which showed how a man lusted after a woman, then died of a heart attack and went to heaven. In heaven, he saw a big screen showing everyone present a recording of all the sins which he had committed while on earth, including the last one. How embarrassing!


Don’t worry, that is not going to happen to you in heaven. There is no big screen with front-row and circle seats for everyone to sit and watch your past sins. There is no video recorder in heaven recording your sins right now. Because your lifetime of sins has already been punished in the body of Jesus, God declares to you, “Your sins and lawless deeds, I will by no means ever remember!”


This is true even for the Old Testament heroes of faith such as Abraham, Moses and David. If you read Hebrews 11, which was written after the cross of Jesus, you will notice that there is no record of their sins or failures. Yet, their life stories tell us that they were far from perfect.


Abraham lied twice about his wife Sarah. He told Pharaoh, and later, King Abimelech, that she was his sister to protect his own life. Moses killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, and hid the body in the sand. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and later arranged for her husband to be killed in battle. Yet, their sins were not recorded in Hebrews 11, only their deeds done in faith!


God is showing you that He does not record your sins or failures today. Instead, He records your faith confessions and deeds done in response to what His Son has done for you. Every time you sin, every time you waver in your faith, God does not record it. But every time you believe Him and respond in faith, He records it! That should not make you want to sin more. It should free you to love God more!


So don’t be conscious of your failures. If God Himself does not remember them, who are you to remember them? Be conscious instead of your righteousness in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), and you will reign in life! (Romans 5:17)

From Pastor Prince @ New Creation Church

138: The bus that hasn't arrived yet.

Where the hell is the bus?

There's really no point to be alarmed of the fact that I am 23 with no boyfriend nor with any potential serious suitors (flings are not included as serious suitors, :p lol).

No, really. I'm in no hurry to find one. I have set my priorities to enjoy myself at the meantime and make myself better. But it would be a hypocrisy to say that I never felt any jealousy or envy towards my friends who are in a serious relationship or are currently in relationship. I have my own longings too. I wanted to have what they have, but thinking about it makes me realize that relationship is the last thing I need at the moment.

To say, I am still in the point where I am enjoying 'life' and making myself better. I think it's all God's doing why there are no potential guys lurking around. He knew better than me. He knew that I tend to get too emotional and might get involve with someone pre-maturely, thus destroying His well-laid plans for me.

Well, I am incredibly patient, and I believe in His plans. The bus hasn't come yet, but I know deep inside that it will come in the right time, with a seat specially vacant just for me.

For this entry, I give you this feel good music by Des'ree entitled - You Gotta Be




photo taken from source

30: The Box

I always find myself wondering about my life and exactly where I want it to be. Don't get me wrong, I know what direction I should take. I know what I wanted to be and where I want to be in the next few years; but I don't know what circumstances that life would do to take me or perhaps tempt me to take different way.

But I pray that I wouldn't be derailed from my plans. I hope I'll get to where I really wanted to be. I am hoping that God will guide me and would lead me to a better life. I am positive that He would, if I just keep doing what He wanted me to do: Pay everyone with kindness.

And in doing so, I just need to be patient because everything will come on time. I know and I am sure of it. For now, I will just wonder what He stored for me.

5: Quality time with my meilleurs copains

1. Actually the meilleurs copain thing was just a french translation that was generated in twitter for the english word, best buddies. haha! So I really don't know if that's right or wrong.

Anyway, today I had a great time with my friends: Katz, Adz, and Raisa. Katz was not able to stay long with us as she needs to get home early and sleep because later that day she'll have to go to work. So in the end, it was just Raisa, Adz, and I.

What I love best with Raisa and Adz is that we just don't hangout for the sake of good-times but to glorify God too. While we were hanging out in the foodcourt, we were able to talk about life, God, and the future. It's nice to have this kind of conversation because we share to each other our different perspective of life. Furthermore, during this time we were able to look deep within ourselves and contemplate the kind of relationship we have with God.

The three of us had been together this past few months. We've been together as we search for work and just hangout. Also, we were able to share what we feel during trying times. We help each other emotionally and spiritually. That way we were able to bond really well. It's a bit saddening that sooner I have to part as I'll be working this monday. Don't get me wrong, I already wanted to start working; it just saddens me a little bit that hanging out with them will be much lesser than what we usually do. 

~ sigh ~ Working might introduce me to a new set of friends but surely, my college friends occupies a special place in my heart. <3

Me (right), Adz, and Raisa hanging out