Warrior of the Light

A warrior of light knows that he has much to be grateful for.

He was helped in his struggle by the angels; celestial forces placed each thing in its place, thus allowing him to give of his best.

His companions say: ‘He’s so lucky!’ And the warrior does sometimes achieve things far beyond his capabilities.

That is why, at sunset, he kneels and gives thanks for the Protective Cloak surrounding him.

His gratitude, however, is not limited to the spiritual world; he never forgets his friends, for their blood mingled with his on the battlefield.

A warrior does not need to be reminded of the help given him by others; he is the first to remember and makes sure to share with them any rewards he receives.

All the world’s roads lead to the heart of the warrior; he plunges unhesitatingly into the river of passions always flowing through his life.

The warrior knows that he is free to choose his desires, and he makes these decisions with courage, detachment and - sometimes - with just a touch of madness.

He embraces his passions and enjoys them intensely. He knows that there is no need to renounce the pleasures of conquest; they are part of life and bring joy to all those who participate in them.

But he never loses sight of those things that last or of the strong bonds that are forged over time.

A warrior can distinguish between the transient and the enduring.

A warrior of light does not rely on strength alone, he makes use of his opponent’s energy too.

When he enters the fight, all he has is his enthusiasm and the moves and strikes that he learned during his training. As the fight progresses, he discovers that enthusiasm and training are not enough to win: what counts is experience.

Then he opens his heart to the Universe and asks God to give him the inspiration he needs to turn every blow from his enemy into a lesson in self-defence.

His companions say: ‘He’s so superstitious. He stopped fighting in order to pray; he even shows respect for his opponent’s tricks.’

The warrior does not respond to these provocations. He knows that without inspiration and experience, no amount of training will help him.

- Paolo Coelho

Selfless Success and Steadfast Significance

One incident made me realize even more that my personal mission of 'Selfless Success and Steadfast Significance' is meant to bless more and more people. I was walking down a busy street one day, hoping to catch a bus with good air-conditioning so I could get to the office fresh and not sweating like Yao Ming as if I just played four NBA games in a row with triple overtime each. 

Not Enough To Give 

As I passed by the stairs of an overpass, I heard a helpless voice from a mother begging for alms as she reached her left hand towards me and her right arm struggling to carry her child with a big, swollen head because of hydrocephalus.

For a few seconds, I was not able to react. I couldn't quite comprehend what I saw. My heart was moved with pity and my eyes started to water. I reached for my wallet and felt even sadder as I thumbed through the receipts and calling cards inside and found that I didn't have money to give them. I took a deep breath as I carefully pulled out an old twenty peso bill out and handed it to the mother. I felt bad knowing that my money would not even be enough for their fare going to the hospital.

Financially Free To Bless Others 

As I got on the bus, I prayed to God, “Lord, please bless me so I too can be a blessing to others.” This experience is one of the reasons why I want to be financially free. Now, God is surprising me every day with opportunities to become financially independent. He made me realize that I should be first grounded on spiritual values so that when He finally opens the flood gates of heaven to bless me, my heart will be ready to be a blessing to people.

When I pray each morning, I pull out a piece of paper with my 'Life Dreams' written on it. I treasure these dreams because I know that these will bless many, many people. Those dreams are fueled by my life’s mission: Selfless Success and Steadfast Significance.

All of these things remind me that each time I pray for financial blessings, He smiles at me and tells me, “Hey Norman, I will bless you also through you. You can use the talents I have given you.” I know that it won't be easy and many people will say negative things about what I do but I don’t care because I believe that it is God who planted these dreams in my heart. And yes, I might fail many times, but I’m determined to fail my way to success. God is reminding me everyday that He will bless me abundantly so I can also be a blessing to others.

Big Boy Has a Big God

I was in the front row listening to the story of a man who was changed by God. It was like being in the front line of God's miracle listening to this person's sharing. This is his life story. May you also be blessed!

Living The Life

 He was one of the best multiplex artists of the 90s. He sings for all major recording companies in the Philippines during that time. He was also the most sought after singer to all major TV commercial jingles. He got it all, fame, money, girls and other things that an ordinary man would need. 

The Addiction and the Fall

Because he has all the money at his disposal, vices were part of his life and his greatest addiction was drugs. He started by just having a little then got totally addicted to it. Then little by little his career fell apart. The recording companies that he was signed one by one did not renew his contract. With the strong addiction lurking in his system, he needed to fund his craving for drugs but this time he has no more singing career to fund his vices. So he did the worst, he became a drug pusher and became a big-time one. He was one of the prime mover of the biggest and dirtiest drug deals in Quezon City. He was ranked as the 3rd most wanted during his time. And that is the time also when he was known as "Big Boy."  Drug deals under him and his group were successfully made and they just got out of the scene leaving no trace for them to be captured.

The Biggest Deal and The Strongest Prayer

One afternoon one of Big Boy’s contacts told him that they had a project and it’s a big one. He told Big Boy that they will do a “one time, big time deal”.  After this drug deal then they can all “retire” from this dirty work. Without thinking twice, Big Boy said yes to the offer having in mind that this will be the last time after all so he should definitely do it.

The scheduled day arrived. Big Boy woke up early to prepare for the drug deal. He checked his gun and stepped out his room. On his way out, he overheard his mom praying earnestly for him. His mother's eyes were closed as tears run down to her face. Then on that point, he made an unexplainable decision. He decided not join the deal anymore and the biggest turning point was right then and there he simply surrendered his life to God. Without explanation he simply surrendered.

After a few days he learned that all the member who joined the drug deal were all killed.

His Life at Present

Big Boy now sings as member of the band named 29A.D. where they tour around the world to spread the word of God though music. There are many funny but inspiring moments that happened to him during their concert outside the county. 

Miracle in Europe & Australia 

One of them was when they were in Europe for a concert and when they were having their lunch, two person approached him and asked if he can still recognized them. Big Boy apologized and told them that he can't remember. The two person said that they were his former runner on his drug deals and they are now also members of the catholic community- Couples for Christ!

When he was in Sydney, his host family were very kind to him especially the father of the family and when he was about to sleep the guy told him that he was a former narcotic agent and he was the one in-

charge of Big Boy's case and he is now also a member of Couples for Christ.

Big Boy ended his sharing with a song from Casting Crowns and after he sung, people gave him a standing ovation while many are crying not just for his talent but for his life that was Changed By Christ.

 Who am I? 

Who am I? 
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I? 
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours. 

Who am I? 
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I? 
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours. 

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
I am yours..
I am yours..

Her Violin and His Poetry Chapter 2

The smell of freshly cut grass brings memories to Neziah as he, his father and his siblings walk across old epitaphs.

Memories from not so distant past play at Neziah’s mind as they approach an old familiar tree.

A tree that has been a silent witness to his cries and mourns.

The tree that has been a shelter of the tomb of Neziah’s most beloved woman- his mother.

“It has been four years…” Neziah said under a deep sigh.

He continues the phrase in his mind…

“Four years of living without the light of our home. Four years of seeing Father pretending to be alright but obviously hurting with the loss of Mother- the love of his life.”

Neziah turned to his father and said…

“Father, you know I am really hurting thinking that Mother is not here with us anymore. I don’t know what will I do then, thinking that we will be living our lives without her. My heart was left wounded and it cuts deeper each passing day. ”

Neziah knelt down with one knee and remove the dry leaves from his mother’s tomb as he continues saying…

“But I realized that the wounded heart that’s hurting and in pain can stand-up and decide to live again. 

One of the greatest lessons I learned is that all healing takes place from within.”

Neziah smiled as he continued…

“Every time I put that in my mind and my heart, the pain goes away.”

His father stood behind Neziah, rubbed his son’s head gently and said…

“That’s right son, be a living message of hope to this world even when you’re in grief. He who hopes even in the midst of pain will be accompanied by angels.”

He pointed to the east and said…

“If you will take a deeper look into sunrise, you will have hopes to carry with you through the day.”

His father bended down, wrapped his right arm to his son, gestured toward the setting sun and said…

“If you will look deeper into sunset, you will have an inspiration to have hopes for tomorrow. 

Never lose hope; its abundance radiates the sky day and night.”

῏῏῏

The light from the candle reflects in the faces of Neziah’s siblings as he looks at them. Their voices echoes in their half- empty house as the two little angels with a big appetite have their own story to tell their father and Neziah.

One of his brother cupped a handful of rice and place it in his mouth as he continues his story about the little crab he caught last week- a story that he has been telling since it happened with a sense of pride in his eyes.

After Neziah had cleaned the table, he opened his drawer, picks- up his bundle of paper and his pencil shortened with repeated use.

Neziah loves to write. He loves to write about what happened on his day. Marking down what lessons he has learned. He loves to write his prayers to God and call it his poetry. There on the simple flat rock at the edge of the cliff is his place of solitude. His companions are the stars and the moon, delighted with every word that Neziah mark down on the paper.

He grabs a lamp, wears his coat and went to the place.

It took him a tiring thirty minutes to reach his nightly destination. He wipes the sweat in his forehead and thankful for the full moon because he and his father will not go out into the sea to fish. He has more time to stay there and be in one with nature. 

He sits on the flat rock that’s lying safely in the edge of the high cliff.

The view is breathtaking. 

Neziah can see the lights of their town and the sea that surrounds it. 

The big yellow moon seems to kiss the waters of the sea. The clear reflection of her light shines calmly on the water’s surface as if inviting the person to walk on the path she is making.

Their town is like a clustered star sparkling in the midst of the darkness. Lights from little houses and inns seem to dance in the music of the wind. 

The cool gentle wind caresses and touches Neziah’s cheeks.

The rhythmic sound of the waves that repeatedly touches the shore below him brings calmness to him. It was like the same feeling he feels when he was still a little child and his mother would sing while gently caressing his forehead until he falls asleep. 

He noticed that the old big house below him that was abandon for almost three years is now lighted and he can hear indistinct chats and joyful laughter from the lighted house.

Neziah inhaled deeply to savor the cool and fresh air and starts to write his realization of the day.

“I live my life not on my own strength. Someone up there is patiently guiding me in everything that I do. Every step that I take is known to Him. Every heart break I felt is also painful to Him. He rejoices when I’m happy and He cries with me when I am in pain. Nothing that I do is hidden from His caring eyes and there is nothing I can do that can stop Him from loving me.”

Neziah’s writing was suddenly interrupted with a soothing and calming sound coming from one of the room of the big house below him. He placed the lamp on his back and examine where the sound was coming from.

After his eyes were fully adjusted after being shortly blinded by the lamp’s light, he clearly sees the lovely lady holding her violin with such elegance and beauty.

She plays the violin with such ability that Neziah could easily tell that she has been playing violin for a long time. Like his father to the sea, the traders to the marketplace and him to his pencil and paper.

Neziah could tell that the fine- looking lady is somewhat at his age. Her white complexion radiates in the candle-lit room. Her hair extends up to her shoulders with such smoothness that it adds beauty to her innocent looking face. Her eyes complements her lovely-rounded face as she smiles while feeling the emotions of the piece that she is playing in her violin.

Under the moonlit sky, together with the cool breeze of the wind Neziah put down his pencil and sit there on the top of the rock just to listen to the angelic sound coming from the old house. He knew that this night is different from the other nights that why he want to seize to be serenade by an angel.

How To Handle Heartbreaking Pains

Life is uncertain maybe that’s why it has ‘if’ in the middle. You will never know what will happen next. Many times, life gives you a dose of shock instead of a surprise because the things that happened are the exact opposite of the things you want. It can turn you upside-down and beat you up until your heart is left bleeding and bruised all over.

Your pain maybe from a relationship that suddenly ended or a relationship that you dream but never had. It maybe from a betrayal or from an action of someone towards you that you don’t want to remember ever again.Whatever it is, the pain from those circumstances haunts you.

The unbearable ache grips your heart and the unnoticed tears suddenly escape your eyes. Those unguarded moments are the hardest. Those moments like, waiting for the elevator then suddenly the pain and the memory flash in your mind, those mornings that you open your eyes when you wake-up and realize that you will again have to face the reality and the pain is very real. Also, those sleepless nights that your tears is at your pillow and you want to go to sleep but when you close your eyes the face, the events, the circumstance are so vivid. Or, while you’re waiting for the green light while driving, then suddenly the memories once again keep banging at your head.

It seems no escape. It seems intolerable. Instead of the pain gripping your heart, you want to grip it with your own hand, pull-it out and throw it away so you can never feel the pain again. But you have to face the truth that the only way to get out of this misery is to accept it, let-go, and learn from it.

Then you will get through this a better person. You will learn to smile again. You will see the world in different perspective because you are now more mature. You choose to live again life to the fullest that why you are now stronger. You realize that your happiness is not some other people’s hand but it is in you own hands. By the grace of God & by the life you choose you learn that you eventually can get-up from the pain and choose to live and love again.

You look back on the events that happened and realize that it has showed you who your real friends are. That’s why you have to be grateful. You have to thank God for giving you these people who really care about you and will not hurt you because their love for you is genuine and true.

You realize also that you can’t change the past nor control the future so you just raise your hands in total surrender to the will of the loving Father up-above. This time, the word “surrender” mean different to you. God has taught you that the true meaning of that word is actually really giving all you have so He can use it for His glory by doing His wonderful will in your life.

The best thing that you learned from this is you need Jesus Christ in your life because He is the one who knows the true desire of your heart, the desire that you truly need and that’s what He wants to give you so you can experience happiness according to His measure.

So now, you have the courage to move-on. Cry if you must but don’t let it last too long because you should see the promise of God to your future. And when you’re there you’ll understand why all these things happened in your life.

 

Her Violin and His Poetry Chapter 1

He took a deep breath as their fishing boat approaches the shore.
The cool breeze that touches his face tells him that they are still early.
He gave a glance on the right side of the sea but pays little attention to other fishermen going the same direction.


His red-brown complexion can tell that the sea has been his second dwelling place next to their old little house since he was a child.


His name is Neziah.


Even from their distance, he can see a number of traders waiting eagerly for them to arrive.
They are the kind of people who will fight their way to position themselves in front of wet big baskets so they can pick the best fish to purchase.
The traders deliver it in the central towns and sell them in much higher prices.


As soon as his father’s boat touches the shore, he jumped into the sand holding a rope; make his way through the number of people approaching their boat and run towards a rope- marked tree to tie their vessel.


He stood for a moment and looked at the sea.


Although the traders’ voices resound in the brown- sanded shore, it seems that Neziah found a way to detach himself from the noisy place and concentrate on the beauty in front of him.


It was such a peaceful sight and he stand in awe seeing the red- orange sky with the touch of white- paled colored clouds. He removed his sandals and feels the edges of the tiny grain of sands kissing his feet. He threw his arms wide open and received the cool salty breeze from the green and blue colored sea.


Neziah said to himself
“If people will only look deeper in this wonderful creation that God has made, they would see a love too great to understand but so near to touch.”


“Son, come here and help me!”
His father’s demanding voice suddenly brings him back to reality.
He climbed back to the boat to help his father pull- out their big basket that is full of catch from the night’s battling with the waves.
As soon as they put down the basket in the sand, the traders muscled their way closer so that they can buy their finest catch.
After a little while, all that was left were seven pieces of small fishes.


“Ahh, these will be for us,” his father said smiling.


They clean their nets and their boat as soon as the noisy traders went off their way.
“Father?” Neziah asked
“Can we visit mother this afternoon? I was thinking about her last night. I think she already misses us even we just been there the other day”.
“Sure!” His father said in reply.
“I also want to go and visit her.”
“Actually, I want to visit her everyday…”- he said in a voice only he could hear.


“You know,” he continued in an audible voice.
“When she’s not here, our family seems incomplete. For me, without her presence our home has a piece of loneliness.
Without her smile there is an empty space in our hearts that nothing in this world could replace.”


Neziah nod in agreement as he hides his teary eyes and jumped to the water to clean the side of the boat.
While he was wiping the boat he asked another question to his father whose still in a state of remembering the past.


“Father, how much do you love mother?” the boy asked with sincerity as he squinted to his father while tying the sail and waiting for the old man to answer.


“How much do I love her?”
His father repeated his son’s question knowing that his answer will be etched to the young man’s heart forever.


“I always wrote love letter to your mother ever since we were young. I think those letters alone could speak how much I love her.”


“What is the content of your first letter?” Neziah asked while smiling sheepishly.


“Oh, that first letter…” His father eyes brightened.


“That first letter I gave to her made her cry as she read it in front of me.”


He raised his right hand as if delivering a phrase in an important gathering.


The voices of the other fishermen and the sound of the waves touching the shore seems to be like an orchestra backing up his words as he open his mouth to answer the question.


“I love you when you frown what more if you smile. I love you when you are angry what more if you are calm. I love you when you lie, what more if you speak the truth. When you are in your worst, I will decide to love you at my best.”


Neziah smiled while looking at his father with great admiration.
He swayed back and forth in the knee- deep water, grasping the wet rag close to his left cheek and stroke it with the back of his right hand fingers as if with his lady in a dance and said
“Someday, I will also love someone like how you loved mother...” as he continue swaying in the water like a tree swaying in the sweet serenade of the wind.


“Oh!”
Neziah suddenly stops as he remembers one important question he wanted to ask his father since a week ago.


“But tell me father, how did you know it was with mother that you want to spend the rest of your life?"


His father responded with a smile as if he knew the question was coming.  He stretched out his hand to Neziah and nod at him as a sign for his son to come up the boat.


When Neziah was standing right in front of him, he hold his son’s both shoulders, looked directly to Neziah’s eyes and said...


“Son, when you decide to love the person even if sometimes there is no romantic emotion rushing from your heart, that’s the time that you truly love. That’s what made me knew that it was her- I decided.”

I Went Searching For Love But It Is Love That Found Me

Every people needs to be loved
Every being that walks in this planet needs that assurance that he's being love no matter who he is
Even if you stepped and were lost in the furnace of hell, love can bring you up and redeem you to experience heaven once again
Love is the greatest of all, the purest of all
Love is the strongest force in the world
A force that even how much you try to walk away, you cannot separate from the fullness of joy it brings
Love draws you near to itself before you even realize it
Love is the complete surrender of every beautiful thing in this world
There's love in every hope, every faith, every perseverance and every humility
There is love in every you and me
Many people went searching for love but all their efforts were in vain
They thought they have it all figured out but they realized that they just made a mess
Many people went searching for love but they searched in the wrong places
They searched high and low but found a love that never grow
Try to look deep in yourself, try to look inside your heart
You will find that everlasting love that is like a beautiful art
It’s a love that nailed on the cross for all of us
The love that redeemed us
If you will find it deep in our heart you can say
"I went searching for love but it is love that found me”

Sari-Sari Store Reflection

We had a sari-sari store before and business was so good that time. 

When people have something to buy, you bet our little sari-sari store have it. Since we don't have a helper, me and my sister are the one who will man the "family business" when my mother is not around. 

The lines like "Pabile!"- "Ano yun?"- "Meron kayong yelo?"- "Meron?" are the words of everyday.

I remember when me and my sister were in-charge of the sari-sari store one night, 

a drunk man buy something from our store. My sister was the one who gave what the man need and when she was about to give the drunk man's change, he intentionaly held my sister's hand too long. He run his fingers to my sister's palm as he get the coin from the sister's shaking hand.

After the man left, my sister ran to my father and told what happened while trying to explain in between sobs.

I followed my father as he left immediately and look for the drunk guy who I think will  see the stars not on heaven but above his head. 

I was right! 

When my father was standing right in front of the man, he slapped him with his right hand and said "Wag na wag mong babastusin ang anak ko!"

Today, as I reflect on that story, I am reminded that the love of the father for his child is one of the greatest in the world.

I also imagine how God love us very much. Because if my father who is mortal love his children so much, how much more our Father in heaven.

I believe that Christ also went through difficult and dangerous situation just for us.- The Cross.

He did not used his palm to slap someone in the face, but he allowed it to be placed on the cross and be nailed.

I Went To Heaven and Back

It’s December 14, 2008, I woke up at 5am in the morning and hurried myself to ride our service going to the 1st Batang Bayani Site in San Isidro Nueva Ecija. It was a smooth 2 hour drive in the early hours of  Sunday at the long stretch of North Luzon Express Way. We had a quick breakfast at Jollibee Pampanga and continued our way to San Isidro,Nueva Ecija.

Hot angry sun touches our skin as our van approaches the GK site. The day was so hot that you will sweat even by doing nothing. As I wipe my forehead, the little kids of Batang Bayani Village went rushing to us and reach for our right hands to "mano". It was such an overwhelming sight of love and respect when those little kids smilingly put our hands in their sweaty forehead and greeted us good morning.

The program started with a prayer followed by performance of different groups. One of my favorite presentations was from San Isidro Sagip. They had a dance number with just one dance step for the whole song. A happy feeling shines through everyone's face as we watch the children dance with joy.

At Exactly 12pm, the families were asked to go back in their houses because the visitors from Australia and from Manila have a surprise for them. When everyone was settled, the visitors caroled the families and after they sing songs, they were the ones who give the family a gift! The family received the gifts while saying countless thank you to the carolers under the heat of the 12 noon sun.

After lunch, we all gathered once again to the multi-purpose hall to have the closing program. The visitors offered more Christmas songs for everyone. After their serenade, what happened next was so touching and very uplifting. The families of San Isidro offered everyone a thank you song and went around the hall thanking all the people in rebuilding their once hopeless lives but now with a new direction and full of hope.

The program was over. We have to go back to Manila.

As for me, I know that I will be coming back home as a different person. I feel that as if my heart has grown twice its size because of all the love I felt this day. I will go home happier and spiritually stronger because of the simple yet powerful message I learned this day- that the greatest force in this world is no other than love. You have to immense yourself to God's great ocean of love so that you can also share love to others.

Before I ride the van, I look once again at the people waving goodbye. And as I look at them, in my heart I am very thankful to God for allowing me to meet them.

When I arrived home and as I lay myself to rest, I took a deep breath and said to myself "I went to heaven and back..."

How To Save Yourself From A Lot of Misery About Love?

For Men:

Women are like precious apples on a tree. The best ones are on the top. Men don’t want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten ones from the ground that are not good but easy to pick. So the apples on top will think that something is wrong with them. The right thing to do for a man who search for true love is to be brave enough to climb the highest tree and pick the best apple that is watered and nurtured only for him.

For Women:

Go for a man who's not afraid to take risks for you, who will consistently pursue you, who will protect your relationship, who will not take advantage of you, who will support you as you take a leap of faith, who compliments generously, who's intimate in his relationship with God, who proactively waits, who can provide, who will say I love you, and  I want to marry you.

Someday When I am Old

Someday when I am old

I may not be able to worship God

The way I worship Him today

Someday When I am old

I may not be able to jump

While singing praises for Him

Because I might break my knees

Someday when I am old

I may be toothless when I smile

When I received message from up above

Someday when I am old

I may not be able to sing aloud

Because I may get easily exhausted

Someday when I am old

My claps may be out of timing

and I may raise my hands in a funny way

but…

Someday when I am old

I would still be worshiping God

With all of my heart

Someday when I am old

My heart will still leap for joy because

God is the source of it

Someday when I am old

I will still be finding reasons to smile

Because of all the blessings God is giving me especially

His Gift that chose to be with me forever

Someday when I am old

I will still be singing praises for God

Whispering it to Him because I know He is near

And someday when I am old

I will still fall in-love with God each and everyday

and thank Him forever and ever because

He has been faithful to me all my days

…Someday when I am old.