He’s Alive!

Thomas, the doubter, would not believe that his Savior has risen from the dead.

(John Chapter 20) ²⁶And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

²⁷Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

²⁸And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.

Trivia: Prior to this event, when Mary Magdalene encountered the risen Jesus at the empty tomb, the Lord forbid her from touching Him and said He needs to meet His Father first. This encounter with Thomas seems to contradict His earlier words. It is believed that Thomas, upon seeing the Lord alive before Him in all His glorified state, instantly fell on His knees and exclaimed “My Lord and my God!” That is, without touching Him, nor inserting his fingers on His spear wounds; thus, negating the Scripture-worthiness of the earlier paintings showing Thomas touching Him and inserting a finger on His wounds.

²⁹Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

The Gate in the Mist

Whoa, as I stared at my PC tonight and after exchanging comments with an online friend about her upcoming birthday, a cumbersome thought dawned on me: one too many years have passed me by. Eight years and four decades have come and gone so fast, I might as well be dreaming again. Darn, I always find myself saying that clause. Got to learn a new one, having forgotten all the others. And time is running out.

Now I’m almost at the threshold of another gate; maybe a mile away but is already on my windshield screen, albeit misted. And should I say, it looks formidable on the horizon. Blood shivered and surged in my veins as I appraised the gate in wonder and dread of what it holds for me.

Now I can truly appreciate the Bible passage “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most unhappy.” ~1Cor.15:19 (Bible in Basic English). Glad there is more to life than this fleeting piece of pebble existence in the midst of a vast ocean of sand.

Fifty-six days, fifty-two weeks, and 12 months;  the gate might look inviting. The glass looks like it’s half-full. Who am I kidding? Hahaha

True Learners

Alex: Why can’t I ever make it? Why? Why? Why?

Ben: Relax, you can do it!

Alex: No. I cannot! I’m never gonna make it; I hate this. It sucks big time!

Ben: Why, what’s the problem?

Alex: I don’t know; I really don’t know! I’m giving up!

Ben: Wait! Did u do your best?

Alex: Of course I did my best, hello! I completed everything; attended all sessions too.

Ben: Do you think you have exhausted all means to really learn?

Alex: Naman! <Of course *silly!>

Ben: Sorry, just wanna know. But wasn’t there any Study Help at all? Wasn’t there any thing/item to download for your study aid?

Alex: No!

….well, there was… but… I…

Ben: But…..what?

Alex: Well, I don’t need it, I guess. It’s a waste of my time. Only losers need them.

Ben: I get it.

Alex: Got what?

Ben: Know what? The problem is you and your attitude.

Alex: What on earth are you saying?!

Sadly, we oftentimes lack the modesty and true perseverance to learn. We want something but we nix the extra work. We want things to fall on our laps. There were provision for learning but we’d rather be ‘smart’ and do the shortcuts. We’re ‘too cool’ to undergo what ‘newbies’ go through. And true enough, we always yield mediocre results.

And sometimes, we are just plain lazy. We want glory but we shun routine work. We want to be prodigies but hate scale work. We love acclaim but doze off at training. We’d rather go straight ahead to stardom; only to find out in the end (repeatedly at that) that we do not have what it takes and all we’ve got is hype. Nothing, but leaves.

True learners are passionate. And pride themselves only in their willingness to go down to the very basics just to learn; not thinking they are smarter than others nor entertaining any idea that they are ‘too good’ for those. They are not afraid to ask for help nor to look like neophytes. And they give extraordinary attention to instruction. They don’t carry ‘intellectual trophies’ nor do they wear “Been-There-Done-That” sashes, don’t enjoy bashing new recruits on the side, but are always ready to admit that they need to learn. Because to learn is more important than their prestigious medals and thrones whether real or imagined.

The Last Time I Thanked Someone

 

I have the habit of thanking everyone. It has been my response to every form of human goodness, either sent my way or to another creature. But lately, I have been plagued with forgetfulness I am afraid there are people that I have forgotten to thank.

So, right here and right now, let me say this to everyone who has been very kind, very tolerant and appreciative of me for what I have done, either for them or for the church where I worship or the work that I do in Mitsubishi, or in our community: Maraming salamat po! I am so blessed to be surrounded by good caring people.

 

Shifting Winds

atlantic-splash-1 a.k.a. the sad man's profile

“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” -Franklin Roosevelt

 

Please click the image to read the article at ONEDAYSOON, my personal blog. Credits to the photo posted there.