The Saint Communes 2

The Saint does it again :)

I feel like I'm just doing enough to get by though, someone once told me I do "fast-food" instead of "dinning." I want to change that, but I have no idea how to... Or maybe I just can't? I don't know. I'm trying.

So here it is again, what the Saint has heard from Him up above.

*******

1 Corinthians 10:23 - 11:1

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2010:23%20-%2011:1&version=NIV

So what's my reminder from Him for today?

IT'S ALL A MATTER OF HEART!

Heart? Yup, heart! Whatever you do, be it in front of others, for yourself, or what-not... It does not matter how it looks from the outside – God is looking at the heart, the intention as to why it was done.

Sure sure, it is important to keep a good testimony, but testimony in itself is just a show if not from the heart.

After all, the Pharisees in Jesus's time had AMAZING testimonies when it comes to how Scripture based they were. Washing their hands before eating, eating only the things allowed in the first 5 books of the Old Testament, praying and fasting as often as it is required for them, and the likes. As far as laws are concerned? I'd say they have AMAZING testimonies!

But we all know what Jesus called them...

HYPOCRITES (Matt. 6)

Their hearts were only set on one thing – PLEASING themselves and EVERYONE around them. If the Grammy's were back in their time? They'd always have Best Actor bagged! Everything they did was just a performance. There was no heart to it.

It is important to obey God's word, even Jesus emphasized this. (Matt. 7:21) But who can say if someone has really, REALLY done God's will?

Only Him who searches the heart! (And of course, only Him whose will is the one to be done!)

Jeremiah 17:10 has that in clear black and white – He looks at the heart!

He wants us all, to PLEASE Him. After all, we are Saints are we not? (1 Cor. 1:1-3) And that is what we are called to do!

Now if I were to enumerate the reasons why we have to? It will take all eternity for me to write this, and another for you to finish reading it. So let's stick to the passage, what does it say about glorifying Him?

FOR OTHERS TO SEE HIM THROUGH US!

That's what we are, His glory reflectors. For those driving in the dark to see where they're supposed to go; and for those already going where they should, to be able to stay on the right track.

St. Paul tells us to follow him as he follows Him (Christ). Its a call for us to (1)of course, imitate his ways; and (2) to challenge us to be able to say the same someday! For us to be able to lead others to follow Him, and not to stumble...

*******

I guess He really is still reminding me of the status that I now have; which I may have neglected.

And by the looks of things? He's slowly reminding me of the things I have to do.

Now I really feel like the prodigal son (Luk. 15: 11-31).

After wandering off, when he got home, he was welcomed with love and much expectancy!

BUT, I'm pretty sure, he's not the "newly-returned-son" for longer than a week (okay, given that it's back in Jesus's time, maybe a month?). So what happens after that week?

Everyone is still happy he's finally around, but that doesn't mean people will be waiting on him hand and foot like when he just got home from a very, very bad choice. I'm pretty sure, after the celebrations were over, he starts to become a son again. Yes, all the love and affection of the father are still there; but, his responsibilities are also back.

Somehow, I feel like that's where God is taking me now. I've been away, and now that I'm trying to find my way back, He's welcoming me with promises and reminding me of my status as LOVED. And then slowly reminding me of how I should be. Fathers are not just all lovey-dovey, they're also disciplinarians.

Above all these though? I'd say this Saint, is REALLY, REALLY LOVED! <3

Times - Tenth Avenue North

This reflects what I feel, SO well...

The Saint Communes 1

Yup, the Saint is finally doing what he should've done LONG AGO

Communing with Him who mattered most :)

So read on, and I hope that through OUR moments, He would also talk to you :) Commune is such a strong word after all <3

*******

After weeks of being lazy and plain bummed out. The Saint finally decided to catch up with Him up there.

To be honest? I was expecting a rebuke or something like that... But I guess He does know me all too well -- I'm such a big baby that being mad at me won't do me much good.

So here's what He gave me.

Revelations 21: 1-5

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev.%2021%20:1-5&version=NIV

1. We are His betrothed wife.

Someone engaged to someone should only be with that someone they're bound to -- no turning left nor right. Lately, I have completely lost track of this status of mine. After reading those five verses, that was the first thing that jumped at me. The word "bride" just burned through my mind. No turning back when I made a commitment to be a Saint, and now what on earth am I thinking forgetting my vows?? I am His bride, and I should not forget that; my actions should reflect that, and my heart should confirm that. See how loving He is? Even in the midst of me wandering off, he reminds me of my status in Him!

2. He is with US.

He did say that He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Heb. 13:5) This does not mean that the roads ahead will be smooth, nor does it mean that there will no longer be difficult decisions... BUT His presence will always be with us. Things may never be easy, but I guess things became tougher for me, simply because I forgot the only survival guide I had -- HIM. I may be torn, I may be wandering, I may be disoriented; but He still is with me.

3. He has my pain.

He does not send His soldiers into battle like a chess player plays with his/her pawns. He knows our pains, He knows my pain. My tears don't flow unnoticed, whether they be from my eyes, or from my heart. (Ps. 56:8) As if His presence wasn't enough? He had to add the fact that He did have every pain that I have ever felt in His heart. Nothing I go through I go through alone, He goes with me, and He feels for me.

4. He'll make all things new.

He created everything, and He can remake them. I'm living a new life the moment I acknowledged the cross and what its worth. He made things new then, He can also make things new now. I just have to let go and, SERIOUSLY, LET GOD. Also? I'm living a new life here, and its scary, but that doesn't mean this life won't be like the one He directed for me back in the Philippines. It's still the same God, just a different country.

5. There is hope for a future.

This is Revelations after all, and the passage IS talking about the new heaven and new earth. Literally, that means there IS more to come. This Saint has to stop stressing himself out on stuff of this world, it's not where my heart should be. This world, this life, these problems? They're all temporary. Something's bigger out there waiting for us! Soon we'll be home! :)

*******

His grace is just SO great. These promises remind us of the status we have -- we are Citizens of Heaven. That should be more than enough to go through a busy life right?

After days of going astray, He welcomes me back with promises! I guess, I'm the only one who can't truly forgive myself -- even after the King Himself has moved my sins away from me.

His love is just too great! Bask in it :)

Flightless

" You asked for those did you not? And now you're afraid of them? For what then have I given them to you? Let me take them back..."

These words rang through my mind as I recall the scene at the heavens, my tears blurring up everything. At that moment, all I could do was cry, apologize, and cry some more.

He was mad. Very mad, to say the least.

I got to leave with my wings still in-tacked though, He was gracious enough.

It's been weeks (or was it just days?) since that eventful day. Yet, now, I can feel the same anguish I felt back then. Only maybe now, anguish and sorrow may not be the only ones lingering within me.

Back then, I felt helpless, shamed at my ignorance, and sorry for my short comings. I was wrong. Now? I'm not just wrong. I'm devastated.

How would a free dove feel when chained down? That's how I feel. Ever wondered how stupid flies feel when they keep getting trapped into the same web? Well, I can tell you.

I did get to keep my wings, I did get to retain my sight. But something else is the matter... and He knows it too.

He's patient, too patient as always, especially with me. Yet somehow, I can feel His angry breath puffing in front of me as I recall how He scolded me. I can feel them on my nape, as I realize I'm turning back out of shame and regret.

Soon enough, the puffs feel cooler; not because He was getting calmer, but because I myself was heating up. Rage and anger, who knew these two were different, started swelling up within me. Was I mad at Him? DEFINITELY NOT! If only I could kill myself, then I would. Somehow, I wanna go up to Him and say, "Hey! Do You have any idea how much more I'm mad at myself now than You are?!"

*sigh*

But I know what He'll say, "Is there anything, anything at all, that I don't know?"

Then I'll burst into a stupid but-you-don't-understand fit only to be silenced by my own knowledge of His knowledge.

I walked away. Not too far, just a few steps down the hall.

I knew He was not coming after me this time, He will not come and comfort me like a baby. He's wanting me to grow, that much I understand. He won't come down here and give me that you-know-I'm-doing-this-because-I-love-you speech. He knows I know that full well.

I stood there. Muttering to myself. I didn't really understand what I was saying, all I know is that if I keep this locked up in me, I'd choke and die.

"Too many times, Ivan, too many times! How many more times do you plan on committing that same stupidity?!"

and then it all faded...

***

How long will you keep wearing the same chains I took off, two-thousand years ago?

– Deus, Deus vester

A New End

Light came forth as she stretched out her arms and focused on the practice dummy in front of her.

"Impressive," a man with dark long hair whispered as he neared the lady who seemed to be his age but somehow displays an unprecedented reverence for him "but not quite good enough."

He did his thing, with a snap of a finger, the dummy burned. Enveloped in crisp purple flames, the scarecrow like mannequin crumbled to dust.

"That's how you call forth flames." He glanced at the lady beside her, who now seemed more like a child than a lady.

"Yes, master." She nodded and positioned herself in front of the next dummy.

"Now focus." He said, and stepped back.

She stayed calm. Bowed her head, and remained silent. The winds of the Sahara whistled and swooshed as it was the only sound that filled acres and acres of vast nothingness.

She took in a deep breath, raised her head and -- BOOM.

"Hah," the man chuckled "I told you to burn it not make it explode. Looks like there's more to be taught."

Obviously disappointed in herself, she kept her head bowed.

The man walked towards an odd looking vehicle and started to climb in, but before he got into it, he shouted: "But don't worry, the Flames did not choose a wrong successor! In all my lifetimes as a familiar, this was the only time I saw a Warrior make such an explosion in her first day of training." He smiled a faint one and went on, "Now get in here and we still have lunch to worry about!"

The lady lifted her head up, wiped her tears, and started running towards him. "ITADAKIMASU!" she yelled.

And that was the beginning of the end, another Warrior has been chosen, another era has dawned, yet still the war goes on. Will this lifetime be the last cycle of Warriors? All humanity can only hope so.

--o--

Daru!!! <3 I was scrolling down the News Feeds of FB and saw your post

http://daruflame18.multiply.com/journal/item/4

I miss all those years when we kept writing stories like these!!!! Tama diba? You wrote this? :P Tsktsk. Emo ka nanaman Daru! XD

Oh well, here's a short reply(?)/response(?) to what you wrote! Haha. Sorry sabog yan SOBRA. Its 5AM at tinatamad pa akong matulog... Pero my brain is not functioning as creatively/logically as it should. Haha. Sabaw lang? Oh, and walang edit-edit yan ah, after sulat post agad XD

Miss you Daru!!!

Text me the moment you get to read this ah~

LOVE LOTS!

God bless~

--Kaze--

New Domain

http://theprodigalsaint.tumblr.com/

:)

Thanks! :)

FINALLY!

Things seem to somehow make more sense now... Of course, am still not THAT sure if its really the right way of piecing things together, but am hoping for it to be :)

There are a lot of things that I want to, and need to do.

I want to make it big, I want to go places, and I HAVE to do things...

They never seemed to be reconcilable, until today.

Well, of course there still are blind spots, but hey, if I can get to comprehend His mater plan... Then its no longer HIS plan now is it? :)

Three Things

ONE
Mountain Trekking is plain F.U.N. ^^ Yes, of course it was pretty tiring... Okay, enough with the euphemism... it WAS tiring. BUT WAIT! The summit was worth every aching muscle! What's more? It just reaffirmed how NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING shouts praises louder than creation! Atop that majestic mountain, I couldn't help but be in pure awe of how magnificent my God is! And that's not all... Apparently His creations weren't enough, He just had to make me realize: I was with you every faltering step of the way. If that doesn't send chills down your spine, then maybe you have yet to know how HE actually feels like.

The trip up was around 3 hours long, very painful on the legs and thighs, not to mention the heat from the ever present sun. The 2-hour trip back down was less painfulbut still it was, this time on your ankles and knees. AT LEAST though, at the third station of the mountain, there was a Halo-Halo (A Filipino cold treat, mixed fruits with jellies or what-nots, milk, some sugar, and crushed ice) stand! And there were coconut vendors up there too!


If the mountain was not enough, the beach was a definite plus! We camped by the shore, yeap, we slept in tents, cooked our own food, and fended for ourselves! (Haha, the last one not really true in the truest sense of the word.)

It was a camp out for our PE class, Walking For Fitness, and yes, its pretty peculiar how our walking class ended up hiking... But whatever! It was FUN!


TWO
PAPER CUPS!

Apparently, UP (University of the Philippines) is now taking pro-nature steps: plastic cups and stryofoam containers are not anymore allowed in our canteens!(Okay, so I'm not really sure about the memorandum that was issued out, but base on what little I know, I write.) Its not really that significant, but I don't know, somehow it just seemed like a nice thing to write about; and besides, I had this weird feeling holding the paper cup in my hand when I first bought a drink from one of our canteens that usually gave me my drink in a plastic cup. Well, I guess its just that bubbly feel that you have been part of something historic. Haha.


THREE
ARGH!!! I forgot the last thing I was going to write about =(