THIS LOLA STRETCHES CHRISTMAS (originally published 12/22/2012 on OMFLit Wordpress)

I've accumulated a chock-full of Christmases. Fun they’ve mostly been, especially in my younger days when İ was at the receiving end of the gift-giving funnel. “Mano po Ninong,” aginaldo na—kwarta o kahon!(Kiss godparent's hand, receive cash or goodies in return!)

But as I got older and became ninang to many, Christmases pounced more like hurricane Pablo,  mercilessly tearing my highly fortified wallet and poise.

Always hurried to buy this or that gift for someone or ourselves after receiving our 13th month cash downpour, İ always ended up with—horrors!—comatose, er… flatlined finances.

Compounding my yulelistlessness was the need to rush from one Christmas party to another.  İf you were employed in a company like the last İ worked with, we head office types had to make our presence felt in as many facilities’ parties as possible. Add to these your “obligation” to attend family and friends’ events, and you had a recipe for one humongously migrainous holiday.

But İ’ve for sometime  been singing a different Christmas carol.

“God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Saviour…”

None of these words suggest “shop and spend like crazy,” or “party, eat and drink like there’s no tomorrow.” “Frenzy” is not in the Christmas dictionary.

Christmas is about Jesus, the Son of God, forsaking His heavenly glory to save sinful humanity. Ever since İ received Christ as my Lord and Savior, my Christmas took on new form, turning my everyday into Christmas.

“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,” says the Bible (Romans 13:14). That suggests a daily camp-in with Jesus, because...

Everyday problems assault us. But with Christ, we overcome. 

Tired from all your toiling? Jesus gives you peace within.

Sick? İ am healed by the stripes of Jesus.

So instead of making much ado about one special day, concern all your days with Jesus.

What Christ revealed of Himself in the bible, we chew on everyday. The more Christ-like we become, the more Christmas-sy our days turn.

So I can’t sulk at all that our two children and their families who live overseas won’t be home this Christmas. İ’m thankful enough for my recent opportunity to fly to the US and be Lola to my new granddaughter Natalie.  Did we get to celebrate Christmas?

This APOstolic (apo is the vernacular for grandkid) mission was Christmas all the way. Everyday with apowas Jesus day: singing Jesus songs, praying Jesus’ Word, living Jesus’ character. The latter may sometimes be a struggle, but with Jesus in you,  Christmas will definitely show up. This Lola’s back and knees might scream everytime I carried Natalie, but with the Christmas spirit in me, I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me.

A grandparent’s lap is the biggest lap in the world, İ wrote in my book “Grandparenting: Happiness and Hard Work.” Jesus’ lap is incomparable. And all of us are welcome there. That’s Christmas 24/7!

ELEGANT BRUSH

 

Julie Gil at her recent exhibit

Think of someone/something whom/which you may consider elegant. 

A royal? A celebrity? A palace? A painting? 

The word elegant is synonymous with classy, graceful, exquisite, tasteful. 

I'm no art critic or connoisseur. But lately, I've become an avid fan of a good friend's watercolor paintings. And that's my recent brush with elegance, pun intended. 😄

Julie Santos Gil recently had her paintings exhibited in the recent PlantitosYPlantitas Plant and Painting Exhibit at the Art Lounge Manila Gallery. 

My wanna-be-but-hardly-there-artist-self is in awe of Julie's watercolor tinkerings. Though vivid and lifelike and earthy, her images---or the concepts they project---are ethereal and profound, with their colors and strokes seemingly ordered by the daintiest of fingers

This is as far as I go to describe Julie's art. It would be a disservice if I fall short of words. I'll let her creations do the talking. 

It's hard to paint with watercolor. I've tried painting with watercolor and the results were just one faded glory after another faded glory. Most artists would agree that watercoloring is pretty challenging.

Julie is one of the few who have mastered the medium. But she's not just a craftsman. Her art projects soul---an elegant and deep one. Though channeling peace or awe or beauty, it nonetheless stirs something within. 

Unity in contrast. That's Julie's recurring theme. Her paintings have been exhibited in various art watering holes. Armed with Fine Arts and Interior Design degrees, Julie dabbled with advertising and public relations for sometime; then set up her own enterprise, Final Touch Designs---adding a breath of elegance to the interior spaces and floral accents of banks, hotels, and homes of celebrities. 

Elegance is a word I hardly use. But the word fits Julie and her art to a T. 

Julie and I have been friends for years--more like spiritual siblings because we both sang in our church's  worship team. Her heart always surrendered to the Lord, she faithfully worship-led our congregation most Sundays. And what a sister she'd been to us! 

So now you know why the word elegance kept recurring as I prepared this piece. 

I love this family: Dino, Julie, Nikki and Danni

Julie applies this same spirit---quiet dignity, integrity, and care---in whatever she does, whether it's in ushering people into God's presence, sketching an itty-bitty worm, designing a family's new abode, making a hotel lobby come to life with her floral creations. Or being a compassionate friend who listens to your woes, or cries and prays with you when you're down. And being a supportive wife and mom and grandma. 

"As an artist, I'm called to a mission," she says. "May God find me faithful."

Julie loves nature subjects. 

"Nature is very calming.  Chirping birds. Water droplets touching silent plants. Breeze caressing your face. All these can put your mind at ease. Art is the same way.  Find your corner. Shut the world outside. In your own little world, your cares disappear for a moment. Create. Pour your heart into it. You've found your rest. When God was done creating, He said, 'It was very good.' 

"Nature is a prime source of insights and lessons on our experience as humans. Some of my subjects--Hope, Resilience, Harmony, Interdependence, Purpose, Anonymity, Bloom (where you are planted), Metamorphosis: Trust in the Timing of your Life, Divine Exchange (your sorrow for joy)--are concepts found in nature. They mirror human strivings for survival and happiness. It's fulfilling... to capture those concepts on canvas and inspire my audience with their messages. 

"I guess that’s what we need to do this pandemic. Find your little corner. Create something which will benefit others: your art, food trays, stylized face masks, literary works. You'll find yourself rested and recharged.

"I love the emotional experience of creating an art piece.  It’s like writing a book and creating a visual message that will get into somebody’s hands , somebody’s life and that’s the most exciting part."  

Julie weighs in on her favorite color.  

"I always  get excited when I can blend in a little purple pigment. Purple, according to Google, combines the calm stability of blue and the fierce energy of red! 

"Well what do you know, that describes me, J!" she exclaims. 

Fierceness and stability. Unity in contrast. That's Julie. 

I knew Julie, the person and the worshipper, before I knew her as an artist. Today, I believe she's happiest performing the role of doting grandma to Finn and Maddie (by Nikki, the other famous Gil), and Marta (by younger daughter Danni); and supportive helpmate to Dino, her equally wonderful and gifted hubby. 

Elegant, don't you think? That deserves some ladies' lunch out. Right, Julie, Desa, Susanne, Janice? Or a Praise and Worship team reunion? Music please, Dino! 

SPIN DOCTORS

 

Image credit: National Geographic Kids

Been on a roller coaster ride? 

One polled individual says "it's euphoric... made her feel like a god... thoughts disappeared... mind went silent."

Oops! How's that again? Just because of a crazy spin? 

Spin doctors have been around since the garden of Eden. A slithery creature hissed that Adam and Eve could be like God. So they fell for the ruse. Fake news inaugural right there! 

Pastor Steve Houston (San Diego Christian Fellowship) warned us last Sunday against a perverted view of things. 

"We must set our sights right," he says, cautioning us against a distorted view of history, marriage, certain ethnic groups or races—because these same skewed views can be passed around, and around, and influence many more until they become the more popular views. Cool, politically correct, they say.

Speak the truth or contrariwise, and their devotees are all of a sudden up in arms, ganging up on intolerant puritanical you.

Cases in point: 

How has evolution replaced the fact that God created you and me and the entire universe? 

Why has abortion or sleeping around or choosing your own sexual orientation become the norm in these parts? 

Distortion nation. That's what most societies have become. 

The moment you start referring to a girl as he, or a boy she, pray! 

In the Philippines, voters are utterly confused about which presidential candidate to vote for. Fanged fake news purveyors and trollers have snared even believers to disregard the blatant abuses, bullying and abuses of those in power. 

We are always being taken for a fake joy-ride but we are largely unaware. I myself am confused about the crisscrossing news on covid-19 and vaccination. 

Not everything is to be believed! 

We know the major purveyors of spin. So be careful which channel or site you click. Social media algorithms will surely send you more fakes. 

Where then can we find truth? The written Word! The Word of God should be our go-to source of truth, especially when we are confused and unsure of what to believe. 

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105

The Word of God comes with a live magnifying glass—the Holy Spirit. He illumines, teaches, and guides us into all truth. 

We all need a dollop of discernment—just the right amount when we need it—and that's possible only with Jesus being in us. 

Right and wrong will be clear as day and night! 

So refuse to be snagged in an upside-down roller-coaster ride. 

Turn to Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. Your lens will be way brighter, cleaner, clearer. 

THOROUGHBRED

Image credit: Unsplash

Thoroughbred horses are your best horse racing bets. They're agile and fast and spirited—hot-blooded—per Wikipedia. 

Merriam-Webster defines thorough as a quality of being "careful about doing something in an accurate and exact way". 

So if you're meticulous, exhaustive and does something painstakingly, you're thorough. 

It's a quality one would appreciate among scientists, forensic investigators or surgeons. Mechanics, machinists, and seamstresses too. 

Imagine a murderer getting scott-free or your car running wobbly—because the forensic investigator or your car mechanic does a lousy job. 

Thoroughness is a God-given ability only humans possess. We've been wired that way. That's why after God was done creating man, He cried out, "Very good!"

Genesis 1:27 says that God created man in His own image. And who is God? Only the creator of the heavens and the earth! A universe so grand—with perfectly-positioned and purposed elements—could only be possible because behind it is a mighty, meticulous and thorough creator and thinker!

If we are made in His image, then we are capable! Man is hard-wired to be productive. And excel at being productive. 

It starts with thoroughness. Jesus calls it faithfulness.

Luke 16:10a "One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much..."

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

That's why we can't pooh-pooh the little details which we need to attend to on a daily basis: 

Hygiene, especially with covid running amuck around us. How much effort will hand-washing or simply wiping spills or grime cost ? 

In your place of work, what will following procedures or the system, and being precise, mean? Would a properly-installed screw or a rivet make a difference for a car tire (and your safety) or a ship? 

"Untergang der Titanic" by Willy Stöwer, 
1912. Wikipedia

Trivia: Some investigators (and there had been many) assert that rivets used in the 460,000-ton Titanic are to blame.

 

"The Titanic sank in fewer than three hours... 1,517 people died. If the rivets had been stronger, the ship might have stayed afloat longer and more people might have been rescued..." (educationworld website) 

Unskilled or unfaithful workers? They're a dime a dozen. So if you're a boss, be careful whom you hire. 

There's a danger though to being uber-thorough. Thoroughbred horses, being hot blooded, perform to the max; they're therefore prone to accidents, abnormal hearts, and infertility. 

Very much like a human who over-exerts, don't you think? A person who excels can become intolerant of others. "Not in my league," he scoffs. 

That's pride. Psalm 73 says the arrogant brag to the sky, make fun of others, and wear pride as their necklace.

So be thorough. Be faithful. Be an expert in what you do. But don't be overly stressed or be OC (obsessive-compulsive). Be sober-minded and humble. For the Lord lifts up the humble and brings down the proud. Yes, you'll fail sometime. You're but dust, remember? 

That's why you need to put your faith in someone who knows better and has your life in the palm of His mighty hand. He's got your back! 

DEAD OR ALIVE

Image credit: Philip J. Currie. Dinosaur Museum

Walking dead. Most of us were, before Christ. Why? 

Because though we breathed and ate and went about life, we were dead—because God's spirit was not in us. We can blame Adam and Eve all we want, but that's the truth; sin passed down from generation to generation has separated us from God. 

Genesis 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned... 

Have you noticed how you and I so easily lusted, lied, schemed, and craved power or attention—as if the world revolved around us? These may not have been overt behavior but they nonetheless percolated in our minds and hearts. 

As far as Jesus is concerned, you've murdered someone even if you just thought it. Notice how pornography and the sleazy images you've googled encamp in your mind, goading you to google more of it? Or when you've been hooked on gambling or drinking or dope, you could not get out of it? 

We need not be the walking dead any longer. 

Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our Creator—the mighty God—came down from His heavenly throne to save us. He took on the form of man. Taught us the way back to the Father. Then died the most horrible way, nailing our sin on the cross with Him. That we may die to sin and live again! 

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

That's what being born again is all about. It's no longer I who live, but Christ in me! 

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.A lot of baloney, some say. Concocted by feeble minds—escapists who retreat to religion or delusions because they're incapable of facing life's issues squarely on their face.

Yet who can argue with millions all over the world whose lives have been changed? 

Paul—a Pharisee of the Pharisees, self-righteous and arrogant—met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Changed! How many more Pauls are out there today sharing and preaching the gospel, braving ridicule (yes, even from their families), persecution and death, because they've followed Jesus. 

How many would testify they were almost suicidal, without hope, hateful, unforgiving, their lives a total mess—walking dead—yet met Jesus; and they began to live again.

Jesus came that you and I may have life. Eternal. Abundant. Overflowing. Full of peace and joy. Yes, in spite of pestilence or wars or earthquakes or tsunamis. And yes, in spite of yourself! How can anyone say no to that? 

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your love. You are God yet you've reached down to save me from myself. I repent of my sins. I confess you as my Savior and my Lord. Help me to obey. In your most precious name, I pray. Amen. 

SKEWERED

Image credit: https://www.integrify.com

Are you ready for this?

“Bacon May Disappear in California as Pig Rules Take Effect,” headline.

“Animal welfare organizations for years have been pushing for more humane treatment of farm animals but the California rules could be a rare case of consumers clearly paying a price for their beliefs,” per recent Yahoo news.

The state will in a few months enforce a law requiring “more space for breeding pigs, egg-laying chickens and veal calves”. It seems the entire poultry industry has already been compliant; but most hog raisers are not.

Sorry, pork might soon just be a figment of your foodie fantasies.   

What?! No more lechon kawali, barbeque, chicharon?  What about adobo and sinigang? I grieve.

On second thought, that may well spell our freedom from cholesterol. Well, not quite, if you fancy steak or bistek.  

Image credit: Pinclipart

Being concerned with animal welfare makes sense. Well-cared for animals means healthier menudo for you and me.

Yet something is skewed. If politicians and activists disregard the most important of rights—the right of humans to exist—what right have they to champion animal or mushroom rights?

Let’s consider “right to life”. US abortion statistics: 63 million abortions from 1973 to 2017. (Guttmacher Institute’s data as reported by Christian Life Resources.) Interesting fact: California data have not been reported since 1998.

Call it right to choose. Yet, when has choice or convenience replaced a human being’s right to exist? 

Most of these cases are unwanted pregnancies. “It’s my body so I can do with it as I please,” they reason out.  

Really? To end a life because it is convenient? How about educating women to accept responsibility if in fact their pregnancies are unplanned; and ensuring that their babies are loved and cared for anyway, either by them or by others?  

Human babies don’t even come close to pigs or dogs!

A baby in a woman’s womb is not just a bunch of tissues as some doctors claim. Unlike an animal, to  which the pronoun “it” applies, a fetus is a “he” or a “she” once determined through ultrasound at approximately four  months.

God, being infinite, already foreknew that unformed baby way ahead of his or her birthdate.   

David (Psalm 139: 13,14b,15,16)  said, “For  you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”

The Lord told the prophet Jeremiah (1:5): “Before I formed you in the womb, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

God’s purpose makes everyone’s life worthwhile—worthwhile saving, keeping, preserving. As is—male or female.

Genesis 1:27—“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.”

Baffling, isn’t it? While politicians and special interest groups rave about animal rights and other so-called rights, they won’t bat an eyelash about trashing human life or upholding the truth. Man is born male, woman female. Period. They even penalize those who refute their skewed narrative.   

And these laws are messing people’s lives. Just three examples: Parents prevented from meddling if their school-age children opt for sex change. Abortion extended to nearly full-term babies. Transgender males now allowed in women’s sports.

Good thing some US states are fighting back.

But isn’t it utter folly!? We’re being skewered by a godless ideology hiding behind the cloak of laws. So we better watch it or we’ll suffer the full brunt of ‘justice’, warn their proponents.

What happens when a country’s man-made laws take precedence over God-ordained laws, or its citizens idly or willingly go with this flow? Disaster, perhaps.

It’s simple: Unwise leadership yields bad laws. Israel, exhibit A. The nation suffered God’s wrath when  evil leaders reigned, yet flourished under godly leadership and wise laws. Corrupt leadership is a malignant tumor which permeates the very core of our being—the family.     

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows,” Galatians 6:7. 

PRAY, yes! But also DO, when it is within your power to do something about it. May the Lord relent and not judge us according to our folly.   

WHAT IS LOVE, REALLY?

"The Little Prince" asks the meaning
of love. Image credit: 
https://www.columbiaarts.org/
events/the-little-prince/

What is love? Paul tackles that in 1 Corinthians. 

As I read about it, this came to mind: what is the opposite of love?

Self-indulgence? Selfishness? Arrogance? Envy? Hatred? Anger? Rebellion? 

Not one word qualifies but all of them seem to make up the whole bunch of what love is not all about. And what they're a product of. 

They are varying degrees of what love is not. Self-indulgence leads to selfishness to arrogance to envy to hatred to anger to rebellion as one's self-esteem gets provoked by pride. The Bible cautions us again and again about not falling into any of these. 

The best cure-all antidote? Love! 

I love the way Paul tackles it in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Noticed something? Paul did not talk about sensual or physical love. Because God is the source of love. Its object is our greatest good—to save us from perishing and make us enjoy eternity with Him. 

"For God SO LOVED The world that He gave His only begotten Son, but whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life," John 3:16.

Love comes full circle in God! So it could/should never be used as an excuse for self-indulgence, or extra-marital or same sex relationships—which the Lord cautions us against. 

Because love used against itself leads to many more waywardness—carousing, rebellion, division of families, destruction of lives. The meaning of love has so been perverted in our current generation that many among the young no longer recognize love for what it truly is. 

God is love! (1John 4:8)

Apart from God's intention, love becomes a perversion—contrary to everything He is. Only through His Word can we truly love. 

Oh that we may teach our children to love God and His Word so that as they mature and develop relationships outside of the family, they may love the way God wants them to love. And live within His grace! 

ACTIVATE

"Make your verbs work!" My two-cents worth for corporate types and writer wannabes attending my Effective Writing seminars. 

For example, instead of, "She is fond of surfing," write, "She loves to surf." Why not this:  "The sun shone," in place of, "The sun was shining." 

Verbs trapped beneath "is", "are", "-ing" weaken your writing; so as much as you can, activate them to make your prose livelier, flowing and thus easier to read. 

With that tiny grammar tip, let's segue to my main point: 

Do you know that we can also trap God's word, making it of no effect or passive in our lives? Yet, the Bible says that the Word of God is alive and active. The Word sees action in the believer. 

We may call ourselves Christians but is His Word demonstrated through us? 

"My son, if your receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom, and inclining your heart to understanding..." (Proverbs 2:1-2) "then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." (verse 5)

We may know the drill. Read the Bible. God to church. Listen to preachings. Pray. 

We even share and read verses. Words, words, words! 

We're bombarded by biblical blogs and vlogs. (Like what I often do! 😊) Worship songs accompany our driving. 

Yet, do they see Jesus in our actions, in our attitude, in the way we treat others? 

To reflect Jesus, one must first be His son—verse 1, "My son..." 

We become sons of God through Jesus alone! 

John 1:12—But to all who did receive Him, who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. 

Sonship is a gift He confers on those who trust in Him and bow down to His Lordship. No one else should come close. 

It is a privilege which we must handle with care and awe. Only then can we acquire wisdom and thus be upright, doing what is right by Him, even if everyone goes the opposite way, as the rest of Proverbs 2 teaches. 

Proverbs 2 outlines the following keys to activating the Word in us: 

• Treasure His commandments, v 1. Have you hidden His teachings in your heart so that when tempted, your auto-mode is to cling to Him? You obey Him no matter what, because you've been assured: He's for you, not against you. And He'll give you the victory. 

• Make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding, v 2. Activate your ears too. Be quick to listen to His voice. 

• Call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, v 3. Pray. Cry out to Him. He's online 24/7! He never takes a break or have a tantrum or a bad hair day. 

• Seek His Word like silver or hidden treasure, v 4. Miners tear through tons and tons of earth for precious diamonds and rubies. Dig, dig, dig. That too is how you get a revelation of God's Word—His greatness, His promises, His perfect will and plan for you. 

You are the light of the world, says Jesus. Light hidden from view makes darkness still dark. Drive without your car lights on at night. You'll not only endanger pedestrians and oncoming cars; they'll even curse you. Sadly, many unbelievers call Christians out—because their lights flicker! 

Would you choose today to be light? Then be His son first. 

Pray: Jesus, I confess you as my Savior and Lord. Forgive me for my sins. Holy Spirit, guide me, lead me and teach me. Activate your Word in me. in Jesus' mighty name. 

TODAY'S FORECAST: CLOUDY WITH TRUMPET BLAST

My grandkid Natalie's depiction of clouds.
I wonder which cloud we'll land in on the rapture.

Recall your toddler days' nifty doodles of cats and dogs, flowers and trees, sun and clouds? 

Our three year-old grandchild habitually punctuates her nature doodlings with the sun shining at the corner of each drawing. 

Kids have this uncanny ability to discern God's beautiful creation, don't they? 

Take clouds, for example. Wispy white or eerie gray, they speak of God's glory. 

Remember how God caused the cloud to hover above the Israelites—to lead and protect them from the sun by day—while they wandered in the wilderness? 

Exodus 13:21-22 "By day, the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." 

Acts 1:9, after our resurrected Lord told his disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes: "He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight." Jesus' disciples saw Jesus go up to heaven! In a cloud. 

We who are still alive await another cloud-filled phenomenon: 1Thesalonians 4:16-17 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 

Why do believers all over the world look forward to this event? It's a promise given to His disciples after Jesus ascended to heaven. 

Acts 1:10-11 "And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold two men stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who was taken up from you, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven." 

Bah, fairy tale, many claim. Come on, was it all an illusion that Jesus was with them—in the flesh; and proved Himself to be the Son of God because of all His wondrous miracles and teachings which changed the lives of those who believed? 

How can changed hearts and lives be the stuff of fairy tales? 

Testimonies of changed lives abound. God's love is real. Life-altering. Pride-busting.  

Jesus is what He says He is. And whatever He promised, He will fulfill—as the ones He did for His earlier disciples. 

So look to the clouds, brethren! Our redemption is near! Set your toddler eyes on Jesus. 

Believe not only with your mind, but with your heart, that Jesus alone saves. He promised to take us to be with Him. It doesn't matter if we die physically and pass over to eternal life now; or if we're raptured. 

Imagine this when the rapture happens: We're sound asleep. Or on a plane. Or doing house chores. The trumpet sounds. In the blink of an eye, we find ourselves in the cloud. Everyone rejoices. The whole of heaven celebrates!  

Jesus Himself welcomes us in the cloud—not on the cloud. I imagine that to be the most gigantic, palatial cloud of all. Wouldn't that be just nifty? 

Jesus will do exactly as He promised. Promise!

Prayer: Jesus, you came to save us. I acknowledge you as my Savior and Lord. Forgive me for my sins. Help me to believe in your finished work at the cross. Help me to believe that you have indeed made a special place for me with you for all eternity. Holy Spirit, lead me, guide me. In Your name, I pray. 

CONTROLLING INTEREST

Artwork courtesy of OMF Literature

Fond of pressuring and seeing others bow to your point of view? 

Are you in the habit of dictating others on stuff they're quite capable of doing, or giving advice even if they're not asking for it? 

Do you catch yourself doing all the talking and cut others off if they dare share their own ideas? 

Making others do things your way. That's your greatest obsession. 

Decidedly control freakish! Exhibit A for a "me, myself and I"--center-of-the-world--diagnosis. 

Don't look around. We're all guilty. In varying degrees. 

The need to take control and be a know-it-all is as old as the story of Adam and Eve. Remember how they caved in to Satan's honey-coated coaxing? To be the boss and be on top of every situation are guaranteed ego-boosters! 

"Genesis 3: 6 "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food... was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate... and also gave some to her husband..." 

I recently watched two Netflix features. 

Image credit: Netflix

One was about 60s-80s US fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick who skyrocketed to fame because Jackie Kennedy wore one of his pillbox hats at her husband's presidential inauguration. The Halston brand then invaded other fashion lines and quickly became a household name--the envy of every aspiring designer. 

Alec Baldwin channels Delorean
Image credit: Netflix

John Delorean's was a documentary. A gifted engineer, he clawed his way to the top of General Motor's stiff-upper-lipped managent team. Almost became the number one boss. But his non-conforming and manipulative style pushed him to the resign-or-be-fired-out door. It was just the break he needed to put up his own disruptive car company. The Delorean brand soon became iconic. 

Both characters found themselves crashing towards the end of their careers. You have to watch the movie and documentary for the details. 

Their common denominator? Heads puffed up, Halston and Delorean felt invincible--unrestrainable--as they ascended Mount Pride--where insatiable lifestyles, rule-breaking, arrogance, and manipulation of others, were the norm. 

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

CS Lewis pointedly puts it. "Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. It is the comparison that makes you proud. The pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition is gone, pride is gone."

Halston lost his name. He had no choice but to allow his investors to buy him out. He died of AIDS—after an intoxicating lifestyle of dope and sex and over-the-top sensual pleasures. 

Delorean dealt with a drug-smuggling scandal to, would you believe, finance his crumbling empire. Stupid choice, for a man so brilliant. Cost him his family too. 

They thought they could out-do God by lifting themselves up as gods. Adam-Eve story all over again. They got busted even before they could cry, "Help, I'm drowning in my vomit!" 

What was all the huffing and puffing really all about? For zilch? Disgrace?  

Are you a young person, gifted, at the top of your game? 

Realize this—you're not the controlling interest. God is. He's got so much invested in you, He'd want you to succeed. 

The earlier you give your heart to Him and allow Him to retool your I-me-myself-prone attitude, the happier you'll be.

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see who I really am in your sight. I have been created in your image; therefore I'm capable. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Yet, let me be subject to your plan, your rules.  I confess that genuine success is in you alone, not in money or possessions or temporary pleasures. Help me, Holy Spirit. in Jesus' name. Amen. 

GENTLE WHISPER

Image credit: Toa Heftiba. Unsplash.com

Fond of talking in whispers? Well, don't! Whispering is not healthy. 

I once overused my vocal chords. The doctor ordered: 

No talking. No singing. And no whispering. For three straight months! These happened thrice in a space of three years. And with these, a lengthy voice therapy.

During those times, I had to take a vacation from teaching, my modest source of income after retirement from corporate life. Sadder still, I could not sing in church. 

It was sheer agony—to not speak or sing when I needed or wanted to. Attempting to talk in whispers made my condition worse. 

Do you know that the Bible cautions us against whispering? "Where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases," Proverbs 26:20. 

Not only does whispering abuse your vocal chords; it also causes tension with others. 

Why? Be in a room where two people speak in whispers. Next thing you know, others are egging them to just blurt it out, "What's all the secrecy about?" Start of a gossip marathon? 

Gossip is juicy, ain't it? 

Or someone's whispering triggers this in you, "Were they talking about me?" 

Slander. Gossip. Resentment. Suspicion. Malice. They're all part of the whispering coven. 

The same verse in Proverbs 26 says that "for lack of firewood, the fire goes out". A whisper is like a tiny ember which, when it touches the leaves and branches around it, bursts into a fiery flame. Bush fires and the deadly havoc they cause start this way. 

Forests regrow. Broken lives are harder to rebuild. So don't be sucked in by whispers. 

One type of whispering we must desire. 

1Kings 19:12 "Rather than such attention-grabbing spectacles, God came to Elijah softly and discreetly in a 'gentle whisper'." The prophet searched for God in the wind, the earthquake and the fire. The Lord wasn't in any of these. 

God's presence was clear—via a gentle whisper. His voice, though small and whispered, is much more powerful than any of those forces. It blows His Word clearly, intimately straight into our hearts. 

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 

The next time you read His Word or pray, may His gentle whisper awaken the truth, and His peace and grace, in your heart. And make us kinder and not be so rash to descend into careless whispers. 

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my careless whispers—those times when I gossiped or slandered about others. Help me instead to train my ears to listen to you—Your Word; and to pray and be still, and not let me be overtaken by my own thoughts and fears. Teach me, Jesus. Amen.