Taking Time to Listen

"Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." --- Revelation 3:20 (NKJV).

In response to a Daily Encounter about the famed violinist, Fritz Kreisler, Martha Nixon, a good friend, who some years ago was the well-known soloist with the famed Neil Macaulay musical team, wrote to tell me about a fascinating experience Neil had some years ago.

On one occasion when Neil was in New York, "he paid a 'small fortune' to buy two tickets to hear the world famous violinist Fritz Kreisler play at New York's Carnegie Hall. Macaulay was himself a concert musician who had been heard around the world and highly valued the greater skill of the famous Fritz Kreisler. The performance was brilliant and worth the money spent on the tickets. Mid-concert, however, Kreisler made an amazing comment. 'The reason I'm a bit weary tonight,' he said, 'is because I played on the streets of New York all day today dressed as a busker (street musician) with my violin case opened for donations. It does me good to play for the people. But not one person stopped to listen, or gave me a cent!'"

Interesting that this famous musician was totally ignored amidst the rush and bustle of New York City life. People passing by didn't take the time to stop and listen. Instead, they turned a deaf ear to him. And yet, at night, people paid a high price to hear him. How sad.

But how much sadder when God "speaks" to us in innumerable ways and we turn a deaf ear to him because he doesn't appear to us in the way or manner which we expect. Even the religious people in Jesus' day who were actually looking for and expecting the Promised Messiah (Savior) totally missed him because he didn't appear in the way or manner that they expected.

So dear reader, whatever you do, don't turn a deaf ear to God who, in his still small voice may be whispering to you while he is knocking on the door of your heart and life today.

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Above was an e-mail sent to me by Kitty. I'm not really certain if she made it herself or if it's just a forwarded message. I'm just happy that she can still find time to share all those e-mail with me. I guess she has her own way of telling others about Christ.

Thanks again!!! I do appreciate it a lot!!! ;D

The Moon

I sat in front of the window, with my journal and a pen in my hand, as I quietly listen to the soft whisper of the cold breeze of the upcoming holidays. I just sat there, staring blankly at space, waiting for a subject that might acidentally stumble in for my next reflection.

I gazed up the dimming sky and saw the beauty of the waxing moon shining brightly upon the dark endlessness of the night. I was surprised, of course. Seeing stars and constellations have been a rare phenomenon for me. I thought the moon would be the same after weeks of hiding beneath those gray clouds at night.

Looking back, the moon has always shone brightly during my happiest and most peaceful times. Pressing the fast forward button, something tells me that its the current state of my journey. I'm so happy to feel at ease despite my everyday stresses. ('',)

Merged storms threaten RP

Seven people have died and tens of thousands evacuated from their homes as typhoon “Mina” (international name Mitag) approaches the northern Philippines, the National Disaster Coordinating Council reported yesterday.

Apart from Mina, which is expected to make landfall in Isabela province before dawn today, two other weather disturbances will hit the country in the next three days.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said super typhoon Mina has weakened but remains in the Philippine area of responsibility.

Pagasa director Prisco Nilo said typhoon Mina, which is moving toward the northeastern provinces of Aurora and Isabela, “influenced” the movement of tropical storm “Lando” (international name Hagibis), causing it to re-enter the country today after it ripped through the country last week.

Lando is expected to make landfall either today or tomorrow in Palawan.

The third weather disturbance, tropical depression “Nonoy” which has been monitored in the Pacific Ocean, is expected to enter the Philippine area by Thursday.

During a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday afternoon, Nilo said Nonoy would hover over the Philippine Sea, where it could meet and merge with Lando.

Six people drowned and one was electrocuted by a fallen power line in the Camarines provinces where the initial effects of Mina were felt.

Nilo said the two storms will likely head to Japan and are not expected to hit land, but could still trigger rains in the eastern seaboard.

Tropical storm Lando made a u-turn back into the central provinces or a weather phenomenon called the “Fujiwara effect” after it was pulled by typhoon Mina.

Nilo said: “Fujiwara effect takes place when a storm with stronger winds influences the direction of a nearby storm with weaker winds. There was an interaction between the two storms, Mina and Lando.”

Mina packs maximum sustained winds of 160 kilometers per hour near the center while Lando, which was headed for Vietnam before it turned back, has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center, Nilo said.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Mina was spotted at 180 kilometers north-northwest of Virac, Catanduanes or at 180 kms east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora, with gustiness of up to 195 kph.

Mina is expected to be at 50 kms west of Tuguegarao City this afternoon; 80 kms northwest of Laoag City tomorrow afternoon; and at 240 kms north-northwest of Laoag City or at 230 kms west of Basco, Batanes by Wednesday afternoon.

Mina made a turn toward Aurora and Isabela last Saturday after veering away from the Bicol region.

Pagasa said moderate to heavy rains are expected over northern Luzon today. Metro Manila will have cloudy skies and rainshowers starting today until tomorrow.

Pagasa warned residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under public storm warning signals against possible flash floods, mudslides and landslides.

Likewise, those living in coastal areas are advised to be alert for big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone.

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The article above was extracted from the news article of Cecille Suerte Felipe of the publication Philippine Star(November 26, 2007 ). If you want to read the rest of the article just click here.

I felt like the need to publish this article because of the growing concern over our brothers and sisters up there in Luzon. I have always been interested in the ever-changing weather and climatic conditions experienced all around the globe because of Global Warming. As we can remember, the Philippines experienced a prolonged dry spell over the first months of the supposed rainy season. This extended summer caused a great deal of concern among us as many suffered from heat stroke and as a threat on energy matters emerged because of the great decline of water in our the main dams.

But now that the rain has come, I think we are having too many... too many typhoons! The "Fujiwara Effect" came into picture after I read this article. It's scary. Who knows what destructive forces 2 merged storms may bring us!!!

---

When a fellowship is strained or broken. 

Plan a peace conference right immediately. 

Delay only deepens resentment and makes matters worse. 

In conflict, time heals nothing; it causes hurts to fester. 

Rick Warren, Purpose-Driven Life

36 CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

A special someone sent me this e-mail just in time when I was feeling depressed, empty, and all out of faith. It was really heartwarming which truly appreciated a lot. Thanks... It really meant a lot to me...
 

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

•   Pray.
•   Go to bed on time.
•   Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
•   Say 'No' to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
•   Delegate tasks to capable others.
•   Simplify and unclutter your life.
•   Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
•   Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
•   Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
•   Take one day at a time.
•   Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God w ould have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
•   Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
•   Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
•   K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
•   Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
•   Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
•   Get enough rest.
•   Eat right.
•   Get organized so everything has its place.
•   Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
•   Write down thoughts and inspirations.
•   Every day, find time to be alone.
•   Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
•   Make friends with Godly people.
•   Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
•   Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
•   Laugh.
•   Laugh some more!
•   Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
•   Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
•   Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most.)
•   Sit on your ego.
•   T alk less; listen more.
•   Slow down.
•   Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe
•   Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

White Butterfly

I've been questioning myself about my existence and purpose(once again...) since I woke up this morning and I've been very moody and irritated all day. I felt emptiness and despair for some unexplainable reason. A part of me was urging me to pray, telling me to seek guidance to the Higher One who can really help, but the other one was holding me back, saying to keep it all for myself.

I was busy sulking in the jeepney as I rode my way to school when everything seemed to turn upside-down as a sign from heaven showed up - a little white butterfly that I saw hovering just behind my left ear. It was there for a millisecond or so then vanished mysteriously into thin air. I know it was weird but somehow it pulled my heart back to God when a weird message registered in my head saying everything will be just okay and that there's no need to worry about anything. I almost broke down in tears there had I not considered the worried faces and reactions of the other passengers.

I never saw that butterfly for the rest of the trip but throughout the day I almost counted the large number of butterflies I normally don't notice on a usual day.

Except death anniversaries and Undas where a black butterfly is commonly seen, I never really cared about seeing butterflies until this very day.

Grave of Fireflies

A grave silence engulfs the world. the wind whispers solemnly and the day spells sadness.

We have a fairly good weather today. The sky is not blue yet there's no sign of any nimbus. We came home yesterday from Batangas, our province, after visiting some of our departed loved ones. Every thing's quite new in comparison to last year. So many things have changed. Everything except the star-filled sky and the long forgotten tombstones of the same old municipal cemetery.

November 1 and 2 have always been special to me. I consider it as one of those "reunion" days where in all of us that bears Pascua in our names(my mom's side of the family tree) get together to pray for the souls of our departed loved ones. It's a rare occasion for me since I only get to see our Pascua family as a whole twice every year, that is, every Undas and Christmas.

But this year proved me wrong. It sure is different from my younger years there in our province. I never get to see Pascua family as a whole because some of my cousins have work(even though its a holiday!). Another one's in Japan and some are busy taking care of the young angels that are new in the family. Unfortunately, two graves were also added in the list of who-to-visit this year. It's just plain sad.

I stared blankly at the candles as they slowly burn their wick of existence. It's all I could do all night. I pictured a whole bunch of fireflies hovering above the tombstones of our grandparents. I quietly sat there looking at the melted candle wax that I call art. And I gazed up to see lost constellations that I never saw here in the city.

Tombstones and graveyards have a different kind of appeal on me. They enclose a great deal of emotion in them. They may be repainted over and over again every year but the amount of anguish they carry will never be lost and will always resurface. They may be forgotten but beneath those stones and walls will always be a voice that will forever shout the same old stories.

I think that's what makes them really beautiful.

This year I'm not crying over the pain of losing a loved one. Instead, I found myself grieving over those who are still alive but are not by my side.