Emelie Won as the Best Speaker of last night's meeting! Let me share with you the winning piece of Emelie in this blog. Emelie's speech is full of emotions that I can't stop my tears as she delivers her speech project during our 376th Meeting as well as our 17th Year Club Anniversary. It was a wonderful celebration, and we are looking forward in seeing more of Emelie's speeches. Pathway Level # 2. Project # 2. Title: A Perfect GlassOur life is just like a perfect glass vase. And when it crack for any reason you can never fix it or glue it back. It will always be seen as crack.
In this life sometimes helping others may cause your mess up! Sometimes it is terrifying living in Jordan, terrified of proving yourself and terrified of helping others. There are times that we have to visit prison center , visiting Filipinas who were caught by the police because they are undocumented . Offering a bed to those who run away from their employers .Visiting sick people in Hospital , or visiting maternity center where some Filipinas born their babies without a father. Offering a message of hope to those Filipino in shelter house OWWA were some of them are abused by their employers. Teaching financial literacy program to Filipino community. Teaching Filipino children offering them a good and quality education based in the Philippine Curriculum. Transforming Filipinos from bad identity in this society to a good identified person. Like transforming drunkards, adulteress, gambler, fixing miss up lives into a life with a purpose.. Above all offering them a sincere prayer. But not knowing that helping others sometimes will cause us all to mess up our own life. Helping others clean up their mess and turns you to be a mess. And now you put on discouragement in your glass. Have you tried that you help a person and in return you become bad ? and then you add on regrets in your glass. Or have you ever tried a separation that you never anticipate, until the moment you realize that it is indeed true. Then you add failure in your glass. Sometimes the close person in your life are the ones that will hurt you the most. It might not be their intentions to hurt us but damage has been done. Heart is like a glass, so fragile that when it breaks you will find difficulty in repairing them. I don't understand how complex this heart is. The hurt that we felt might be for a moment and sometimes they are longer than what we thought. Then you add pain in our glass. Being hurt by the person whom you trusted the most brings great pain, but pain is easily soothe when we realize that, that person is, still a human and is subject to frailty. Sometimes we trust the person that even our deepest secret is revealed and the most quoted quotation become a reality: "Your best friend might be your greatest enemy". Have you experienced that the person whom you respected the most become part an object of your criticism? This only happens when the person doesn't show the person you to be. Did you know that it is unfair to him/her? We expect them to be what they should be when the reality is that they are also the same as we are... they also fail. The we add on bitterness in our glass. I have experienced all of these. I have done the best that I can to help somebody , to reach out in order to bridge the relation, to be a friend even to my enemy, to love even if other hates me, to be who I am. But though we have done good or doing the best for others. The first reaction might be denial, but later you will realize that this is the reality in life. Someone will stay and someone will leave. Someone will not appreciate the help that you offer. And that’s we continue to put hatred in our glass. We are all as human resonated of being imperfect , of being afraid constantly of making mistakes , worried of being judge but aspiring to be perfect. A pure perfect glass represents the unrealistic limitations that I choose to help and to love and forgive even if it cause our brokenness. What basis are you living with? Who told you not to follow your heart, who told you not to be yourself. Who told you not to forgive. What is holding you back? We can continue to live in fear ,in bitterness in pain , in discouragement and in hatred and keep that inside of or glass, carrying it in a days, weeks, months and even in a year. You cant able to sleep well, thinks well and decide well. But, I remember a brother who tap our shoulder during the time of our depression, he said, "In times like this don't be bitter but strive to be better!" By saying this, I feel better! SO I decided simply feel the fear and take action. I have to do an action even though it hurts. So I decided to Smash the glass……….. of fear to help even of it cause your downfall, smash the bitterness , smash the hatred from your enemy, smash the pain of broken relation…..smash the shame of dignity…..smash the pride and let humbleness arise… this hear that contains all the evil feeling. I decided to have a new and perfect glass ……. A purified heart where there is no room for pain and shame, regrets, bitterness and hatred … and I strive my self to acquire a Pure and perfect glass full of Love .. where it surpasses all understanding.
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Civilized and Sophisticated SocietyI am glad that though I am in the Middle East but Christmas is celebrated in this country. I love Jordan! What I'm going to tell share with you is our experience during our attendance to a Christmas Dinner hosted by a friend. Next to our side is a dance instructor, we been discussing to a lot of things and then of course his favorite topic "Dancing". What I learn from Dale Carnegie is that talk in other man's interest and you win a friend. In this case, I will be talking with him about dancing which I have a little problem, because both of my feet are left. I don't have to worry a bit, because for sure he will not force me to dance to perform.
Dancing he said is a form of meditation, and a symbol of social status in life. So he ask me, "Have you heard a dance called Tango?" "Of course, I do," is my reply, "but don't ask me to perform one!" and our table is filled with laughter. I explain to him that in High School and College we are obliged to perform, Cha-Cha, Tango, Salsa and other dances. To his amazement he said, "Your country indeed is a civilized and sophisticated society!" I was shocked to his remarks. Deep within, I am asking how this man define sophistication? Is dancing his basis of defining this word? Or is European culture become the basis of sophistication? Is sophistication equivalent to civilized society? Is his understanding with the Filipino culture is unlettered and uncivilized society? His definition might be different from what I understand. Or maybe I am just so defensive of our culture. My line of thinking might be so weird that only few people understands, but let me present my answers or should I say "my opinion" on the questions I presented above. His definition might be right if his basis will be the dictionary, since the word is define: "(1)having a good understanding of the way people behave and/or a good knowledge of culture and fashion; (2) having an understanding of the world and its ways, so that you are not easily fooled, and having an understanding of people and ideas without making them seem simple" This definition seems so close to what I believe, but I don't equate sophistication with being civilized. Another thing is that dancing is not the sole basis of sophistication neither the standards of the Europeans. We often based sophistication and being civilized by how Europeans behaved, but it should not be. Our Standards should be based in our morality, but sometimes morality nowadays is relative, depending on what part of the globe you are in. Some called it morally upright while others call it immoral. Whatever o whoever your basis with your sophistication, being civilized or morality, we should be a judge to any. Instead of being judgmental be tolerant. Man: A Complex PuzzleIn my lifetime I meet few people that I call "real friends". It doesn't mean that they don't hurt me ever, but I learn to accept them who they are are whether they hurt me or not. I call them friends because they are a "friend in need." Maybe you have heard a saying "A friend in need is a friend indeed!" As I look back I found out that I have friends in the past that no longer contacting me for more than a decade, WHY? My answer to that is the kind of friendship we develop. That friendship is what we called "Proximity Friend".They became your friends because you are living close to each other, or attending the same school, or working in the same workplace, or attending the same church. These friends will not be their in the special occasions of your life... like wedding, or the birth of your first child.
I have many friends and brothers in the faith, but sometimes the one you call "Brother" is not the one who shows true brotherhood. They are gone when you need advice, they have cold shoulders when you need theirs to cry on, they are extending their feet to stomp you down instead of giving their hands to get you out from the miry clay. Sometimes you would ask: "Where are you when I needed you the most?" BUT all you can see is the guilt in their eyes. They might not want to hurt you at that moment, maybe they are just thinking of the greater good and you have to be a sacrificial lamb just to save more people. For whatever reason they may have you can't deny the fact that you are hurt. Now I understand that the people whom you love the most is the one that can hurt you the most. Man seems so complex for me to understand. Last year he is your best friend, today he is your greatest enemy, or maybe the direct opposite: an enemy turns to be your best friend. What makes him/her to become like that? It is happening suddenly or it is just accumulated that you haven't notice them in the past? Sometimes (if not always) Big problems starts small, but because they are not noticed they become so big that it is already difficult to handle. Sometimes a simple insecurity can turn into an envy and an envy will turn into a hatred and eventually causes the person to decide drastically without even thinking of what might be the outcome of such action. He/she don't recognized how many people will be affected, or how much harm will it bring to the person. If man is complex women are more. Maybe somebody will be upset for me by saying this, but let me present my case! Every married couple understand this. When you don't answer your wife , she will say: "Why you are not answering me? You're doing something wrong, right?" When you also start to answer her question, she will say, "You are justifying yourself, that's why you cover up yourself with a lots of reasoning." What amaze me is not being a man or being a woman but how human thinks in general. Even I (if you consider me a human) have complexity in me that I don't even understand. Just like what happen lately upon hearing that my term will be ended and I will be transfer to a new assignment, thinks begun to change. It seems people become more valuable to you. It seems time is running so fast that you don't want to waste every single moment. For sure for other people who are not facing some changes as I am they might think that it is just another ordinary day, but for me, everyday is special and I have to treasure every moment left to me in this country. Every people have something to contribute, every incident have something to teach and every struggle become a learning process. My thinking this day becomes complex as I look at it, since I am not thinking this way five years ago. I never even plan to leave Jordan, but the goddess of fate leads me to take a new beginning and start all over again in a new country. It is true indeed that there is one thing that is constant... CHANGE! Attending Zone 2 Oikos Cell Meeting with an awesome topic: Pagningasin ang Apoy! AblazeLast night's Bible Study focused on the fire in the altar where Aaron and the priests offer to the Lord. The Lord is very specific in giving the instruction; "Keep the fire burning!" This might be a simple and concise instruction but some people find it difficulty in doing so. WHY?
Maybe because it needs consistency! In the good times and in the bad times stays the same. Unfortunately many Christians are trapped by little problems that causes their fire burn out. They tried to blow them to keep them burning but it seems their toil is in vain. They gone tired of blowing seeing no results of what they are doing. Most often we are expecting an immediate result of our efforts, but it is not always true to all scenario. Don't expect coconut trees to grow rapidly in week and bear fruits in 3 months. We are not planting mushrooms always that in few weeks you are ready to harvest. Sometimes we are planting Chinesse bamboo tree that we might be tenting the plants, watering them and taking care of them for five years but there is no evidence that it is growing, but just be diligent and consistent of what we are doing because deep down it is establishing its roots and wallah... in the 6th year you can see the growth that you've never seen in the past years. Another thing that we have seen in the fire is its elements: Heat, Oxygen and Fuel! When one of these elements is absent do't expect fire. That's why fire fighter knows his logic very well. Christian don't notice them in their spiritual journey, they want to be on fire but refuse to bring more fuel, they refuse Bible Reading, Prayer and Fasting, regular attendance to the church and many more. This is taken a day after our approval to become a Filipino Regional Missionary to Jordan 100 Days LeftWhat if someone will tell you that you will die after 100 days? What will you say and what will you do? This question seems a common question for ice breaker but they make sense when you are facing the same dilemma, it might not be literal death (a separation of body from soul) but a death of the ministry you love the most. A separation that you never anticipate, until the moment you realize that it is indeed true.
The first reaction might be denial, but later you will realize that this is the reality in life. Someone will stay and someone will leave. People come and go, but they always leave footprints in our hearts. The question is what kind of footprints they left behind? When this idea first came to my mind I have a lot of choices what will be the title of this when this become a book: (1) Footprints in the Promise Land: Lessons Learned in Jordan (2) 100 Days Before Goodbye: My Life Lessons (3)Life's Journey in the Ministry (4) Ministry Lessons for Young Preachers (5) etc. Don't tell me you will choose etc.! Title doesn't matter for me now. What matters is that I can pour out what is in my heart through this narration. I have learned that the people whom you loved the most are the ones that will hurt you the most. It might not be their intentions to hurt us but damage has been done.Heart is so fragile that when it breaks you will find difficulty in repairing them. I don't understand how complex this heart is. The hurt that we felt might be for a moment and sometimes they are longer than what we thought. What's important is to learn to forgive and love again. Being hurt by the person whom you trusted the most brings great pain, but pain is easily soothe when we realize that he/she is still a human and is subject to frailty. Sometimes we trust the person that even our deepest secret is revealed to him/her and the most quoted quotation become a reality: "Your best friend might be your greatest enemy". This sounds true but the movie "Ender's Game" portrays the opposite, it says that the more you know your greatest enemy you will eventually fell in love with him/her. Anyway, that's just how this little mind of mine reasons when some reality are difficult to be accepted. Have you experienced that the person whom you respected the most become part an object of your criticism? Maybe you did! This only happens when the person doesn't show the person you expect him/her to be. Did you know that it is unfair to him/her? We expect them to be what they should be when the reality is that they are also the same as we are... they also fail. When we are not tolerant enough we tend to criticize them because of their failure. The question is do they laugh when we fail? or Do the think of something to make us become better. I remember a brother who tap my shoulder during the time of my depression, he said, "In times like this don't be bitter but strive to be better!" By saying this, I feel better! 100 Days left for us before saying goodbye but works are still going. Tonight we will be going to a Bible Study/Cell Group/40Days Journey/One on One! A lot of slash isn't it? It is because it is the time that we do all of that in one session. Someones we have the one on one discipleship first before having a cell group, or sometimes we do it also as a time to follow-up the newly baptized. Each newly baptized is guided for 40 Days so that they have a daily inspiration as they start in their spiritual journey. Yes, we are busy but it doesn't show productivity sometimes. What I mean is that don't confuse productivity to busyness because not all busy people are productive. In tonight's Bible Study I want to be productive! This first day of writing this daily journalling seems so short but I want to share more in the next days of this Last 100 Days! Down the dusty road of nowhere,
Lies a life that people called extraordinary well. When somebody called it something, but the thinker just simply call them nothing. Is it really a waste of time to wait, and the thinker just tell you he's just enjoying the moment. When somebody called it waiting, but the thinker just call it reflecting. Arrogance and ego touches almost every action, and the world justifies them and call them compassion. When the world called it a work of love, but the thinker just call them self-love. People tend to laugh to cover one's sin, and sometimes outburst laughter ease the pain. When people call it happiness, but the thinker call them shallowness. How long will a man learn that when you think you're not really thinking. When you call them thinking, "Illusion" is how the thinker call them. Verse 1
Pagbating hilabihan, kanimo ko hikaplagan Gugma'ng tiunay sa Dios gihatagan Verse 2 Ikaw lang higugmaon, nag-inusarang panganduyon Babaye ka nga angay nga mahalon Chorus Sa altar sa kaminyoon, didto ko ikaw dalahon makigsaad nga ikaw lang mahalon ug higugmaon hangtod sa kamatayon Bridge Gugmant Tiunay, kanimo ko igasa sa kinabuhi ko, ikaw nag-inusara Sa Dios ipanumpa ang gugma ta Aron hiusaon sa tiunay'ng gugma Repeat Chorus This song was written few months before the wedding ceremony of Ojie and Emelie and this was sung during their wedding (February 27, 2007) |
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