Forgive and (?) Forget

When you get deeply hurt, human nature will tell you to hurt back... to get revenge... to make him feel at least a pinch of what you're feeling. So when I chose to forgive, many were surprised. Before any violent reactions, here's what I think:

Forgiving is NEVER EQUAL to forgetting. Forgiving doesn't make things okay. Up to now, I still feel tugs of pain whenever I see or hear things, moments, songs that remind me of the past and the recent events. There's no more crying, but there's still pain. Healing takes time, so I'm just looking forward to the point when the pain's completely gone. Right now, I'm just letting God and nature take their course. But... even with the pain gone, I don't think it's possible to forget. The lying and the cheating will always be there, carved on stone.

To forgive, however, is a different story. If it were up to me, I'd rather let people wallow in guilt and sleepless nights especially when I know I've done nothing wrong. But I feel like a different person now, more mature in lots of ways. So I know that it's not through my abilities that I'm able to forgive, but through God's grace. By forgiving you (and her), I'm surrendering you to God and letting Him take care of things. It's no longer in my hands. I forgive you.

So... I pray for great and happy lives for all of us. Charge everything to experience. I'm blessed and I know you will be, too. Smile... because as you've said, life is beautiful :)

Awaken the Miracle in YOU

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- Powerful talks and exhortations from renowned Charismatic preachers and priests that are sure to awaken the miracle waiting to happen in your life;
- Worship experience that provides respite from today’s hurried pace that will rekindle the fire in your spiritual life;
- A chance to receive God’s healing touch through our guest healing minister;
- And who knows, God may be cooking up a personal surprise for you through the Conference!

So what are you waiting for? Click here now to register!

SEE YOU THERE!!!!! :D

God's Plan

Human eyes and human minds will always see and think of things differently as God does. We always say that things happen for a reason and it's "God's plan" for us. When we fall down the stairs, we'll justify that it was God's plan for us so we'll know next time not to text while going down a flight of stairs so we won't miss a step. When we fail an exam, we'll think that it was God's plan for us so we'll study harder next time. When we lose someone, we'll convince ourselves that it's God's plan for us so we can move on to someone better.

But, after a few heartfelt conversations with wiser people, Bible reading, and prayers, I understand now that God doesn't intend for us to get hurt in any way. No sadistic parent would want that for their child. It's not in His plan for us to hurt people intentionally or unintentionally. It's not in His plan for us to get hurt. It is the consequences of the choices we pursue and the decisions we make, as humans, that hurt us. Free will does that to us. The miracle, however, is that God is able to use these circumstances, these "wrong" decisions, to His [and eventually our] advantage. We learn from experience. We get more attuned to His voice. So, the next time we're faced with similar situations, we're able to discern properly what to do.

So, the next time we fall down the stairs, hurt someone, or get hurt, it's not necessarily what God wants for us. Have faith however that:

All things work together for good to those who love God --Romans 8:28

Singles For Christ

Yes, I'm talking about the real phrase SFC stands for. Disclaimer though... I'm not really part of SFC but our community doesn't really have much difference from it... just the name. Since birth, I've been part of a charismatic community because my parents forced me. At least, that was when I was younger. Now, I choose to belong.

Many of my friends have asked me why I attend meetings, why I choose to belong, when in fact "community" is just a front for socializing and networking, and God is just a sideline. At some degree, they're right. It's just a venue for meeting people, finding friends, and most of the time lifetime partners (I could go on with all the types of relationships you can form in community but I'll have to stop here because that will need another blog entry, but I really don't want to write about it. ANYWAY...). Yes, we do socialize. And sometimes we get carried away with the socializing (wink wink). But personally, I think serving God with people who share the same beliefs and values as you do is the main point of community.

People always think that those who attend prayer meetings are all holy and blameless and shielded from the world's cruelties and pain. SO TOTALLY WRONG. Look at me! Haha! I still sin. I still think mean things. I still have my b*tch moments. I flare up when I'm angry. My left eyebrow rises involuntarily at the sight and presence of certain people. I get depressed when I get hurt. But the difference now is -- I have friends who help me bounce back. I have older and wiser friends who can minister and disciple because they've been through similar events and God has used them as living examples that His plans always work in the end. I have people praying for me.

We're not perfect. We still go through the good and the bad. But being in community makes the bad bearable (and eventually something good), and the good even more joyous. No community is perfect. It's made up of people, and people falter most of the time. But the purpose of being in community -- to serve God and to evangelize -- makes it worthwhile. The victories outnumber the failures most of the time, too.

SFC

If I ignore the acronym and the place, it usually saves my day. 50% off on hot regular and large coffee drinks until Nov. 30 at Net One, Bonifacio Global City :) I personally think it's not as great as Starbucks, but it's still coffee and it serves its purpose at a lesser price. Haha! I will have a blessed week. Hope you will too :)

Why I love Gossip Girl.

The problem with fairy tales is that they set a girl up for disappointment. In real life, the prince goes off with the wrong princess. Or the spell wears off and two lovers realize they're better off as... well, whatever they are. But I'll confess... every once in a while a girl craves her fairy tale ending.

xoxo

Meralco Theatre

I have this habit of peeling off the scab of a wound prematurely so it leaves that area of the skin reddish and itchy. Sometimes, it even reopens the wound. Going to Meralco Theatre to watch Steffi compete tonight was just like that. I had to pass by C5, Silvercity Tiendesitas, Ortigas Home Depot, Metrowalk, etc. I'm hating Ortigas at the moment. I can't decide if they're good or bad memories. I didn't even realize I was holding my breath until we got to the lobby.

Oh well, alcohol always does the trick. Makes the scabbing faster. I need both the antiseptic type and the drinking type. Haha! :D