likefireinmybones.com

So Real It Could Have Already Happened

riz — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 05:16:56 +0000

Posted on FB Notes by Happy Cano-Lumasag:

Every ordinary Juan dela Cruz would probably be ready to mock me with all the disillusionment built-up inside him, that IT CAN NEVER BE DONE.

Countless from my father’s generation would be more polite to smile and say, “You can always try as we did. But it will never happen. God knows, we’ve done what we could. But things still remain the same.”

The words it’s hard, it’s already in the system, it’s part of the culture, it’s how it has been for decades all join in the scornful chorus against my generation. Unfortunately, there are a number of young people, too young to be jaded, who would be as ready to join in singing to the same tune.

I am not so naive to not know the breadth, the height, the width of the impossibility of the task WE DARE TO UNDERTAKE. It is not that we have made our choice blindly. It is not that we made a decision ever so rashly without counting the cost, without sitting down to contemplate exactly what it takes to see the ball rolling. It is not that we are caught unaware of the price such a transformation demands.

But please, here us out. We too, are NOT IGNORANT about our God. We are NOT UNSCHOOLED when it comes to His power. We are NOT UNVERSED in HIS-story. We are NOT UNLEARNED in His ability. Moreover, we are NOT INEXPERIENCED with His FAITHFULNESS with regard to fulfilling every letter of His PROMISE.In the face of such an insurmountable mountain of impossibility, WE ARE WELL-AWARE OF WHAT WE ARE DARING TO DO. We ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE DARE TO BELIEVE.

Our confession is, we have seen it in our dreams. We have seen it in the Spirit. We have seen it while we cry out with all the voices built within us. We have witnessed HOW IT CAN HAPPEN. We have been to that place where impossible things become SO POSSIBLE, and have even beheld with our own physical eyes such miracles here and there.

We’ve been to the realms that can be accessed by any honestly serious seeker. We’ve seen the bigger picture, the master plan, the blueprint of this nation’s divine destiny that if we, who have been so privileged as to be shown a glimpse of WHAT CAN HAPPEN, fight not, then what have we got to live for? If we choose to be passive after tasting the possibilities of the impossible, what value is our birth?

With all that is in me, I know IT CAN HAPPEN. Not by the strategies the world has attempted to use, nor by the enticing intellect that the world’s wisest ones offer. NO.

It can only come by His supernatural means. By the powerful brought down to their knees in repentance. By the high and mighty turning themselves in for all unjust deeds made, and the secret acts of corruption committed. By the masses brought down to a place of forgiveness towards their oppressors; by the poor choosing to receive their God-given dignity and believe in the genuineness of their identity in Christ. It can only be done through a powerful spiritual awakening that deals not with the people sitting on governmental seats, but an awakening that overthrows the prince of corruption that rules in every individual’s heart. An undeniable spiritual awakening that will SHAKE KINGS from their pompous securities, and the lazy out from his idleness. It will come by an indisputable divine visitation that will cause a whole generation to be so fed up of the prevailing culture, it will cry out towards heaven with everything they got!

The blueprint is too grand to be spoken of in detail, it must ONLY BE WITNESSED for real. Because until then, the skeptics will shake their heads, and the cynics will smile out their cynicism. But this one thing is left for sure: you will find a remnant whose hope is as fresh as the morning dew, who will dare to believe when the light of the possibility continues to grow dim.

And yes, the price to be paid may demand our own blood, our imprisonment, our reputation. But that is not even worth discussing, as the end-result of whatever we have to lay down OVERSHADOWS the trials and pains we have to go through.

It simply is too real to be ignored. It is so real it could have already happened in eternity. And now, who knows if our generation will be more privileged to witness eternity intervening into time… And if not our generation, I am certain there will be one.

To The “Privileged” Filipino in North America/Europe/Middle East

riz — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 03:05:40 +0000

by Cherylynn Cano- Lumasag on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 9:13pm

via FB Notes

To every Filipino who has had the opportunity to live, work, or study in North America/Europe/Middle East:

I know you see the huge disparity of our culture to the one surrounding you now.

You see how the social system and judicial system actually work here while back home, they malfunction more than half the time.

You see how the traffic is so different here from Pinas; how the drivers actually obey the rules even when there are no traffic enforcers.

I know you see how majority of the people in the services actually want to help you out more than take advantage of you.

You see how the great open doors to higher purchasing power can be so easy to step in more on the basis of right qualifications rather than connections.

I know you see the sidewalk — how nice they actually look like when there are no side vendors occupying the space and you can actually walk freely on it the way it was built to be.

And you see how easy it is to open a bank account even without cash on hand; how easier to get a loan to purchase a brand new house or a brand new car.

You see all these and more.

And yet, in your seeing, I beg of you, remember our predicament back home.

In your seeing, remember not to look back with contempt and disgust as you see the seeming greatness of these nations.

Rather, in your seeing, may your heart be stirred to compassion for your homeland. May your thoughts run back home and may your vision not be to permanently leave your seemingly ‘God-forsaken’ country, but to RETURN with a clearer vision.

In your seeing, I beseech you, let your heart be awakened to a new dream. Not a dream of a bigger house along the beach shores of North America, or a nice yacht to cruise on the rivers of Europe. But a dream for the Philippines. A dream to rebuild the walls of your cities back home. A dream to establish justice in the land, as you have been privileged to see how different life can be when the rule of law prevails. In your seeing, I pray, do not relinquish your ownership of our nation. As you embrace the new land that has welcomed you with all the so-called greener pastures, remember that God still made the choice not so long ago to birth you or your parents in the Philippines — and that, for a purpose.

While countless Filipinos land in North America and the opportunities presented to them seem endless and enticing enough for them to stay and make it their new homeland, my heart refuses the seduction. And yes, understandably, the provision for your family will be better here. But I pray, that after you have provided for your children every material, mental and emotional need they have, that you will remember to PROVIDE THEM WITH A DREAM FOR THE PHILIPPINES. Because after all, no matter how many times you change your citizenship, your blood will still prove you otherwise. Your skin will still beckon you to remember your origins. And perhaps, your thoughts, how little may be left for your homeland will still summon you to look back and REMEMBER THE RUINS BACK HOME.

And the weight of responsibility lies heavier on those who are MORE ABLE TO RESPOND. Like you. Like me.

“To whom much is given, much is required.” Luke 12:48

emptiness and greatness

riz — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:36:10 +0000

Re-blogged from doubtproof.wordpress.com:

If you think you’re life is useless, you are mistaken. If you think your life is small, you are being deceived. Moreover, if you think it’s okay to live your life any way you want to, it’s because there is something your parents did not tell you about your past. (Sounds pretty much like a telenovela right? But it’s true.) There is a family secret that you have to uncover. Once you do, believe me, most of that confusing and emptiness will begin to make sense…

GDP, AM, EJ, JR. Do you know what these initials stand for? If not junior, gross domestic product, a name of a guy, and ante meridiem, what else can they stand for? Let me tell you a story.

GDP didn’t know that that moment will be remembered and re-remembered by thousands as students go to high school and college, as historians teach their classes, and as truth seekers go back to their past for wisdom. He knew he was NOT just risking his life, he was in fact, laying it down. There was almost no chance of coming out of it alive! But he knew what he had to do and he did it. Now we read his last entry in his journal to get even just a glimpse of what happens in a young hero’s heart before he dies.:

“The General [Aguinaldo] has given me a platoon of available men and has ordered me to defend this pass. I am aware of what a difficult task has been given to me. Nevertheless, I feel that this is the most glorious moment of my life. There is no greater sacrifice. (from the last entry in del Pilar’s journal)”

That is Gregorio del Pilar. GDP.

We have more. We have men who did not give the enemy the advantage of being lured into self pity because of physical inability but instead served his nation with everything he had, who did not consider being the youngest and least experienced as an excuse to not contribute, who would rather expose injustice than live a comfortable, luxurious and safe, yet mediocre life. Apolinario Mabini. Emilio Jacinto. Jose Rizal.

Now what has your life got to do with any of their lives? When these men were born, do you honestly think that God did not know how he was going to use them? It believe God did know. Didn’t God say in His word that he knows us, and that before we were born, He set us apart for a task that is especially for us? (Jeremiah 1:5, Ephesians 2:10)

Today, our nation is facing an intense battle. Have you not yet figured it out – that decades of oppression and injustice have been crying out for men and women like you to rise up and ask God, “Lord, what is my part in this revolution for righteousness?” Just a few days ago, God rebuked me for counting my pennies while dreaming of earning money so i can go to the salon. “Is that the best you can care about Riza?” God said. Is that the highest goal you want to live for? And with more intensity I felt God say these words, “Do you think you sincerely care about injustice if you’re spending half of your energy running after shallow dreams of luxury and comfort?

If GDP, AM, EJ and JR had decided that their lives are useless, or that they’re small, or that they have every right to live it just as they wish, wouldn’t you hate them for doing so? When thrust in the middle of a society groaning for crumbs of peace and decency, what kind of conscience could afford to think of dining alone in satisfaction while the rest of the nation starves?

Fellow sojourner, you have been thrust in the middle of a battle and are you not aware of it? If you think your life is less than extraordinary, think again. It won’t be, if you are willing to be be counted amongst those who are consumed for a cause worth living for, and leaving the past for.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your SELFISH WAYS, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it… — Luke 9:23-24

i cry out for my nation God

riz — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:55:01 +0000

From loverinacruz.wordpress.com May-10-10

We pray for the Philippines and cry out for our nation, that today, History will unfold. God’s hand will move over raising new leaders that will stand up for what is right and just, who will raise a standard, God’s standard in all sphere of influence. This is the time where revivals will happen and love revolution begins. Lets pray that all filipinos will have a new found reverence and respect to elected leaders and that everybody, young, old, men, women will help build this nation on the right foundation for our children and the next to come. In Jesus mighty name, amen.

Ruined

riz — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 02:01:53 +0000

Give me one pure and holy passion, one magnificent obsession, to know and follow hard after you. — One Pure and Holy Passion by Passion

It all starts with an encounter. Then a prayer. The next thing you know, you have been marked for life. No matter how far you run, a voice comes searching for you, until you stop dead in your tracks and realize there is only one kind of life you were created for. Anything less that THAT kind of life is not worth living. You know deep in you spirit that you were predestined for a life marked with the dunamis power of God. A life wholly surrendered to the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. A life beyond your wildest imagination and dreams. You have been marked for this! Before you even chose God, He chose you and planted a well deep in your spirit, a space that only He can fill, and a container that is meant to overflow with love, from this love, nations await to drink from. You were born for a life bigger than yourself.

You go searching elsewhere other than the presence of God, you are left unsatisfied, yearning for the real deal. There is a turbulence in your spirit. The devil, your flesh and the world try to snuff it out but the smoldering wick would not get snuffed out! It remains in the grip of grace! And no matter how faint the sound, a voice keeps wooing you in the night of your longing for something greater. Every time you hear it, you are faced with a decision to make. One day you will say, “Enough is enough. I am tired of pretending. I am tired of running away. I am tired of delaying my destiny. Today, I choose to finally live.”

On that day, you will log out of Facebook, log out of Twitter, sign out of chat, turn off you cell phone(s), close the door to your room, and say to God, “I finally understand, it’s ALL or Nothing. Today I choose ALL.”

My prayer is that that day would be today, or tomorrow, a time very soon, not distant from now, not closer to eternity, not closer to the End, not closer to when revival breaks out all across the nations, but NOW. For heaven is waiting for you. Jesus is closer than you think. It’s time for the dead to get into the game. For they are the ones who understand best what it means to be brought back to life.

I want you Holy Spirit to break out so that men and women would break free. Nothing less that the impossible. That is what our generation was born for.

Love Encounter Sustains The Call for National Transformation

riz — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:06:03 +0000

It all starts with a ‘burning bush’ encounter that leads to a willingness to die for a Cause. “Never before has a generation been presented with a privilege to change nations!” I couldn’t agree more. And the Call has definitely not faded in the distance but is blasting behind our ears louder than ever before. Can you hear it? I challenge you to listen to this exhortation.:

Love Encounter Sustains The Call for National Transformation (courtesy of Maranatha Christian Fellowship Cebu): download mp3 here

It is for those who have been desiring revival but whose hope have somehow dwindled or been snuffed out, for those who are desperate to see change but are stuck with the question ‘what does it take to cause transformation?’…

It is also for those whose flame of love for God is ever burning, for those whose passion to see God’s Kingdom to come and will to be done here in the Philippines and the nations is still yearning, relentless…

the pledge

riz — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:07:02 +0000

a few years ago, a pledge was written by JREV’s Rock Revolution to be taken by those students who want to commit to make a difference in their campus.:

I pledge to run with the vision – to see to it that a radical Jesus revolution overtakes my school. My school is my inheritance and I shall take it by force.

For this cause, I will sacrifice. For this cause, I pledge to kneel down and wet the ground with my tears. I will move the heavens with my cries until God sends forth rain and we see salvation spring up from the ground.

But I shall not pray only. I will work as if it all depends on me even as I am already praying as if it all depends on God.

I am my school’s hope. I choose to live the difference. I choose to be a revolutionary.

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Weeping Knight

riz — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:31:40 +0000

O weeping knight, I see the sea of your tears
Because you are kept from happiness and cheers.
Failure is the result of your strategies
And you live in the world of great injustice.

Kings sought for triumph in you but have found none.
They think you are the most cursed under the sun.
Generations have passed but you still remain
As a knight in who earth’s princes have found pain.

But now O knight, in the shift of history
Don’t let the powerful see your misery.
For soon enough you will be hailed as king
Because from great shame I see you arising.

O weeping knight, your sorrows will meet their end.
Power and authority will be your friend.
You will be the richest and you’ll wear a crown.
Your smiling face contains the death of a frown.

So rejoice as you use your scepter wisely.
Spears and swords will stop hitting you finally.

www.poemhunter.com/obed-dela-cruz
www.poetfreak.com/poet/ObedDelaCruz
www.princeobed.multiply.com
www.obed-dela-cruz.blogspot.com

(March 21, 2010; Marikina City)

(Dedicated for my country)

(The poem is written by Obed Dela Cruz. To use it in a proper manner, please email him at princeobed_dc@yahoo.com)

There Is Hope For The Philippines

riz — Fri, 14 May 2010 07:11:29 +0000

by Kim John Cebrecus. Posted via fb note: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 8:37am

For every generation there is a destiny. For some, history decides. But for this generation, the choice must be our own. Our destiny in the midst of change will rest on the unchanged character of our people and on their faith. -Lyndon B. Johnson

If the Philippines was to have a tag at you-tube, it would probably be “corruption at its best.” If our country was to have a price tag at the mall, it would most likely be “poverty.” If it was to have an advertisement on television, it would be “prostitution.” If it was to have a signboard in the forest, it would certainly be “to the states!” If hell would come up with a list of its most progressive nations, the Philippines would surely rank within the top ten.

Many times I ask myself, “Is there still hope for my country?” Even before finishing the monologue, the neurons of my brain have already processed the negative answer. I then asked some of my very optimistic friends the same question. They responded by simply looking at me as if I was ignorant of why they took their very common college courses. Hoping to get a different answer, I asked a few successful people. Trying to reach my expectancy, they answered, “..it’s going to be really hard”

Why have most of us come to a point of surrender and unbelief?

Just a while ago, my faith and reason were in the climax of battle. While reason was about to swing its very sharp and shiny sword over faith, the Lord spoke to me saying, “You always get negative answers because you ask only them, not me.” As I was about to respond to the almighty, I felt deep inside as if faith, dodging all of reason’s swings and hurls, grabs its rusty blade and counterattacks, finally leaving reason unconscious.

We all have hard questions and problems impossible to solve. But one thing is for sure, God is in control. His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. The totality of the world’s best minds would merely be a single function of a sample of God’s individual cell. We think that we are wise but God thinks otherwise.

What then is the Philippines all about now?

It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not yet reached and the harvest that is sleeping on the un plowed ground. Is the Philippines gone? We say farewell. Is a new world coming? We welcome it, and we will bend it to the hopes of man. But we all must look to the old promises and dreams, they will lead us best of all. – Lyndon B. Johnson

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The writings in this blog were shared by different people. If you would like to share with us your own works which express the same heart – passion for God and love for nation, do send us a message! Email: speak@likefireinmybones.com

The weight of democracy

riz — Wed, 12 May 2010 07:51:18 +0000

Edited from April 30, 2010 post: doubtproof.wordpress.com << Vote for the Children

I’d usually avoid looking into their eyes after they place a recycled enveloped on my lap. Sometimes, I wouldn’t even touch the envelope as I uncomfortably wait for them to get it back after putting one on each jeepney passenger’s lap. But always, I will not put any money inside. It must be embarrassing for both of us – for me, for pretending not to care, for them for the shame of having to beg. There are very few jobs that are more shameful than this.

But for the first time, this afternoon, the experience was a bit different. Despite my fear and guilt that the kid might just use the money I will put inside the envelope for drugs or some unworthy cause, I quickly tucked in a five peso coin. This does not mean that this was the only time my heart was moved. For crying out loud, sad thoughts would race in my head each and every time one of these would approach me. What can I do to help? Will my alms giving be of any good? But aren’t there ministries that care for these kids? Perhaps they really just do not want to be ‘reached’ and helped? This is their parents’ fault! And so on and so forth.

But I would always avoid looking into their eyes. Because I feel guilty for the negligence of their mother and father. I am guilty of not doing anything. I am guilty of not trying hard enough to figure out what I should do. They are too young to be left to the mercy of the streets and poverty. And I am too old to be finding myself this useless when it comes to upholding their rights.

Then for the first time, this afternoon, I followed the young lad with my eyes as he stepped out of the jeepney and went to the island in the middle of the highway. I didn’t expect that God would give me a glimpse of his eyes. I could not begin to describe what that facial expression was. He looked like a disgruntled worker. As if he had been working all day in hard labor but his employer had not given him his labor’s due. As if he had been tricked by a promise that he had trusted with all his heart. And now there is only hopelessness. It was only four in the afternoon; he is only about 8 years old; he must have collected only 20 pesos during the past hour. It must be hard to accept that that is the only wage due him after shaming himself in front of more than a hundred passengers. Even if he collected more than that, do you actually think there is a sense of dignity in begging?

Then the train of thoughts came rushing in again. How could his parents allow him to do this? Shouldn’t he be studying? Shouldn’t social workers be helping him out? They must be so poor and desperate that they’d have to do this. And then there’s that big word again: POVERTY. Poverty and the age-old promise of politicians to take us out of it. We know too well that at the root of poverty is corruption. And so our politicians also promise us to take out corruption. But both statements are often said shamelessly without truthfulness.

More questions stream. How come my nation is so poor? How come a nation this poor could still afford to sell it’s HOPE by selling its VOTES? I simply cannot understand the heartlessness of CORRUPTION. It is unfair. Corruption has hands that strangle our children and steal from them the JOY of their youth. Our corrupt leaders have the blood of these youth on their hands. And if we put them in office, we also have the blood of a generation on our hands. Kids cannot and must not be given the responsibility of taking care of themselves. Whether we like it or not, it is our DUTY to SECURE for them a FUTURE and a HOPE.

Yesterday I was watching a game show and all the kid contestants who were interviewed had the same reason for wanting to finish school: to pull their family out of poverty. And after each time kid would say so, the mom or dad would say, “Salamat anak.” (Thank you son/daughter.)

If the world for these kids were not up side down, I don’t know what to call it.

When I first wrote this, I closed it with an appeal to my readers to vote according to the dictate of their conscience. But now that the elections is over, I would like to appeal to all of us to make good every statement we’ve made that WE LOVE OUR NATION. Loving our nation does not end after the elections. As one respected Filipino inventor had said, it does not necessitate that we be “in office” in order for us to HELP our nation. If we really want to help, we can do it RIGHT HERE and RIGHT NOW.

My prayer is that all of us will WORK HARD in wherever area of influence God has placed us with the same zeal (if not more…) that we have campaigned for our candidates of choice. It is now that the REAL TEST begins, after the heat has died down, and we are left again with the mundane things in life.

This I think is the weight of democracy, that after we have elected our officials, we must not abdicate our responsibility in governing this nation, through our prayers and through our personal lives.

“Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.” – Song of Solomon 8:7a

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