Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun

An inspiring video from a group called BoxofCrayons

Sunday Reflection: Discerning the will of God

1st Reading:  Jer 20:7–9
2nd Reading:  Rom 12:1–2
Gospel: Mt 16:21-27
Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem; he would suffer many things from the Jewish authorities, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. He would be killed and be raised on the third day.
Then Peter took him aside and began to reproach him, “Never, Lord! No, this must never happen to you.” But Jesus turned to him and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path. You are thinking not as God does, but as people do.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me. For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life for my sake will find it. What will one gain by winning the whole world if he destroys himself? There is nothing you can give to recover your own self.
“Know that the Son of Man will come in the Glory of his Father with the holy angels, and he will reward each one according to his deeds.”


This is a great challenge as today's culture sets our aim to seek for pleasure, popularity and power.  But following Christ, we should be ready for pain, rejections and servanthood for His name.  Jesus tells us to renounce ourselves, to empty ourselves of all that is worldly and fill ourselves with His Holy Spirit, thereby enabling us to discern the will of God in our lives and accept it as Jesus accepted His. 

Brunei 2011

A new chapter unfolds for my personal and professional life.  I am now here in Brunei Darussalam to continue my search for a personal legend working as a civil engineer.  Life has been comfortable back at home, in the Philippines, but I felt like a fish in a pond.  I needed an ocean for growth.

First stop: Brunei.

First impression, a peaceful, laid-back place.

Roads are occupied mostly by private vehicles which means it's going to be hard if I go for public transportation.
Alcohol is banned, both in the sale and in consumption, so it's going to be a quite nightlife for me which is not really a problem.
Foods abound, flavors are truly Asian which are very appealing to my palate.
Weather is warm and humid, not different from the Philippines.

So far my stay in this foreign land is good and I can see I'm going to have a lot of good days in here.

(Photo above is the Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, Brunei's grandest mosque built in 1992 taken during my first night in Brunei, just a few meters from where I am staying.)

  

3-Day Fasting

                 It started off as part of my list of ‘100 Things to Do before I Turn 60’.  I was just curious of what it would feel like not eating for three consecutive days and if I can really do it.  In order to prepare myself, to avoid harming my body, I searched through the internet on tips to how to ‘properly’ do fasting.  As I was browsing through various articles on the net, I discovered not only on how to prepare for fasting but also some serious and substantial reasons for doing it.   These are both physical and spiritual.  Physical as it will be a way of cleansing the body, a sort of detoxification thing.  Spiritual as it will be a way of reconnecting to God.

            I decided to make this a religious fast, one that is addressed to God.  The appropriate time to do this was on the Lenten season, the time to reflect on our spiritual life.  Another reason for fasting on the Lenten season is that it will be a holiday, meaning no work in the office; I just have to stay at home and will not require much energy. 

            I did a week of preparation.  Eating lesser each day until on the first day, I was drinking only water.  Reading the bible was then my way of reconnecting to my spiritual being.  Fasting was physically and mentally challenging.  My stomached grumbled more and more each day.  My mind was also thinking about a lot of good foods to eat.  The third day was the biggest test as I was already feeling weak, kind of feverish and the temptation to eat was very strong.  I was exhausted physically but I hopefully was strengthened spiritually.  Finishing the 3-day fast was very fulfilling for the greatest lesson I learned was self-control.  I plan to do this every Lent and make this an annual habit.  It was a good experience and I recommend everyone, especially Christians, to do the same.  I could now also check no. 11 of my ‘list’.

The Song and Earth Hour

THE SONG

Sweet Disposition by the Temper Trap. Great song with awesome melody and emotion filled lyrics. I first heard of this song from the movie '500 Days of Summer' and since then, I became addicted to the sound and it has become part of my own life soundtrack. It gives me a certain comfort inside every time I listen to this song.


EARTH HOUR

This has become a global phenomenon since it started in 2007. I have never really participated in this cause until now when I became part of the organizer for this event in MEZII. The experience was great and made me realize the importance of such a simple act.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMwArLkF0oU- this link has showed me that the two come together very well, a good song and a good deed. And this has inspired me to do my own version to share to you my EH experience.

A collection of photos from Earth Hour 2011 with Sweet Disposition playing in the background.

To better appreciate 'Sweet Disposition' by the Temper Trap, here is a link to their music video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxKjOOR9sPU

Alpha

This is it. My first blog.

I thought of starting a blog two years ago but didn't really get serious with it. I have made five blog accounts but with no posts. Now, I decided this is the right time to have this blog as I will be expecting some changes in my life hopefully if it is parallel to God's plan for me. I decided to have this one as my 'official' blog account. I have learned that it's good to write down your thoughts and experiences as an extension of memory.

I hope this will be a healthy habit and will bring positive effect to my life. To my readers (hopefully I will have one) this will generally be accounts of my experiences and thoughts under the sun, moon and stars or maybe underwater and underground ^_^


CAUTION:

Spelling and grammar check has been turned off, so bear with me.