Sorry but I’m gon’ hafta disagree. In fact, just being my room is the complete opposite of peace and tranquility. Have you ever been in there? Man, I have tons of distraction that’ll easily turn heads, like how guys foolishly get caught up when seeing a foxy lady in the street. In my case, my computer is mainly the deterrence, not to mention, my soft comfy bed where I’d spend both my countless hours passing out on.

Running solo in the park is my temporary escape from this world (and from my room ). It’s also my way of offering my body to Him, like an act to strengthen and also cleanse the temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in. I fully dedicate myself past my own boundaries to glorify God, and as a sincere "thank you" just for blessing me with another day to live for Him.

You can say it’s my own personal way of praying. After all, there is no wrong way to pray as long as it comes deep from the heart. Right?

Thank you Father for giving me strength each day I run for You, for everything I do, I do it in Your glory.

Isaiah 53:3-7 (New International Version)

3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

On my usual long morning commute to work, I would always sleep in the train hoping for a peaceful subway ride without any annoying disturbances. And there I was again today sitting idly in a corner of a crowded train, blasting the music through my earphones and audibly seclude myself from the world. I closed my eyes to temporarily escape, hoping to get away from reality’s cruel grip, who is always punctual to end my random reveries. And just as I expected, on time it came, disguised this time as an enraged fellow, belligerently shouting in the car, or so I thought.

He wasn’t a panhandler or homeless. He was the exact opposite actually. He was dressed in a gray pinstripe suit that complimented his shiny black shoes. He was probably better dressed than anyone else in the car, like a wealthy entrepreneur. But he wasn’t. He was a middle aged man, of African descent, carrying a beat up duffel bag in one hand and a book in the other. Receding atop his head were shades of scattered gray hair bouncing from the light from where he stood.

The man rested right in front of me when he entered the car. He looked weary, probably from fleeting from one car to another. He wasn’t begging for any money or food. He had a mission. He lifted up the book to his face and read aloud, proudly reciting a message with nothing hindering the passion in his soul. He was a moving speaker who did not need a stage or a microphone to share the good news. Tired or not, he squeezed his way through the immovable crowd, speaking vociferously with intensity, despite of his apathetic audience.

There were abrupt giggles and intolerable laughter from the mass as this undignified man simultaneously walked and talked. Right across from him were people ridiculing his odd behavior, assuming him like a crazy lunatic in desperate need of attention. Others smiled and nodded inversely as a sign of disapproval for this man’s mental capacity. The rest were just amused of this "fool" engaged in his own conversation. And as the doors opened at the next stop, he stepped out to transfer to the next car and a sudden burst of mockery filled the air.

I laid back on my seat in revelation of what I just witnessed. Suddenly, there was conviction tapping my shoulders from behind. I remember now. I was once guilty of ignorance like the oblivious crowd. Are we blind? This "fool" insignificant to everyone, did not ask for anything in return, not even for their attention. Yet this "crazy lunatic" had something important to give to the world that scornfully rejected him. There is an apparent presence of irony because we are ignorant fools ourselves living in blissful bigotry. After all, the precious gift he was sharing came from The Holy Bible.

What is the ultimate definition love?
Why don’t you look up John 3:16

He loves you that much. How much do you love Him? Think about it.

• I will go on a diet.
• I will get my spending habits under control.
• I will try to do better in school and/or work.
• I will be more patient and understanding.
• I will be a better husband, wife, or friend.
• I will exercise regularly.

Sound familiar? If so, you’re one of more than a million lost Americans who made New Year’s resolutions this year. And by about March, if you’re like most, you’ve either given up on your resolutions or you’re about ready to quit. How do I know? I’ve been a New Year’s resolution dropout myself. But I know this coming year will be different. The Lord is my resolution. He opened my eyes and changed me, and still am in a continuous process of transformation.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

-2 Corinthians 5:17

He has broadened my heart to have faith and trust in Him… and that is all I need. Because if you believe in Him with all your heart, nothing is impossible.

I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me

-Philippians 4:13

On a much different note… I’m about to head out to PA with the Bulos sisters. I’m the chauffeur (thanks to Kuya Joseph who assigned me voluntarily) to drop Maya back in Mt. Zion. But first… it’s lunch time. I’m gon’ go pig out with ‘em on the 1st day of the year. See ya ’round and God bless!

God has loved us with an everlasting love. Let’s love Him every single day of our lives, especially on this day… the birth of our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember… He is the reason for the Season!

His voice was utterly familiar. As a matter of fact, I am guilty as one of the faceless crowd who ridiculed him in the past, thinking he was some crazy lunatic. Only this time, with an open mind for God’s Words, I was attentively listening to what this dood had to say. He was reading aloud from one of the Gospels. At first I did not know which chapter and verse he was referring from, until I took out my bible from my bag and prayed to Jesus to help me find the Word…

⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:4-7

This "crazy lunatic" that I once thought was sharing an important gospel. The message reveals the truth about how people these days had forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. How we have no room for Jesus in our hearts, just like how there was no room for the birth of the future Savior in the inn.

Instead, people are too busy preparing & shopping for presents, parties, decorations and Santa Claus. Somehow the jolly fat man and his sleigh became a pop-icon that replaced Jesus and his birthday. How would you feel if you were the birthday celebrant and people had forgotten to invite you and celebrated your day for someone else?

And you know what, in my case, it’s true. My prayer has been answered today. Lately, my emergent faith had slowly regressed and I felt I’ve suddenly drifted apart from the Lord. But thanks to Maya, who reminded me to pray and ask God to draw me close to Him.

And prayed and prayed I did.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

- Matthew 21:22

It’s amazing what a simple, sincere prayer can do. I felt like I was closer to the Lord and how great it was to be welcomed into His open arms. And just this morning, God blessed me with reassurance and shared the gospel with me.

I was sitting idle in the train on my way to work and I was encouraged & heartened by his Word. And now I want to share it with you. click here and read on (separate entry)…