Part of my major to dos of 2008 is making my physical body fit by trying (operative word -- trying) to have a healthy diet, enough rest and exercise. So as to follow through on this, I've been trying to fit in gym skeds into my already full schedule and experimenting on healthy diets. It stretches me a little but I know that a healthy body is important.
When I heard the church message last Sunday, I was rebuked. Here I am, trying things to have a healthy body but forgotten the state of the inner man -- the most important above all, the condition of my soul. I wonder, am i nurturing my soul with "healthy food" and "exercise"?
Admittedly, I couldn't say that "as the deer pants for the water so my soul longs after thee." I want to have that desire to grow not just in the knowledge but in the love of God. This song contains my very prayer:
Deeper In Love
There is a longing only You can fill
A raging temptest only You can still
My soul is thirsty Lord
To know You as I'm known
Drink from the river
That flows before your throne
Take me deeper
Deeper in love with You
Jesus hold me close in Your embrace
Take me deeper
Deeper than I've ever been before
I just want to love You more and more
How I long to be deeper in love
Sunrise to sunrise
I will seek Your face
Drawn by the Spirit
To the promise of Your grace
My heart has found in You
A hope that will abide
Here in Your presence
Forever satisfied
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
2008 Major To-Dos
At the start of a new year, it is a common practice for people to make a list of the things or habits they want to change or implement throughout the year. Some call it new year's resolution; I call it major to-dos. I don't know if the way it is called makes any difference to others but it sure does to me.
I've been used to making resolutions for many years and seeing those resolutions forgotten at the onset of the first quarter. I realized that maybe the reason I couldn't follow through those resolutions is because I put more effort in the writing than in the thinking of what really needs to be written. I make a list -- the longer the better without really committing into it. Besides, the frequency of this being forgotten made me think that resolutions are made to be broken. *._.*
This year, I made a careful assessment of my life and how I want to make some changes. These I put into a list and labeled it My Major To-Dos.
1) Topping my list is the one that concerns my physical health. I have gained too much weight throughout the year and this has caused me difficulty in breathing, lethargy and other associated ailments. This year, I would observe discipline in the food I will eat, in exercising and in taking rest and sleep. This is recognizing that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and so I must take good care of it.
2) I will also make my emotional and spiritual health glow. I commit to be consistent in my daily quiet times, devotions and prayer. I would surround myself with good friends who can help me in achieving this particular goal.
3) I would live simply so that I could cut down on my expenses. I will allot a portion of my salary to savings. This year, I would focus on my needs and not on wants. I will make a written budget and follow through it. I will pay off my bills the moment I receive them. As much as possible, I will pay the total amount due in all my credit cards. I will prayerfully consider maintaining just 1 or 2 cards to be used during emergencies.
4) I will be faithful in giving my tithes and offerings. I would be generous in my giving to my missionary friends and church.
5) I will deliberately reach out to people to show them God's love and be a channel of God's blessings.
6) I will endeavor to build up people and not to tear them down.
7) I will direct my complaints to the people concerned, or better yet, to God.
8) I will do something thoughtful for my loved ones at least every month.
I know that these won't be easy to do. There would be times that I would love to do the opposite of the things I've written, that I would fail. It's okay. I would just continue to keep in mind that the things I've listed are my to-dos; that if they do not get done today, then I still have the remaining days of the year to accomplish them. That is the antidote of quitting.
I've been used to making resolutions for many years and seeing those resolutions forgotten at the onset of the first quarter. I realized that maybe the reason I couldn't follow through those resolutions is because I put more effort in the writing than in the thinking of what really needs to be written. I make a list -- the longer the better without really committing into it. Besides, the frequency of this being forgotten made me think that resolutions are made to be broken. *._.*
This year, I made a careful assessment of my life and how I want to make some changes. These I put into a list and labeled it My Major To-Dos.
1) Topping my list is the one that concerns my physical health. I have gained too much weight throughout the year and this has caused me difficulty in breathing, lethargy and other associated ailments. This year, I would observe discipline in the food I will eat, in exercising and in taking rest and sleep. This is recognizing that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and so I must take good care of it.
2) I will also make my emotional and spiritual health glow. I commit to be consistent in my daily quiet times, devotions and prayer. I would surround myself with good friends who can help me in achieving this particular goal.
3) I would live simply so that I could cut down on my expenses. I will allot a portion of my salary to savings. This year, I would focus on my needs and not on wants. I will make a written budget and follow through it. I will pay off my bills the moment I receive them. As much as possible, I will pay the total amount due in all my credit cards. I will prayerfully consider maintaining just 1 or 2 cards to be used during emergencies.
4) I will be faithful in giving my tithes and offerings. I would be generous in my giving to my missionary friends and church.
5) I will deliberately reach out to people to show them God's love and be a channel of God's blessings.
6) I will endeavor to build up people and not to tear them down.
7) I will direct my complaints to the people concerned, or better yet, to God.
8) I will do something thoughtful for my loved ones at least every month.
I know that these won't be easy to do. There would be times that I would love to do the opposite of the things I've written, that I would fail. It's okay. I would just continue to keep in mind that the things I've listed are my to-dos; that if they do not get done today, then I still have the remaining days of the year to accomplish them. That is the antidote of quitting.
New Year's Blues
Which is harder to do, share in someone's joy or share in his/her sorrow?
Before Christmas, I heard that my discipler's brother died in his sleep. This same discipler's father passed away a month earlier. I didn't have a hard time sharing in her sorrow. I, together with the other D-12 ladies went to Baguio to attend the wake and the interment, and to help comfort the family in their time of grief. Sharing in the family's bereavement somehow came naturally.
A few minutes before the new year's day, my bestfriend (who is the sister of my ex) called. In the middle of our conversation, she mentioned that my ex's wife is already pregnant. It was a good news; everybody in their family has been waiting for the coming of a baby. However, I couldn't share in their joy. I felt a pinch somewhere inside my heart.
I couldn't understand my feelings. I thought I was okay-okay. My reaction to that news made me wonder if I was ever okay or I was just successful in hiding the pain for that long a time. Am I back to round 1 again? Will I traverse that long road of trying to let go and get over all over again? Haven't I accomplished anything?
(Sigh) . . . and so I had my new year's blues . . . .
Before Christmas, I heard that my discipler's brother died in his sleep. This same discipler's father passed away a month earlier. I didn't have a hard time sharing in her sorrow. I, together with the other D-12 ladies went to Baguio to attend the wake and the interment, and to help comfort the family in their time of grief. Sharing in the family's bereavement somehow came naturally.
A few minutes before the new year's day, my bestfriend (who is the sister of my ex) called. In the middle of our conversation, she mentioned that my ex's wife is already pregnant. It was a good news; everybody in their family has been waiting for the coming of a baby. However, I couldn't share in their joy. I felt a pinch somewhere inside my heart.
I couldn't understand my feelings. I thought I was okay-okay. My reaction to that news made me wonder if I was ever okay or I was just successful in hiding the pain for that long a time. Am I back to round 1 again? Will I traverse that long road of trying to let go and get over all over again? Haven't I accomplished anything?
(Sigh) . . . and so I had my new year's blues . . . .
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