God sees our weakness but looks at our strength

Judges 6:14-16
Today's New International Version (TNIV)

14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.”

As I was reading the chapter about Gideon, I realized this:
               If God wants to use us as His instrument He would.  He knows our weakness but He also knows our strength. Even if we look at ourselves as insignificant and weak, God will look at our strength instead.
                And the best part - He promised to be with us. It will not just be our strength alone, but His strength too.

Credit: Image from here.

Feeling Blue

Happy, they say
is the feeling I should have each day
But today just isn't so
Because of the things that make me feel so low.

Happy songs are out of my mind
Loneliness is all I can find
I hum by myself the sad melody
as the silent tears share its harmony.

But I know that this will end
Surely, there's help that heaven will send
So I'll push the gloomy thoughts aside
And pray that I might have the strength inside.

Now I know just what to do
For me to stop feeling so blue
To help lighten up my day
I would keep a smile and a prayer.

My theme song today

Today I was so jaded and frustrated, with all the things I wanted to do and to be, and then suddenly, this song just came out of my mouth. Inspirational songs really come in handy.

Now I also remember what I've read before, we can have all that we want, but not all at once. Right. We have to learn how to do it - one step at a time.

My first post in 2013 on this special day

As this is a very special day to me, I wouldn't let it go without marking it on my blog.

 

I just thank God that He continue to bless me with my life for a quarter of a century now, continue to guide me and help me get through my troubles, and best, continue to be by my side. And so, I'll share one of my personal favorite verses:

Why I like this verse:

This is really a wake up call whenever I feel so weak or afraid about the circumstances in my life. Let me tell you what I think about this verse:

 Like the lion, the king of the jungle that fears nothing, God is commanding us to be strong and courageous.

In this verse, two of the main weaknesses of human beings were also mentioned: being afraid and being discouraged. When we become afraid, we become paralyzed, we can't think straight, and often, we cower in the face of adversity. When we become discouraged, our hope dies and when it dies, we lose the will to continue.

Feeling these two negative emotions are normal, but we don't need to get stuck on that, because thankfully, God has a promise for us.

The question is not "how" can we be strong and courageous and how can we stop the fear and discouragement, buy "why"?

Why can we do it? It's because He said: "... the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

The point is we are not going alone! God promises to be there with us. There is no need to feel afraid or discouraged, because we know that we have something with us far more powerful than our fears and dismays- it's God.  

For us to be able to overcome the obstacles and challenges in our lives and succeed, we have to have faith in Him, and like soldiers obeying their commander's command, we have to be strong and courageous. 

Credits:
Photo from here.
Second photo from here.

Ayala Triangle Gardens Lights and Sounds Show 2012

Before the year is over, I'm glad I was able to witness this beautiful display of lights at Ayala Triangle Gardens.  I don't know why, but even though I live in Makati, I still don't get a chance to go there. This is an annual event sponsored by Makati City, free to all! Cool right? I think it starts in December from 6 to 9pm, with 30 minutes interval.  It has a Tagalog and English version. 

All I can say is I love the Lights and Sounds!

Here's the video for the Filipino Christmas songs. 

Rise of the Guardians

As a fan of Jude Law, I made it a point to watch this movie, especially to hear his voice over on the character Pitch.

The plot of this movie is good. Watching it was an enjoyable experience. It's quite unique to see all of the legendary characters unite. Who could have thought they knew each other?

I even wanted to buy the figure characters in Mc Donalds, but due to the public demand, it got out of stock easily. :'(

As for Jack Frost, I really didn't know much. And so, after watching the movie, I looked up his information, and found out that in some folklore, he has been illustrated as an old man. I'm glad that they made him a teenager in this movie. I think Santa is already enough for a mature character.

One of the important things I learned in this movie has something to do with Jack's situation. He doesn't even know what's his purpose is. And so when the time came to make him a guardian, he refused.

I learned that, if we were chosen for something, even if we don't understand the reason, we just have to believe, that we were chosen because we have what it takes. We have the quality that they are looking for.

In the end, all the conflicts have been solved. Well, this story is about Jack, but there are still four more characters so I'm hoping for a sequel. :)

Book 16th: The Selection

This book is about the journey of America Singer, who, though unwillingly, happened to be included in the most prestigious thing in her country-The Selection. This event is a competition of 35 girls, to win the crown, and the prince's heart.

What can I say?
I figured the book is really for teenagers, with the colorful front, big fonts and a teenage protagonist. I think the story is romantic in its own way though I have some problems with it.

 Prince Maxon for one- a prince who doesn't know how to act in front of women. The heck, he is a prince, he is supposed to be prepared for this. I think the author made his character too much of a gentleman, to the point of not knowing what to do.

The country- a country with caste system, poverty, wars with other countries, and then a Selection?! I think those things are not a very good combination. I don't think if I would be giddy with America's (the main character) love life or if I would be concerned with their country and caste system.

Somehow the setting of the story reminds me of Hunger Games, come on, authors can surely think of a better setting right?

Still, after all my rants here, it is a good read. With enough twist and humanity to keep you reading from start to end. The love triangle between the three characters is something to look forward to, plus the big question, of who will be the lucky girl to remain. I'm actually looking forward to the second book.