Falling Slowly

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

A Letter From Jesus

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated.

During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer. It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me.

As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago.

At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.

Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts.

But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited.

I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face... and I wanted to be with them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time.

To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor!

At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?

I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.

I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life.

I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you.

Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and writ e your name with golden letters in my great guest book.

Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party.

Those who don't answer the invite will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon. I Love you!

Jesus

Share this message with your loved ones, before Christmas.

Whatever you do, begin with God.

"May the face of the Lord shine upon you today. Let His hand protect you. Let His presence inspire you and His power sustain you! Have a blessed day!"

Count on Me

I need to be around you
I want to fall into your eyes
I love to feel you close to Me
But there's no peace of mind

I live to hear you laughing
I long to feel your hands fall down
Along the side of Me
A change of life is hard to find
There's no peace of mind

So kiss me for believing
Love me now for always knowing
I'll never let you go
A change of life is hard to find
There's no peace of mind

If you ever need somebody
If you ever need somebody to love you
If you ever need somebody
You can count on Me

Words and music by Tonic.

Remember Me

Remember Me
In a Bible cracked and faded by the years
Remember Me
In a sanctuary filled with silent prayer

Remember Me
When the color of the sunset fills the sky
Remember Me
When you pray and tears of joy fall from your eyes.

Remember Me
When the children leave their Sunday school with smiles
Remember Me
When they're old enough to teach,
Old enough to preach
Old enough to leave

And age to age
And heart to heart
Bound by grace and peace
Child of wonder,
Child of God,
I've remembered you,
Remember Me....

Gravity

The ways of this world are grabbing a hold
Won't let me go, won't let me fly by
It takes it's toll down on my soul
‘Cause I know what I need in my life
Don't let me lose my sight of You
Don't let me lose my sight
I don't want to fall away from You
Gravity is pulling me on down
I don't want to fall away from You
Gravity is pulling me to the ground
This world keeps making me cry
But I'm going to try, going to try to fly, going to fly high
Don't want to give into the sin
Want to stay in You ‘til the end
Don't want to lose my sight of You
Don't want to lose my sight
I want to fly
Into the sky
Turn my back on this old world
Leave it all behind
This place is not my home
It's got nothing for me
Only leaves me emptiness
And tears in my eyes

Written by Shawn McDonald and Chris Stevens

English IS A Crazy Language

English is a tough language to learn: Can you read these right the first time?

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present .
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France… Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, two geese. So one moose, two meese? One index, two indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

P.S. - Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick"?

Forwarded by Joke-of-the-Day.

Yeah, OPM!

I thought my love for OPM ended some time during my college years. As I've been far away from home, and from the day-to-day exposure to Pinoy music for a long time, I never imagined I would have this yearning back. I miss the Pinoy rock bands, listening to their music while slumping on the couch during siesta or a rainy afternoon.... There have been strong influences and inspiration around me, and I thank them for reintroducing me to it somehow.

Here's to my memory bank. Just thought this was worth posting. Words and music by APO, revived by Kitchie Nadal.

Pag-Ibig

No'ng tangan ng nanay ang munting mga kamay
Ika'y tuwang-tuwa, panatag ang loob
Sa damdaming ika'y mahal

No'ng nakilala mo ang una mong sinta
Umapaw ang saya at siya'y ibang-iba
Sinasamsam ang bawat gunita

Hindi mo malimutan kung kailan nagsimulang
Matuto kung papa'no magmahal
At 'di mo malimutan kung kailan mo natikman
Ang una mong halik, yakap na napakahigpit
Pag-ibig na tunay hanggang langit

No'ng tayo'y nagkakilala nang hindi sinasadya
Ikaw lang ang napansin, nahuli sa isang tingin
At sa pagbati mong napakalambing

Hindi ko malimutan kung kailan nagsimulang
Matutong ikaw lang ang mahalin
At 'di ko malimutan kung kailan ko natikman
Ang tamis ng 'yong halik, yakap na napakahigpit
Pag-ibig mong tunay hanggang langit

A Very Unconventional Lunch Break

Recently, I've been busying myself with things that I rarely do. As I browsed through my schedule earlier today, I realized that I actually had a 3-hour lunch break (i loooove my job).... so I decided to go home. Here are the unconventional things that I did:

1. Made salad for lunch. Eek. I rarely have salad for lunch. Salad, as in all the greens, tomatoes and fish chunks in brine. Lunch for me usually consists of meat, some veggies, and rice/pasta/noodles. Amazingly afterwards, I was full. Am I starting to unleash the vegetarian in me? Eh? Good luck.

2. Watched a fantasy movie on DVD. It was actually "Mirrormask", which I've seen for the hundredth time. I consider it unlikely because I usually see this type of movies late at night... maybe to get the suitable ambience and sulk myself into whatever effect it might bring. But I did enjoy it.

3. Showered at noontime. Not that I stunk or drenched myself in sweat, considering the weather now, which is breezy and not humid at all. It felt nice after... until I walked in the livingroom, half-naked, not realizing my drapes were open, and everything was in full view. Bravo.

4. Had cappucino, cafe mocha and cafe americano in 1 huge mug. Ok, I had 3 different packs of coffee (1 was only strong coffee, without the cream and sugar), but I couldn't decide which one to make. So I put all 3. My own version of 3-in-1 coffee. Nice going, Einstein.

Makes me wonder... do I have a problem? Hmmm... maybe. Or it may be just one of those things that happen when the subconscious works its way out... like before learning (or recalling just now... a friend already informed me about it a week ago) that Vertical Horizon is having a concert in Manila tomorrow and I wouldn't be there because apparently, I'd be stuck here, making salad, watching fantasy films, taking untimely showers and sipping experimental coffee.... Exagge. So unfair.

Anyway, I now realize I've just turned a very ordinary lunch break into something rather enjoyable, at least for me. Change can be really good. Special thanks to my ever supportive and understanding boss, who has never yelled or cursed at me for being such a delinquent employee from time to time.... Ok, back to work.

Convention of Those Wounded in Love

I looooove Paulo Coelho. This was sent to me today by email. If you wish to subscribe, visit Warrior of the Light Online. Anyway, here's an interesting piece. I hope this article helps those who are living in pain and hate because of rejection, or suffering from a broken relationship. Remember, God is here. Always.

************

General provisions:

A – Whereas the saying “all is fair in love and war” is absolutely correct;

B – Whereas for war we have the Geneva Convention, approved on 22 August 1864, which provides for those wounded in the battle field, but until now no convention has been signed concerning those wounded in love, who are far greater in number;

It is hereby decreed that:

Article 1 – All lovers, of any sex, are alerted that love, besides being a blessing, is also something extremely dangerous, unpredictable and capable of causing serious damage. Consequently, anyone planning to love should be aware that they are exposing their body and soul to various types of wounds, and that they shall not be able to blame their partner at any moment, since the risk is the same for both.

Article 2 – Once struck by a stray arrow fired from Cupid’s bow, they should immediately ask the archer to shoot the same arrow in the opposite direction, so as not to be afflicted by the wound known as “unrequited love”. Should Cupid refuse to perform such a gesture, the Convention now being promulgated demands that the wounded partner remove the arrow from his/her heart and throw it in the garbage. In order to guarantee this, those concerned should avoid telephone calls, messages over the Internet, sending flowers that are always returned, or each and every means of seduction, since these may yield results in the short run but always end up wrong after a while. The Convention decrees that the wounded person should immediately seek the company of other people and try to control the obsessive thought: “this person is worth fighting for”.

Article 3 – If the wound is caused by third parties, in other words if the loved one has become interested in someone not in the script previously drafted, vengeance is expressly forbidden. In this case, it is allowed to use tears until the eyes dry up, to punch walls or pillows, to insult the ex-partner in conversations with friends, to allege his/her complete lack of taste, but without offending their honor. The Convention determines that the rule contained in Article 2 be applied: seek the company of other persons, preferably in places different from those frequented by the other party.

Article 4 – In the case of light wounds, herein classified as small treacheries, fulminating passions that are short-lived, passing sexual disinterest, the medicine called Pardon should be applied generously and quickly. Once this medicine has been applied, one should never reconsider one's decision, not even once, and the theme must be completely forgotten and never used as an argument in a fight or in a moment of hatred.

Article 5 – In all definitive wounds, also known as “breaking up”, the only medicine capable of having an effect is called Time. It is no use seeking consolation from fortune-tellers (who always say that the lost lover will return), romantic books (which always have a happy ending), soap-operas on the television or other such things. One should suffer intensely, completely avoiding drugs, tranquilizers and praying to saints. Alcohol is only tolerated if kept to a maximum of two glasses of wine a day.

Final determination: Those wounded in love, unlike those wounded in armed conflict, are neither victims nor torturers. They chose something that is part of life, and so they have to accept both the agony and the ecstasy of their choice.

And those who have never been wounded in love will never be able to say: “I have lived”. Because they haven’t.

Perseverance

Perseverance

- from the book of Bishop Soc Villegas:

"Love like Jesus, Thoughts of the heart..."

The take-home word for today is perseverance.
What is perseverance?

Perseverance is not closing our eyes and
crying and bringing our hands together and saying to God,
"Lord, I depend on you completely."
That is not perseverance.
That is dramatics.
Perseverance is not simply saying our prayers over and over again.
That is implied repetition.

What is perseverance? Let me use this example.

There is a huge piece of rock in the middle of a running stream, rough-edged,

and if one falls on it, one's skin will tear.
But because that rough rock is in the middle of a running stream,
as water passes through it, through months & years and even centuries,
that rock becomes smooth with the passing of water.
That is perseverance.

Perseverance is to allow time to pass without counting that it has passed.

Perseverance is trusting that we will get to the goal of a smoothened rock,
even if it would take thousands of years to smoothen the rock
with water passing through it from all sides.
That is perseverance.

Perseverance is not looking at mistakes but calling those mistakes learning experiences.

For people who persevere, there is no such a thing as a mistake.
For people who persevere there is only a lesson to be learned all the time.
For people who are persevering, defeat can be disappointing but defeat is never shattering.
For people who are persevering, there is no such thing as a stumbling block.
There are only stepping-stones to the mountain.

We pray for perseverance, not only for perseverance to get our petitions granted
but also for perseverance to do good that we are supposed to do - unrecognized, unappreciated.

We must be good because it is our nature to be good.