Sunday with Langga

I am writing this blog for two reasons:

First is that my experience attending service together with my langga.

Second is the things I've learned from the service.

Today at 3:30 pm, langga and I met at national bookstore in Ayala to attend the Sunday service of Citichurch at Waterfront Hotel. Im excited when I leave our house because it's the second time we had attended sunday service. First was on May 24, 2009 in our church at Bible Baptist Church, Katipunan. ANd this is the second time we go to church together.

My father always tells me about going to church and attend the service. He told me that I can attend any church as long as it worships God and God alone. That whatever denominations we are into, whatever status in life we are standing right now, and whatever beliefs we have, as long as we believe in God, it will be alright. Anyway, we are worshiping God and not the people we see in the church.

True as it is that if you believe God exists, no matter what kind of religion you have, as long as we believe that there is a living God, then, religion wouldn't be a big deal when we go to different church that not in line with what denomination we belong to as long as we worship the same God.

My experience at Citi church adds a great fulfillment in my spiritual life. I'm not saying that I will convert to another denomination. No! I came from a Christian church and Citi church is still preaching salvation and people there are Christian, though, because we believe in the same God. But what I'm trying to convey is that how powerful God is in our life. That people nowadays are very far off from God because they are too much attached by material things here on earth, too engrossed by what they have, what they see and what they hear, yet, on the other hand, there's still souls who surrenders their life to Jesus and commits their life to be taken cared of by our only Savior, Jesus Christ.

The gospel talks about how dominant words are. How powerful our tongue may be. Pastor Jo Alfafara talks about words that may hurt feelings or give praise to the one listening or the one whom you're saying it with.

Cursing someone is really a big no-no because it will definitely bounce back to the one who spoke that. No matter how mad you are, whether they are your enemies or a friend or family member or a colleague, just surrender your anger and pain to Jesus and surely He will take over and manage to take actions. It is certainly true because it is stated in the bible "Love your enemies".

Just bless them with your powerful tongue and pray for them. If they make fight with you either verbally or physically, don't fight with them because if you do, you will not surely win especially when you are already a Christian. You should know when to fight and when not to fight. Just pray for their souls that God will bless them.

People have different perception in life. They tend to do this and do that because they think that it's worth doing for. It's in their own grasp how to make their life worth living for. ANd how to find the truth.

I respect so much the beliefs of other people. I never blow one's own horn that our church is better than the others. (No!) I really appreciate people who finds truth in their own way and faith in the divine love of our creator.

On the other side of my blog is the happiness that I felt towards my langga. I love him so much and it still amazes me how great his love is and greater my love is for him. (Don't react langga!)hehe.. But it's true that..we really love each other.

I really wanted to go to church with him. I'm not saying that I don't like to be with my family. Of course, I do. But with langga, he made me feel comfortable, happy, loved and gave me words of wisdom. Of course, I know. We're couples. It's a different story. It always ringed my ears every time I hear this line which he always tells me. " If God is with us, who can be against us?". So intense and powerful statement. (woof!)

He kept on reminding me (as if I have the symptoms of aging..duh!bisag siya ra gani na..) that if God is in the center of our relationship, God will take care of us both. (I know that already langga)..

I prayed that God will never get tired in hearing my prayers everyday. Just a simple prayer of happiness, courage, prosperity, health, protection, strength and more blessings for my circle of family, langga's circle of family and our realtionship with my langga, Monte.

What a day it was. Hope it will never end.

Thank you Lord..

CHOOSE!

Which is which?

Fight for your love or set them free?

Which is right?

Forgive and forget or forget then forgive?

What is really right?

I love you because I need you or I need you because I love you?

Should it be?

To see is to believe or believe when you see it?

Does it have to be?

Action speaks louder than words but still words hurt more than action?

Is it?

Love for a reason or the reason is love?

You choose and you know your answers are either right or just a matter of explaining!

Love Of My Life

People always look for the best and when they found it, they just ignore it thinking that they will find much better than that not knowing it was the “best”.

I don’t now exactly how two people from different world with different view of life and personality seemed to clash into one road with so many dreams and goals to accomplish and one of those - to love and find the person whom they can spend the rest of their life with in this uncertain world we’re living in.

I’m not quite sure how our life with the guy I’m with right now have crossed the same road that we’re taking to and met accidentally.

I’m not pretty sure also how we manage to have a healthy “love thingy” in our relationship with my partner, my only love and my langga, Monte.

We became stable last April 9, 2009 and that falls during Holy Week. With those time, I was having formidable decision whether or not if I’m ready to commit myself with another person in another relationship.Thoughts began to sink in my mind as to trusting this person and be with him or should I hide myself and keep myself away from loving again.,

Those thoughts just crossed my mind and I never expect that this guy will give me reasons..to love again after a downfall in my previous relationship.

We are only starting to build our new life together. I keep on thinking where our relationship will lead us and where we will end up. So much wavering thoughts that leads me to confusion and it’s not easy trusting someone whom you think that the person you have right now is as good as you know him and a blessing in your life. And seeing him do the right thing in your relationship is a plus factor in believing that he loves you and you can feel it. I guess that’s enough.

What makes him different from the other guys that I know?

He makes me feel special and important. He loves me in return same as the way that I love him. He makes me feel comfortable whenever I’m with him especially that we worked in the same company and we are group mates, too. He encourages me whenever I feel depressed, bad, frightened, and somehow calms me during those times that I don’t know what to do.

He surprises me with his originality. I can’t forget this date - May 9, 2009. It was our first monthsary. We met at J.Y square and had our lunch at pongko-pongko in front of J.Y Mall. (I insisted that we’re going to eat there during our monthsary. hehe) And after, we walked from J.Y Square Mall going to I.T park although it’s a bit distant but still, we enjoyed it. Then we pass by McDonald’s,sit there and had our dessert, (it was sundae). He is very conscious with his moves and he kept on holding and looking at his cellphone and it seemed that he’s texting with other people and I start to get annoyed because he never told me whom he was texting to and he’s very busy with that.

At first I never notice about the “surprised” thing that he’s going to give me. We sat across to each other and even there’s still a chair beside him, he put his bag next to me. I began wondering why but I just ignore it. And I’m starting to get nervous. I don’t know why, though. And he asked me to get his cellphone inside his bag and I said you get it yourself but he insisted. I opened his bag and my heart began to beat as fast as I could hear it. A colorful box caught my attention but on the second time, I ignore it. And when I handed him the cellphone, he asked me where the message came from. I look down and to my surprised, there was this alarmed message saying “Happy Monthsary Langga” and I keep on laughing because I was touched by his surprise and also by the alarm that never worked out because that’s the thing he’s waiting for but it didn’t ringed that’s why he asked me to get his cellphone inside his bag and he has no choice. That’s his plan. (hehe)

So sweet..

Why do I love him?

His personality bewitched me. It’s very alluring the way he looks at me, his charm amazes me and his smile captivates my senses - my being. Sometimes when his corny - melodramatic - sugary - sickly sweet - mushy actions, I can’t help but fall in his trap of getting my attention. Sometimes, I wonder where on earth does this guy came from. (LOL!)

But honestly speaking, this guy means a lot to me.

We had fun together. We acted as if no one were there. We walked how many kilometers just to explore those places and we find ourselves catching some air and breathes heavily. (whew!)

We talked about our future. Having a house and lot and a car that we can call our own. What are the things we should accomplish before we will get married. Where we’re going to work and live, etc. And I feel so lucky having this guy in my life.

But then, I feel safe whenever I’m with him. Thank you Lord for giving me such a wonderful partner.

Every day is a surprise for me and in our relationship. Whether it goes wrong or right, I know he’s always by my side. And as what he said, if God is with us, who can be against us?

I don’t know what lies ahead of us. What the future has stored in our relationship. But one thing is certain and it will never changed.

I love him now and for always. And I know he do, too.

And if something bad will happen in our relationship, I will still be glad that I’ve met someone like him knowing that I loved him in my own way and he loves me more than words can utter.

Thank you Lord. Thank you, Monte.

It is Nice To Know You Have Him!

It's nice to know that you're secured with that someone. That even if the rain is pouring hard and the sky is almost dark, he'll never leave you just so you won't feel alone. Even if his friends had left him (and even if he has to be somewhere else) he'd still stay by your side, just so you won't feel alone.

It's so good to know that you have someone who'll be willing to help you cope up in every frustrations you're having. Every depressing moments, every down moments, every self-worthless-realization moments, he'd be there, not because you want someone to be with you, but because he wants to be with you.

It's great to know when a person appreciates every little thing you do. Even a smile would mean a lot to him, just because you own that smile. And that even if no words are expressed as long as the eyes understand, you'd be able to communicate, just like that.

It's overwhelming when a person tells you that he loves you for who you are. He may not have an answer when you ask him why, but really, he doesn't have to have reasons for loving you.

It's more grateful to know that someone is grateful to have you. We don't choose the people who enter our lives, so it must be luck that you have that person, then you have to be thankful. It may just be coincidence or fate, but whatever the reason is, you have to be thankful in having him the same way he is thankful for having you.

It's a wonderful feeling when you're on the verge of giving up the things you've worked hard for, someone isn't just helping you carry the weight on your shoulders, but he carries it on his own because he'd also be in pain when you are in pain. And then you'll realize, trials would all be worth it as long as you have him, not because he would do things for you, but because you gather all the strength you need, in him and his love.

It's a superb feeling when one is willing to take the risks just so you'll be happy. Unselfishness rule in him just so happiness would take over you.

It's a nice feeling that when you're apart, and days seem to be long, that person misses you. Yes, you might feel bad about not being with each other, but knowing that you feel the same way would drive those blues away, thinking, you'd fight over that feeling because you're looking forward to seeing each other, and that's something to be happy about.

It's a great feeling when he wants to be with you because of the happiness you have when you're together. That even if corny jokes and senseless stories are told, it won't matter as long as you're together.

It's a lovely feeling when someone thinks about your future, with or without him. He cares and he cares enough to think of you and what you'll be someday. But of course, he also wants to be in it someday.

It's a nice feeling when you can be who you really are with that person. No pretentions, no lies, no hypocrisy, because he accepts you for who you are. You can be funny, you can be embarrased, but it won't matter coz it doesn't matter to him. Trust and faith in each other keeps you alive. And it will always do.

It's good to know that you have someone who'll not have the intentions of breaking your heart. Instead, he would be willing to mend it, picking up the broken pieces of your heart that your past love have scattered in the ground. He may not be able to put the pieces back to where they really belong, but you shouldn't mind, because he had repaired that heart of yours, and he fixed it in his own way. He loves you in his own way, not the way your past did. He fixed your heart in a different way, to keep you from feeling the pains of your past heartache and to make you feel, the love, that he's unselfishly giving.

It's a great feeling when that person has every effort to let you feel what he feels for you. Because of the distractions, you may not hear him shout it to the world, but as long as you feel it, his efforts has paid off, big time. And when you feel the same way too... He'd feel as if he's the luckiest person alive.

... when in fact, you're more blessed to have him.

Dance with the Stars

Dancing With My Stars

Everyone loves to dance!

Well, it appears that most people either enjoy dancing or watching dancing. I would imagine that the television network, ABC, gambled on their show Dancing with the Stars.

It was a gamble that hit the jackpot. Don't let ABC know this, but I don't get it. Perhaps it's because I've always had two left feet. Couple that with the fact that I was almost killed in an injury when I was 19 resulting in right side paralysis, and I guess you could say I now have "1-1/2 left feet."

Regardless, I still don't get the phenomenon and I am happy for the show's millions of viewers.

Some time ago, after I was injured, I tried to dance. My father was retiring as Senior Rabbi of his synagogue and the synagogue was having a party for him at a hotel ballroom with a band and, you guessed it, there was dancing.

Everyone was there, everyone was dancing, everyone was having a good time. Though most might have questioned my attempt to dance, I never let that get to me.

So, with the band playing melodiously, I stood up from my seat at the table and calmly asked my 82-year-old grandmother sitting to my left, "Grandma, would you like to dance?

My mother's mother then replied, "MichaelŠ oh noŠ my back is killing me and my feet are aching as well. But thank you for the offer."

I then quickly went to my grandmother's left where my other grandmother, my 90 year old father's mother, was sitting and asked her the same question.

"Honey, my knees are killing me and my neck is so sore, but if you can go out to the dance floor, I can go as well."

That was my "bubbie" (Yiddish for grandmother) -- a spit fighter full of spirit, always willing to try anything.

My bubbie and I went to the dance floor and began "dancing." All of a sudden, I felt a tap on my left shoulder.

"Michael, may I cut in on bubbie?" It was my mother's mother! I smiled and said, "Of course."

Both my grandmothers were in pain -- however, both grandmothers were willing to try.

Both grandmothers have since passed away, but I will always remember that evening when I was honored to "Dance With My Stars." I believe it was their last dance.

As I looked to the heavens, I smiled and lovingly said, "Thank you. First, for the dance, but more importantly, for teaching me so much about life."

23-ft. crocodile kills 10-year-old in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - A 10-year-old girl was decapitated by a crocodile in a Philippine lake after the creature knocked over her canoe, police said Wednesday.

The girl and a classmate were on their way Saturday to their floating school on Agusan del Sur province's Mihaba Lake when the 23-foot- (7-meter-) long crocodile bumped the boat, causing it to capsize, said Bunawan town police officer Melchor Danuco.

Rescuers found the girl's headless body floating on the lake on Tuesday, he said.

The classmate was rescued by a man escorting the pair in another boat, said Roel Hipulan, head of the private group that runs the school in remote Bunawan town.

"It's a monster crocodile," Hipulan said, adding that he had seen the creature. He said salt water crocodiles, some bigger than a bus, are known to inhabit the lake, though attacks are rare.

But the lake's waters have been swollen for the past several months, causing fish to scatter to others parts. With little to feed on, the crocodiles have become aggressive, he said.

The crocodile attack has prompted the temporary closure of the school and the evacuation of about 100 residents of houses on stilts on the lake, Hipulan added.