Someone

I may not be able to see beyond the ocean
but somewhere there, I know there's someone
many "someones" that make my life better
So many people have been there just at the time I need "someone"
Sometimes I feel like a runner with many people standing on the way, cheering me to the finish lines of life, one after the other.
If one day you see me being nice, trying to aid, do not be surprised. I am so indebted in many ways that I could never ever repay and I'm just trying to do same.
Thank you to my someones, wherever you are!

An end is not a finality but a new beginning!

Today, I heard a story that made me smile a little. A man told a story about the fun times he had with his brother. He said one day, his brother and himself climbed on the bunk bed in their room. His brother jumped to the floor shouting "Tarzan". When it was his turn, he took a blanket and jumped shouting "Superman" trying to fly with his blanket behind him. He landed head first!

The thing is, sometimes, I feel like this second guy. Declaring, imagining things I can do or could do. I even share it with others.

This summer, with all the leadership lessons I received and the community living I experienced, I came to realize that, even though I thought I had insight and thought I knew so much, all I had known before was only a beginning of what life, relationships and everything is.

At first I was not too enthusiastic with this realization because the confidence I have built in the things I know was shaken.

Today, I can say this, when it feels like the end in a good or bad way, it is not finality but the start of a new beginning. Life is exciting. Landing head-on can be tough at times, especially when it does not happen to everybody. If I can still stand up each day, it could be better because Jesus assures me he will never abandon nor forsake me.

I find solace.

A time for everything under the sun

I am grateful for this time in my life this summer and how different it is. It is not necessarily an exhilarating and    fairy-tale-y happy moment all the time. Like the wise man says, there's a time for everything under the sun.

There is a time to plant and a time to uproot.

I have been a Christian for many years, read Bible passages many times, listened to many versions of preaching of the same passages. I have learned immensely throughout the years and seen the power of Jesus so alive in countless ways.

Though it feels like that’s all there is, it is actually only the beginning.

I am going to take the risk of being vulnerable and say, I tend to have the “attitude of the Pharisees” instead.

What is the “attitude of the Pharisees”?

It is failing to establish the link between what the word of God says and how that is applicable in everyday life and by so doing, presenting an untrue image of Christ.

Case in point, the Pharisees and teachers of the law read and taught how it was not cool at all to sabotage the Sabbath. This is a true and valid claim. Now Jesus comes up and heals a lady on the Sabbath and they are so mad about it and fail to see the whole point. All they could see was how this Jesus guy was not honoring the mighty word of God.

Let’s be candid Pharisee, why are you mad that this woman who could be your Mum, your sister, your best friend, your wife, your dorm room mate is healed? Jesus is a friend.

Today, contexts are different, even the case points are subtle. Following this trend  even at the risk of feebleness, I will illustrate this with myself. As I mentioned before, I grew up in the true teachings and doctrines of Christ, in matters regarding salvation, baptism, marriage, speaking in tongues, music and miracles.

Behaving like a Pharisee means living a way that shows that this is all there is.

Bottom line, Jesus sat and ate with everyday people; he did not judge them but loved them. I know this and I say it to myself and others all the time but to be honest, I fail most at times to see the ways in which I can live this.

I am able to see more clearly now especially resent examples of me not being that great and my prayer is that before the summer ends, I will have examples that demonstrate that I am learning, understanding and applying the next level of my journey.

Is it possible to be set-up to succeed?

Through

I still have more than half of my support to raise.
This is what I have to say: 

                                                                         

I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.

Face to face with myself

There some interesting television programs where people get to live together for a purpose. Most of their lives are on camera. What is most interesting is when they get into fights; do not agree with each other and the making of friends, enemies and clicks that compete with each other.

Here at the beach project, we are like those people on the shows but not exactly. It is not a survival program where some people give up at some point or the other.

Everyone is a winner from the start and will be one at the end, hence no need for drama. The victory is not less thrilling because some people did not fail so others could win. This is a point but it is not my main point for now.

At this instant, even with others all around, I stand face to face with myself and as I told a friend, I come in contact with those aspects of me that I can avoid when I have other things going on. That is not an easy thing for me; coming in touch with aspects of ineffectuality and speculation.

I'm I a winner?

Cares

I will cast all my cares upon you

I lay down my burdens

down at your feet

Anywhere, anytime

I don't know what to do

I will cast all my cares upon you

Author unknown, at least to me.