My biggest surprise for the day: I actually own some titles from the Pop Culture and Philosophy series. This quote is from an essay by Mark White for the X-Men and Philosophy volume. It’s actually a very interesting read, and I never fully realized how complicated some comic book characters were until I followed this series. Some titles from the series include Iron Man and Philosophy (“Facing the Stark Reality!”) and Watchmen and Philosophy. š
How are you welcoming the new year, my friend? š
Iām not a fan of noises so I would rather welcome the new year solemnly. A loving whisper of a new beginning is enough.
Itās been a roller coaster ride for me in the past year and it sure would be again for the coming one and the next. Iām grateful for finishing another round of the ride, with the ups and downs and twists and turns, whew! I barely made it. Still, I thank God for the good things and the bad. They molded me into a better person, though I do not quite see it much myself.
I thank Him for never letting me go in the midst of my falling and failure; for being the One who holds me tight when I loosely held unto Him. And Iām still in the process of taking in all that just happened: remembering, reminiscing and realizing how God hasā¦
View original post 207 more words
Project 365: January 3
Quote taken from John Eldredge’s Walking with God
Project 365: January 2
P.S.
I have realized that using quotes from page 365 would not work for most of the books that I actually like, so I have tweaked my preferences a little bit while still retaining the 365 element to the page system. So now I look for quotes from the following pages: 36, 41 (36+5), 65, 68 (65+3), and lastly, 365. I found that it was a better scheme since I would have more quotes to choose from.
This quote in particular stood out for me for two reasons: 1) I have recently watched The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers again, on HBO and on Blu-Ray (that’s about 8 hours of my life right there), and 2) I just adore Treebeard and I was secretly wishing that I could use this particular quote (or is it line? or scene?). Already excited for Day 3! š
Just another 365 days thing
It’s already a new year on my side of the planet and the undeniable urgency of certain things suddenly dawned on me the moment I woke up today (read as: thesis). As my mind was scrambling for a semblance of organization and my hands were mindlessly typing some words on chat boxes, I saw a post by my friend Samantha. No, it’s not a personal diatribe but a site showcasing the projects some people vowed to do for every day of the year, hence the title “Make Something 365 & Get Unstuck.”
Most people feel stuck all the time– with their work, relationships, and the slew of decisions that they have made. As the year ends, while we look back on the good memories that the year has brought, we also can’t help but ponder on our regrets. But the new year brings with it the promise that, indeed, we can get unstuck from the quagmire we have been in. We can start over. (But, no. That does not mean that I am going to start my thesis all over again, okay? What needs to be overhauled is a sense of responsibility.)
The 365 days project could be as simple as taking a photo of cute babies everyday or as complicated as making owl figurines out of, let’s say, broken uncooked pasta. It could be anything, as long as it encourages you to be creative. I really want to do something simple, yet still thoroughly stimulating. If anything, the two things I feel rather proud to be doing on my spare time are reading books and tinkering with Photoshop. (The other thingsĀ I do but am not proud of includes sleeping, eating a lot of salty chips, and watching way too much Spongebob Squarepants.)
So, I have decided to do “365 Quotes from page 365.” (And, yes. Some of my books are that thick.) I have already started with a quote from the Holy Bible. It’s on page 365 of my Bible, the one that I am personally using right now. Not only is it a great quote to start this project, but it also serves as a great promise for us this coming year. May you have a great and prosperous new year, my friend! š
“His infinite forgiveness is free as much as it frees. Will you let His Love come alive in you?”
As the new year comes, how would you respond to His call? š
How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?-How Many Kings, Downwhere
Years ago, the Christmas spirit meant the December breeze, the smell of roasted ham, and the twinkling lights at home. It felt good, sentimental, and peaceful.
But this year, I find that the Christmas spirit descended like an intense, awestruck feeling upon the realization of the Saviorās birth. The reality of the first Christmas was not a warm home, a full belly, and new gifts by midnight. Instead, it was a cold, bloody, and smelly scene. Perhaps even the grittiest Nativity figures of today would appear too clean and too pretty!
Mary had to travel pregnantā¦
View original post 364 more words
Still searching for the true joy of Christmas? Maybe we have been looking for it in all the wrong places. Let us give Jesus a try. š
Christian tradition holds the third Sunday of advent as the Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete of course comes from Latin, which means, ārejoiceā, or for the sake of being more imperative, āexperience joyā. As a young boy listening to the preacher, I said to myself, āHmmā¦ that ought to be easy!ā
As a kid, joy was a rather simple concept. Joy was having a cone of my favorite ice cream, or going downstairs to find the toy Iāve been eyeing for weeks now sitting on our dining table as a reward for good grades. Joy was sitting inside the cinema to watch my heroes save the day. It was the bite of caramelized popcorn. It was seeing my red cape swoosh through the air as I jump from a flight of stairs. It was being given the honor, among a hundred nursery kids, to hold up the tip of the flag duringā¦
View original post 829 more words
Where do you get your joy this holiday season? š
Christmas is nothing withoooouuuutā¦ ________!
I heard this phrase earlier today in a TV commercial. In that advertisement, a group of people filled in the blank. Some answered āChristmas is nothing without the gifts, the carols, giving, the small and big gatherings.ā If I would Ā answer it, it will be the gifts, noche buena and parties! How about you, how will you answer that question?
I am not rooting against all of these things, Iād love to see and experience them as well. It brings the spirit of Christmas in me. Itās nostalgic! After all, these are all just our way of expressing joy to ourselves and love for others.
But this thought came to mind: what about people who suffered great loss before the season? A week ago, a Typhoon Bopha, locally known as Pablo, hit the bottom part of the Philippines, leaving around hundreds of people homeless andā¦
View original post 865 more words
In the midst of all our holiday preparations, do we take time to remember what Christmas is really for? Another amazing entry at Stillwaters blog by Samantha Coronado.
Being the Secret Santa to my boss was quite challenging ā I had to make a greeting card. What do I draw? Golden bells, singing choirs, snowmen, and lighted candles? These are too cliche that I was forced to dig deeper to find the truth about Christmas. Underneath all the merry-making and cheery feelings, how do I illustrate it?
The picture I came up with, however, was quite depressing. The anticipation for the birth of Jesus is hidden behind fake pine trees and cherubs. The gifts and feasts appeared too picture-perfect to actually be served. The blushing Claus and flying reindeer do not even exist. These decorations are what we have come to call Christmas. Merry, but meaningless.
What an amazing choice He made, for the King to become human and dwell among our cluttered world and cluttered hearts. Then, and until now. Even after he lived and diedā¦
View original post 102 more words
Will probably write a flash-fiction about a suicidal sheep who changed his mind when he saw the light from the manger. Or about how unhygienic it would be to be born in a manger. Whatever floats His boat. :))
Christmas lights and decorations.Ā Check!Ā Gift list for kris kringles.Ā Check!Ā Travel destination for the holidays.Ā Check!
Reflecting on the Saviorās birthā¦ checked?
Stillwaters Blog is inviting you to intentionally ponder what Christās coming means for you thru theĀ Advent Challenge: Blog Edition.
Every week, we will have a theme for our posts where you can share your thoughts relating to Christmas. This week will be about Faith, next week is about Hope, and the week after will be about Love (see 1 Corinthians 13:13).
We know youāre creative. Thatās why your contributions could be in the form of a story, poetry, photography, digital art, essay, comics, videos, songs ā whatever inspired means! But we highly encourage that you really take time to meet the Lord in your secret place. Other than that, itās as easy as e-mailing your piece to stillwoblogs@gmail.com.
Letās anticipate not just the festive holidays butā¦
View original post 19 more words
Must Love Couches 