Archive for the ‘Jokes Aside’ Category

  • 13 Oct

    Posted by
    Joni


    Category

    God’s Love Letter

    9

    My child,

    you may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up(Psalm 139:2), I am familiar with your ways (Psalm 139:3), even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matt 10:29-31). For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28), for you are my offspring (Acts 17:28).

    I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12), You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book(Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), and brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6).

    I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me (John 8:41-44) I am not distant and angry, but I am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16) and it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1 John 3:1) Simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1) I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11) For I am the perfect father (Matthew 5:48) Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17) For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33)

    My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalms 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41)

    And I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3) If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29) Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)
    For it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13)

    I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20) For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11)

    One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4) And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4) I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23) For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17:26) He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3) He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31) And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

    Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
    His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10)
    I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32) If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23) And nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39)

    Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7) I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15)

    My question is, will you be my child? (John 1:12-13)
    I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32)

    Love,
    Your Dad. Almighty God

  • 19 Aug

    Posted by
    Joni


    Category

    Walking like a ghost

    7

    A few days ago, I was excited for Friday to come. There were people I was gonna meet and a gathering I was gonna attend. But at the end of the night, I was surprised to hear myself say that the night actually turned out to be a disaster.

    I got off from work at 4PM yesterday. I was supposed to meet 3 people separately later that evening so while it was still early, I walked around the mall, drank a cup of coffee, read a book for about 3 hours. Two of them sent me text messages (the other one ignored me) to say that they were gonna meet me but for some reason, they didn’t. One had to be some place else that’s more important, and the other just suddenly stopped replying to my messages. I waited some more because I didn’t want all my waiting and effort to go to waste, but to no avail. By 9PM, I was on my way home.

    I got even more ticked off while I was traveling. I gave the FX driver a 50peso bill, and while he was handing me back my change, he attempted to hold my hand. Actually, it felt more like a grip. So before he could completely lock my hand with his fingers, I snatched it away, knocking the coins down to the floor. I would’ve punched his face if that wasn’t such an offensive thing to do. I loathe disrepectful guys who take advantage of women.

    And if that’s not enough, after I got off the FX, two jeepneys drove past in front of me without noticing me hailing for a ride. Finally, one stopped. But before I had completely gotten myself inside, it drove away hastily I got off-balanced, almost slipping off. It was so rude that I wanted to give the driver a piece of my mind. But before I could think of doing that I was already deep in thought on how it felt like I was a ghost right at that moment.

    It was very strange, but it explains a lot of what happened last night. Most of the people I sent text messages to didn’t respond.. I was gonna meet some people but not one pushed through.. those two jeepneys ignored me on the street and the one — who didn’t — failed to notice that I wasn’t even halfway aboard yet.. and I even texted some more people when I got home but didn’t receive anything in return. I felt like I didn’t exist that I almost cried last night.

    Yeah, maybe I just made a big deal out of what happened. But I couldn’t deny it, I got very very sad.

    Then again, when I come to think of it, I also enjoyed my time walking, reading and drinking coffee alone. It reminded me a lot of what I used to do. I’ve always been some kind of a loner that’s why I value my “alone” times. It’s just that, last night was really disappointing and sad. And I just thought I’d blog about it. But I’m okay now so there’s nothing to worry about. :D And I’ve got a new Haruki Murakami book, so it’s all even. Haha. Man, that guy can write!

  • 19 Jun

    Posted by
    Joni


    Category

    Sentimental Fool

    2

    Today, I went to visit our old apartment to check out some things. It’s been a 3 weeks since I left the place that I’ve gotten accustomed to for 11 long months. And I can’t quite put a finger at the feeling I had while I was walking along the familiar streets of the neighborhood and the safe apartment building I’ve grown to love.

    For someone who’s an introvert, I am often easily saddened and taken aback by the happenings/changes in my life. It’s just like the first week in college when I was crying every night because I couldn’t let go of my “high school” and I had a hard time dealing with the fact that I wasn’t gonna spend that much time with my batchmates anymore. And it’s like the time after college when I left home to find work in Manila and I spent all those nights alone in my cousin’s house crying because I kept missing everyone back home. And not only those lifestages, but some other significant things that took place. Yes, I could be such a crybaby. Ironic when I always wanna have something new in my life and yet I always have a hard time coping up with the changes that come with it.

    However, I know of a remedy known to most as the most effective one: time.

    Because after some time, I get over my issues and finally move on. It’s not always easy but it happens. And it’s not always easy looking back that road again because it reminds me a lot of how I used to feel, but after much more time I realize that I’m more callused that I think I am.

    Above all, it’s always comforting to know that I have a God who never changes even if I and the things I hold dear constantly do. After everything that has happened in my life, after I’ve stubbornly refused to let go of things I’ve gotten used to, and after all the good and poor decisions I’ve made, He remains faithful.

    I confess that at times I unconsciously shut Him out of my life. But like the stubborn God that He also is, He just keeps pushing Himself in. So I can be a worldclass coward-childish-crybaby as much as I want but in the end what matters the most is how I’m being comforted and assured by His presence. And He’s something no amount of confusion can change.

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