"When others give us compliments, They are so easy to believe; And though it’s wise to take rebukes, We find them harder to receive. —Sper"
I got that from the Daily Bread entry on February 11, 2008, The Wounds of a Friend.
I realized that it does take a certain level of humility, maturity and courage to accept a rebuke for something wrong we've done. We usually end up being on the defensive side once our attention is called. We go to great lengths of justifying our deeds, no matter how inconsistent and illogical they may be. Worst, we end up shooting down those who deliver the message of the Lord or putting up walls around us just so we can protect ourselves and our dignity...pride.
However, we should realize that there are people out there who have good intentions. They do not seek to uplift themselves at our expense. Their mission is to make us realize, in a good and loving way, that we have gone astray. They are there to help us get back onto the right path of righteousness.
It is said in the same entry at the Daily Bread that “he who receives correction is prudent” (Prov. 15:5) and “wise” (9:8-9).
In 2 Samuel 12:1-13, Nathan was sent by the Lord to rebuke David, who took the wife of one of his soldiers and have the latter put in front of the battle to be killed. Upon hearing the message from Nathan, David immediately admitted that he sinned against the Lord. Immediately, he was forgiven for his sins and was told that he is not going to die.
Isn't the Lord a wonderful God? He always gives us second chances as long as we admit our guilt and ask forgiveness, His arms is always open to us, his children.
Today, I pray, that I will be able to accept the rebuke of people who actually cares for me. I pray that I put down the walls I have created and allow my friends to see through me and help me get back to the right path. I pray that I can do the same to others, with love and wisdom.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
My Nephew and My Niece
This photo was taken recently by my sister, bek, when she went home for a short vacation. It was taken in our house while my nephew, Enteng, and niece, Thea, were goofing around.
Enteng is a budding artist. He can draw freehand and using a computer (I forgot what software he uses). He's also in the top ten of his 1st year high school class.
Thea can recite and identify each letter in the alphabet, count until 30, answer the phone and, sing. She has memorized a lot of songs, most notably of which are the Carpenter's "I know I need to be in love" and "Yesterday once more", the latter she knows only the refrain at this point. She can really carry a tune. All this she can do even before she turned 2!
Simply amazing these two youngsters!
And nice photo...don't you think so?
I miss home...
Enteng is a budding artist. He can draw freehand and using a computer (I forgot what software he uses). He's also in the top ten of his 1st year high school class.
Thea can recite and identify each letter in the alphabet, count until 30, answer the phone and, sing. She has memorized a lot of songs, most notably of which are the Carpenter's "I know I need to be in love" and "Yesterday once more", the latter she knows only the refrain at this point. She can really carry a tune. All this she can do even before she turned 2!
Simply amazing these two youngsters!
And nice photo...don't you think so?
I miss home...
My thoughts on Long Distance Relationships
I was listening to this podcast about long distance relationships and it got me to thinking - Do long distance relationship really last? Can they survive tests and temptations?
In any issue, there are two sides - one is for it, while the other one is...well...not for it.
I do believe that the most important ingredient of love is trust. It is the thread that binds two people together, without which the relationship will just fall apart. As such, each party has to give the other a certain level of trust, maybe a complete-one, in order for a relationship to survive.
This becomes more important if the lovers are living far apart from each other, not being able to meet up and/or communicate with each other online. Distance can really put a strain on the relationship especially when the communication between them is not consistent. There has to be an agreed upon time and day when the call or a chat occurs. Each party has to really be ready to put aside time for such an event.
Likewise, a meeting every now and then, physically, has to happen. That is very important, to say the least, for a relationship to prosper.
Finally, loyalty should be the order of the day. Loyalty is a consequence of trust. That is, if you require that your partner trusts youthen you, yourself must be trustworthy...loyal. It is important that one has to realize that there is a relationship to take care of...to think about...to look forward to.
Although, initially, I have some misgivings about the ability of people to maintain relationships when they live at different places, I also admit that it could work. There is nothing impossible in this world as long as we believe in it and we work hard to achieve it.
How about you? What are your thoughts on this topic?
In any issue, there are two sides - one is for it, while the other one is...well...not for it.
I do believe that the most important ingredient of love is trust. It is the thread that binds two people together, without which the relationship will just fall apart. As such, each party has to give the other a certain level of trust, maybe a complete-one, in order for a relationship to survive.
This becomes more important if the lovers are living far apart from each other, not being able to meet up and/or communicate with each other online. Distance can really put a strain on the relationship especially when the communication between them is not consistent. There has to be an agreed upon time and day when the call or a chat occurs. Each party has to really be ready to put aside time for such an event.
Likewise, a meeting every now and then, physically, has to happen. That is very important, to say the least, for a relationship to prosper.
Finally, loyalty should be the order of the day. Loyalty is a consequence of trust. That is, if you require that your partner trusts youthen you, yourself must be trustworthy...loyal. It is important that one has to realize that there is a relationship to take care of...to think about...to look forward to.
Although, initially, I have some misgivings about the ability of people to maintain relationships when they live at different places, I also admit that it could work. There is nothing impossible in this world as long as we believe in it and we work hard to achieve it.
How about you? What are your thoughts on this topic?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Procrastination
Another day at work ended quite late. It's been a day of meetings and meetings...and some more. We've talked about a lot of issues that will have to be resolved ASAP.
Yes, that's what we usually do...resolve issues and straighten up problems (although, we also plan and strategize for the future of the company.)
Back to resolution of problems, I realize that we all should face issues head on. Procrastination wouldn't turn problems away. If you do that, you're just putting it aside (hoping that it will go away or resolve itself). It will be too late to realize that whatever it is that you are running away from will catch up with and bite you from the 'behind' eventually.
That's what I am experiencing now. If only I faced them early on, I wouldn't be in this situation now.
Well...it's time to face the music...I just hope everything will go well...if not, I just have to suffer the consequences.
Lesson learned...the hard way...
Yes, that's what we usually do...resolve issues and straighten up problems (although, we also plan and strategize for the future of the company.)
Back to resolution of problems, I realize that we all should face issues head on. Procrastination wouldn't turn problems away. If you do that, you're just putting it aside (hoping that it will go away or resolve itself). It will be too late to realize that whatever it is that you are running away from will catch up with and bite you from the 'behind' eventually.
That's what I am experiencing now. If only I faced them early on, I wouldn't be in this situation now.
Well...it's time to face the music...I just hope everything will go well...if not, I just have to suffer the consequences.
Lesson learned...the hard way...
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