A Panting Deer (A Reaction Paper to the docu film: A lamp in the Dark)

A Panting Deer (Disciple)

I remember the days when I lie still on my bed, thinking of the tasks ahead of me. Instead of hurrying up to get to my ‘daily bread’, I lie motionless, idle and unable to reach the book lying next at my desktop counter. I would think of the days when I wasted precious moments soaking on viewing photos of facebook friends rather than finishing my journal. The memory of countless mornings when I crave for a cup of coffee rather than ache for God’s word is very vivid…and they are tearing my heart. How many times have I not valued the Word of God, in the same way that our Christian forerunners have valued IT with their lives? They were unafraid of paying the price, even if it means paying it with their own blood. They were burned at the stakes, stoned to death, allowed to decay in prison. They were denied of their future, of their very lives, yet they were willing to go through the entire ordeal so that the future generations may have a grip of the truth. And yet, right now I am faced with the truth that the very book to which many harbingers have risked their lives, I have so often neglected.

It is not that I do not read it or take heed to what it says. I do read it, scan it and love its content. But I guess I did not read, scanned and loved it they way it should be. Never did it dawn on me how difficult it was to actually put it into one piece, handing it down from one passionate man to the other, surviving one cruel generation to the other. The film opened my eyes to what is supposedly obvious to me, to value the Bible as it should be. It wonderfully oriented me to the tireless pursuit of Christian heroes to transcend God’s message across ages, tribes and countries.

My reading experience was never the same again. Every time I turn the pages, I would remember scenes from the documentary and I can’t help but marvel at the determination and passion of the men and women who painstakingly brought them all together. It also edified the truth I already know, that if God wills it to happen, it will really happen. Like putting the bible altogether, there were many oppositions have tried to go against it but the purposes of our Lord still prevailed.

In ending, it is my prayer that this realization will not be a dust in the wind. I pray the Psalmist prayer:

“As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you (and your Word), my God. “
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?  -Psalm 45:2

Emphasis mine  

Hello March!!!

Hello March!!!!

I can't believe it! This month, I am turning a year old!

quarter f a century plus a year. Yes, 26 years old.

I had sort of a month long celebration (it is still the 21st day of march, pwede ka bang humabol just in case wala ka pang gift...hahahha)

My workmates/friends in ER opened the month with a supposedly well orchestrated surprise at our infamous special care unit room (where all other surprises are conjured.hahaha). But the master bistado in me fished for some clues and before they know it, eh bistado na sila...sympre..hahahha...

Nonetheless, I was surprised at how they have put at all the effort of coming up with my surprise birthday bash complete with all the birthday essentials. plus flowers!, awwwww. Aren't they sweet?

Special thanks to Team CEE!

On the fourth day of March, my TRUE LOVE sent to me

I was working on my birthday. I went on an am shift. Everybody was so surprised and when asked why, I just replied I wanted my day to be productive! It was a time well spent with people who matters. Quality time with God and dinner with family:). Refer to my facebook for my birthday post: http://www.facebook.com/rizzalanggita

My ideal kind of birthday

My actual birthday celebration was celebrated with Joyce, my best friend from high school, and with my girls here in Mati. We went to the reception study and diagnostic center (RSDC). It's a shelter for abused kids and women. We had fun preparing for the food and games of the kids. We went there ready to bring hope and joy and fun to the residents. But to our surprise, when we arrived, they were very much prepared to treat us on our day. Complete with all the backdrop, program, presentations and hearts that are ready to give to us. Personally, I was so blessed with how they have such a positive outlook in life despite of their situation. 

We shared to them the love of Jesus and in my heart of hearts, I was  whispering prayers for them: "God, these are your children and I know You love them . Use as God, that even as this  short time  that we are here  we will be mirrors of Your great love for them. 

Celebration of Friendship 
Head on to Davao for an instant sendoff for Maris. Happy to see my bubbly, optimistic, go getter college friends!haven't seen them in a while...Too bad that we did come together only to see one of us leaving :(
My best pabaon: prayers!!!!:)
With little sleep, I hurried back to mati for my pm duty. Good thing, I was a chance passenger (naks, parang flight lang ah.hehehe) I was really having a throbbing headache. huhuhu. End of Endorsement and the headache seems to worsen...And then, tadda...Lbc delivery man appears! and the headache seem to go away with the surge of happy hormones! I've got mail!!!!(from Lecky of Kabacan)
Yay. First timer lang! I remembered I was wishfully thinking what it was like to receive flowers and gift while on duty (blame it on IG, I saw my friends posting some photos of them receiving gifts/flowers while on duty.hahaha.hopeless romantic lang talaga) And I did receive the things I wish for:)
Only the sender is not some random guy, they are people who love me and treasure me for me:)

Thank you Lord for March!
I am excited for the things that You have in store for me on my 26th year:)
Weeeeeeee!!!!Bring it on!

2013: Living from His Overflow

 Yes, I know it is march already. BUt just so you know and just so I can shout it out to the whole world and to the enemy... I am declaring that this year shall be a year of Abundance. A year of living from His overflow... And I've got a whole Psalm Chapter to support my claim!!!
 Psalm 65[a] For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.
 1 Praise awaits[b] you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.
 3 When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave[c] our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
9 You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.[d]
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
 11 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. 
So bring it on 2013!!!!

the lost get found

After a year or so of 'losing' my blogger password over heaps of deranged thoughts in my hypothalamus, I finally managed to corner it somehow. And to think remembering it was all spontaneous. It was as if a light bulb flickered somewhere and suddenly I remembered what it was. And I thought, how ridiculous of me to forget something at one time only to remember it vividly the next time. And so here I am, as happy as a swarming bee finding its hive.

Speaking of... And then I realized, this is so comparable to my walk in Christ during my previous years as a young Christian. I remember there are times wherein I would be so aloof and forgetful of God's grace and mercy in my life. These times are often spent by me sulking in my frustrations and insecurities. These are the moments that I would forget the 'password' of Christian living, the very secret of unlocking God's heart. And it's as if that no matter how I try I can not seem to figure out what the 'password' is. But God, in his inexorable love and infinite grace would always light a bulb somewhere and then instantly, I would remember.I know exactly what keys to hit to open His never been closed heart. Then and only then can I devour once again on what is inside His blog, I can pour out my thoughts to Him and we would be engaged in an intimate intercourse of whatever is under the sun. Oh that I may never forget... And so this is my prayer: "Oh that I would not forget.. Oh that I would never be blinded... Oh that I would always be reminded of how great Your love is for me." So help me God. Not even one instant moment Lord!