So how've you been?

Car talk: my daughter and I checked out the Geely Panda Philippines showroom along North EDSA yesterday. Natuwa kami... okay, ako. It's such a cute car. Will now seriously think about selling my Getz. :)

All is rooted in love

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

I read out of Ephesians 4 today as part of the devotions I'm doing for the church in Greenhills. Verse 2 in particular struck me because it contains three character traits that I strive to have but really don't have naturally, and thus I rely on and need the grace of God to make it happen.

Lord, I need you.

Bothered

It's been almost a week since my main website took a major hit from Google. I'm working now on building community, but it gets me down because it's not showing up at all on Google. *hay*

Listening to Planetshakers You Are God

Aww, crap

It looks like Google did something to me again. lol The hits on the other website are down 60%. Sucks to be me right now, with my son battling the mumps and my site's traffic down, 83% of which is search engine driven. Ah, I need to build me some community!

Listening to The Museum

Daniel Fast Day #8

Today, I'm on the eighth day of my Daniel fast. It hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be, primarily because I love vegetables to begin with. I'm trying to get more creative with my food choices, even as I wait on God to heal three people of their cancers. They're so strong; it's the least I can do to help support them.

Listening to: Casting Crowns, Courageous

Craving the word

The past week, I've been participating in the Crave devotionals of the church in Greenhills that I work for. I'm enjoying myself immensely; I feel God is speaking to me and preparing me for the next season. Exciting stuff.

Listening to Luminate Innocent

Humbled

God is teaching me a thing or two about humility. I praise Him for His mercy.

Listening to: Francesca Battistelli Motion of Mercy

As a Christian blogger, I find it important that fellowship with other people who operate their own Christian blog can be quite helpful. If you'd like to join a fellowship of Filipino-Christian bloggers, you can join this Facebook group here.

Listening to: Tenth Avenue North Strong Enough to Save

Wedding day!

Today is the wedding day of two of my friends, Bojo and Ronna. So happy for the two of them! Because of the wedding, I may have to miss the Japan: Kingdom of Characters exhibit at the Met today, but it continues until August, so I'll bring Nicki and Nathan there another time.

Listening to Shawn McDonald Rise

Rebuking disease

Too many people in my circle of influence are ill. This morning, I was just overwhelmed by it all, but you know what? God is a healing God. He is Jehovah Rophe, the God Who heals. And He will heal us in His timing, His perfect timing, according to His perfect will. I am claiming healing for hundreds, thousands, millions, and God will take the glory and credit because He loves us.

Listening to Sidewalk Prophets You Love Me Anyway

Productive day

Got four items on my to-do list, and I'm looking forward to accomplishing all of them before the day is through! Come on now!

Listening to Francesca Battistelli Motion of Mercy

Rats!

Yesterday, I fixed a leaking faucet, paid two bills, met up with an accountability partner, and set rat traps. Caught three mice. Yesz!

Listening to Montell Jordan Shake Heaven

Rainy days

Tropical storm Falcon - yeah, that's its name - has dumped a lot of rain on Manila, turning our city into a virtual swimming pool. I've been home the entire time, but one of my tweets about Araneta Avenue being chest-deep for former Philippine president Gloria Arroyo was picked up by a feed on GMA News. Surreal.

Listening to: 2NE1 I Am The Best

Find rest o my soul

Today, I really cried out to God. I was demoralized, discouraged, and depressed. I have yet another sore throat - starting to wonder if there's really something wrong with me, I get this on a regular basis - and God just spoke to me in my devotion, reminding me about how I can rest in Him.

"Find rest, o my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him." Ps 62:5

I was so encouraged.

Listening to: Casting Crowns Courageous

My laptop crashed!

... and I am inconsolable.

Listening to: Casting Crowns Courageous

Long day ahead

But it's going to be good. I love Sundays. They give me an opportunity to really rely on God. And those opportunities are the best kind, because you know He won't fail you. You may not get what you always want, but you know you'll get what's best for you.

Listening to: Third Day Trust in Jesus

Happy birthday, Nicola!

It's my four-year-old's birthday today. I love you, Nicola! You're such a blessing to Mommy and Daddy!

Listening to: Trin-i-tee 5:7 I Am Not Alone

No longer a single parent

My wife is back after two days in Subic (Anvaya) as part of her team-building efforts with her staff. I've had difficulty sleeping the past two days, mainly because my kids were sleeping with me. Now that she's home, I'll bet I'll sleep like a baby.

Listening to: Ryan Stevenson We Got the Light

Birdie bank

I recently purchased three small Angry Birds coin banks. The red one I gave to Nathan, the black one went to Caths, and I kept the speedy yellow one, whose slot is unfortunately smaller than the others. The Php10 and Php5 coins are difficult to insert. But isn't that what saving is about? Sometimes, saving money is difficult, and sometimes, it hurts. But when the time comes, you'll literally feel better when you "break the bank." Praise God for coin blessings!

Listening to: Laura Story Blessings

Remix City

After five remixes, I gotta admit I'm dry. I still have about five more songs to remix, but I'm running out of creativity. Hopefully, it'll get better by tomorrow.

Listening to: Group 1 Crew Let's Go