Arlene Manocot's Blog, page 9

Greatest Gift Ever: We're Not Perfect but We're Getting Better

Christmas is...
It's the most wonderful time of the year. 
It's the season to be happy. 
It also means only a week before the end of the year 2022. 
And another year is about to begin. Isn't it surreal to be able to survive another life year here on earth where everything is passing and only temporary? Yes, it is, definitely. 
How life has been for you? 
I hope you have lived and have been alive in every moment for the past 358 days. You did a great job of making it today, and in advance, as well as in the years to come!
The year 2022 has been good for me. Well, I'm not saying it's perfect and free of concerns and challenges just like the past years which I thought were not even good. I am just glad and grateful that I am here. Having the time to do things that must be done. Though difficulties and failures are ahead of us, it is important that we move forward. To keep on moving toward the future and never look back or dwell in the past. We must forgive but never forget. We learned so much from the past and it is a great gift to live in the present and look forward to the future. 
Every year has its own difficulties. Be it a problem, heartache, frustration, disappointment, failure, fear, sorrow, or even death, this passing life can never be free from any of it. They are also here to pass, thus, life is still good.
Why do I say that life is still good?
Because the Giver of life is good. He made everything good with a purpose. I wouldn't be able to say that life has been good or that life is good if it wasn't because of receiving the greatest gift ever. The peace, the love, the life, the hope, and the joy He brought to this passing world make everything seems bearable because of Him, the greatest gift ever. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16

Have you received the greatest gift ever?
If you haven't, then, now is the perfect time to receive the perfect gift and the greatest present ever. Don't let it pass on you. May I just remind you that accepting Him doesn't mean we already become perfect in this imperfect world, this sounds cliche but it's true. Instead, we're getting better and better because He is the great enabler we all need. Receive and you live! Unwrap the greatest gift ever!

Story Time: YOLO or YODO?

When memories flashed before your eyes in broad daylight, it was one of the most peaceful experiences you could ever have during your stay here on earth. It was calming and mind-blowing all at the same time. And after a few more days, you realized how scary the experience was. It was surreal. 
That's exactly how I felt when I got involved in a road incident. After more than a week, I finally fully grasped the severity of the incident, I almost lost my life in that one wrong move in a split second. I never thought this kind of accident would ever happen in my existence. And there you go and it did happen, but I thank God, I'm still alive and kicking. I should always be reminded that I have to be extra careful always. 

One philosopher said YOLO or You Only Live Once, and another contradicts the other, he coined YODO which stands for You Only Die Once. Do you YOLO or YODO?
I guess I may agree more with the latter and it is a reality that we have to face that we really die once, physically. No one in this world is exempted from death, when one's life expires, that's it, it will cease to exist. We have to be reminded that we get to live every single day. It is a chance, an opportunity to live, love, worship, be grateful, and make the most of the life that has been given to us. 
For once, I thought life was fleeting and senseless to be celebrated and lived victoriously. That life was nothing. It had no purpose. I questioned the Creator who made us in this sickening world that we dwell in. Why would He make us only to experience pain and suffering? Why would he mold a sinful human being? Why would He? I was ignorant and foolish not to know the answers to these cries.       There was a time in my life when I wanted to end my existence. I no longer wanted to live. I had lost the purpose of life and was blinded by the pain other people caused me. I blamed them for the misery and losses. At one point in my life, I became a ball of negative and dark energy, like a bomb that could explode anytime and damage everything around it. I was basically self-destructing and it was affecting the people around me, especially my loved ones.   
I knew I couldn't escape the ball of negative energy with my strength and power alone. The negativity held me back from the light and I needed someone who could pacify and put peace to the raging thoughts that bombarded me and wouldn't let me be. I knew I needed someone.
And that someone is Jesus. He reached out to me. He saved me. He healed me. He freed me. He became my peace and hope, the light on my feet. He brought life into me and filled it with joy. 
I am far from being perfect. I still have problems to deal and challenges to overcome with. Flaws are everywhere to be pointed out in me, and there are times when I feel like I am a walking disaster at my worst. 
But the good news is in life I don't have to go through with it alone. That also goes for you, yes you! You don't have to go through with it alone. You are not alone, never alone. Walk with Him and experience the abundance of joy in brokenness. You will be healed, in the mighty name of Jesus!
Live every single day of our life! Make the most of it! Love and be loved! 
Ingat!

When Everything Seems Uncertain, Plant Hope

There is nothing certain in life. And in the world, we live in, the happiness you feel right now may eventually turn into sadness. Or it could be that one minute you're sad then the other you're happy. How exciting life really is! I wonder if God, who is in control of everything intended it to be that way. The roller coaster ride we get to experience in life is an invigorating adventure we must all live to the fullest. 
Humbled by the knowledge of the One True God and His supreme sovereignty, I am in awe of His majestic and grand plan for those who love, obey, and put their faith in Him. Living a life that abides in Him alone is a difficult rocky road we can all trudge on only through Him and in Him. 

There is fear every time we face uncertainty in life. We lose hope and all the rationality we have mustered throughout our lives when worries and disappointments confront us face-to-face, upfront, and unapologetic. We feel defeated, discarded, unwanted, and worst, unworthy.
When hope is nowhere to be found, where do you look? Who do you seek? To whom do you turn? The answer is we turn to Him, to the One True Hope we can all put our faith with confidence and certainty. To the One who is the sufficient and limitless source of the truest form of hope. Jesus. The only hope that we all need. Pain, hardships, and rejection will always be there, they are part of the so-called life we all try to pass through victoriously. 
May God help us to plant hope in the weary hearts of those who thirst for peace, truth, and the perfect form of true love. Share the good news of salvation. 

Always plant hope, when everything seems uncertain. 

Biking-biking or Banking-banking: Which is which?

Biking-biking or banking-banking, which is which? 
Biking seems to be a fun idea for those who enjoy strolling around and exercising at the same time. As well as a good alternative of transportation for those who consider themselves eco-friendly citizens of the earth, provided that there is a shower area at their destination. Biking as we all know can be sweaty, one can perspire a lot; whether, in a gloomy or hot sky, sweat will always be there.  
Strolling on a bike is also an exercise, which I decided to do so since I felt breathless for the past weeks since face-to-face classes started. Going to the gym is an option but I am short on a budget, so biking is a go since I have my MTB getting stuck at home and it is much better to put it in use instead of letting it rust and turns old without putting it in good use. 
Banking-banking, on the other hand, is a made-up term I heard from my friends slash workmates. It is a humorous name they use for a boyfriend and girlfriend's road trips on a motorcycle, where the guy drives and the girl hugs her boyfriend from behind in the fast lane while doing an angle drift on a wide road. That is the extent of my imagination about the banking-banking thing. For quite a while, motorcycles depict danger on my part, whenever I see them on the road, they just move too fast and always want to get ahead of the others, like it is always a race, a very dangerous race. Nevertheless, using a motorcycle is beneficial for many it is convenient and practical for some. 
Biking-biking is a term I came up with to counter banking-banking. Well, biking-biking appeals more like a friendly road trip across genders and relationships. Whether you are solo, in a duo, or group, biking is satisfying and breathtaking. My panting for the past weeks, whenever I climbed stairs at school, is not that persistent anymore since I started biking again. It helps. I am trying to be consistent in biking to lessen or totally diminish my exhaustion from exertion to breathe whenever I walk or climb a short distance. So whenever I get the chance to bike I so get it!
Strolling on a wide road on a bike is a pleasant experience, a street free of other road users is a dream! An impossible one! I seldom see some lady bikers around the area I go to for biking. Where are they? Happy or sad, let's go biking-biking!

Addicted to ML, are you?

How does ML affect me so far? 

For some of you who doesn't know ML,  it is a popular online mobile game nowadays that is well loved and enjoyed by youngsters as well as by adults. 
During the 2-year CoVid-19 pandemic, I avoided playing the game since I couldn't seem to get the ins and outs of it, so I decided to stop and uninstall the app. I thought it was a waste of memory on my phone. The bottom line is I didn't know how to play the characters that's why I stop. 
Fast forward to 2022, I finally learned how to play the game even just a little. In victory and defeat!
For the past five months, I am consistently playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Oh, what a waste of time, some people might say. Maybe, yes. Maybe, no. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Maybe, I am addicted to ML, probably. The goal is to raise my rank. What a noble and priceless objective!
When I was just in Master and Grandmaster rank, I so wanted to reach the Epic level. It took me a month, during vacation to be exact, to finally reach the Epic rank. So what? Did my life got any better because I achieved that rank? The answer is no, but there is a big YES. It brought happiness when the game is played moderately. It connects people of all ages. It is fun, fulfilling, and satisfying game. It develops relationship, even fellowship if played in moderation.
Playing ML can be quite frustrating, especially for a beginner. There is a lot to learn about heroes, skills, builds, skins, and more and more. It was overwhelming at first and confusing as well, but if you have a good group of friends who are willing to teach you and patiently explain the essential details, then everything is a lot easier and a lot better. But do expect some harsh words in the game, as much as there is good vibes, there is also some bad vibes. It's either they get on your nerves or you get on their nerves, either way play it nice. Never give a remark that is below the belt, that is not fair and never pleasant. Play it nice, always.
Up until now, I want to raise my rank. Next goal is Legend and it is difficult. I persist on playing the game, and maybe next vacation, I will be able to make it on Legend rank. That's the spirit!
So far, I am enjoying the game. It brings good vibes from time to time in a once boring atmosphere. It is fun. So much fun, but again can be frustrating sometimes due to lose streak or an encounter of negative player during the in-game. Just be mindful and careful. Play and slay!

What do you pray for?

What do I pray for?

I pray for him. I pray and pray. Why do You never listen? You heard them, all my prayers, but Your response is silence. 
Only love can hurt like this. The song keeps playing in my head. Only love can hurt like this. There is a pain every time and sometimes I wish I no longer feel my heart breaking, it is tearing apart.
At night, when I am on my bed, waiting for sleep to visit, there are times I always end up crying. Tears flow like a river down my cheeks, asking You why I always end up like this whenever I like or I am praying for someone.  
Your grace is enough. This song never fails. Your grace is enough for me. This song speaks the truth. But why am I still yearning for him? Why do I feel this wanting and desire for him?

What do I pray for?

I pray that my desire for him to end and completely vanish because it only hurt me at the end of the day. I am happy when he pays attention to me. I am delighted when he replies to my message. I am on cloud nine when he appreciates me. I want all of him, but I know that it is impossible. He is not mine, to begin with. I pray that he will choose me, and pursue me, despite my weaknesses and flaws and shortcomings and all. I want him to want me like I want him.
He never told me his intention. I form a conclusion based on his random or maybe intentional action. We're a mess, going circles, round and round. Left and right, I don't know where to go. Should I stop and forget about him? Never look back, start moving forward once again in this journey where I keep on coming back and forth. I am stuck. It's a cycle, a loop, a paradox.

What do I pray for? 

I pray why do You let this happen to me, falling again and again, and now for him. I know there is a purpose for this experience, but what is it? I want to know. I need to know. Now. Do I sound demanding? Oh, Lord, You know how much I pray for someone like him. I am aware of the uncertainty and I fear it. But the assurance that You are always there surpasses all the doubts I have in my mind and heart. I know You're in control, sovereign, almighty, and all. You are the end and the beginning. You're my God, my Lord, and Saviour. 
Still, right now, I pray for him, his safety, good health, happiness, and all the best for his being. I want him to be joyful and rejoice in Your presence. 
I pray for him. 

Does he pray for me too?

I wonder.
And tonight, I am not crying. He made my night.
TYL. Again and again, I surrender.

The End Season

When is the end season? Oh how much, I look forward to that end season. The end of the waiting season. On these particular days of my life,  I am, again, tired and sad and lonely and lost. It feels like I lost connection to someone important. 
And right now I feel so not enough. I feel lacking and longing again. 
There was this person who appeared in my life after many years. And all of a sudden I thought maybe he was the one sent by God.  He brought hope and happy moments. I was genuinely happy during those spared times he spent with me. 
He was on and off. He was active but never present. He was reacting but never communicating. 
He was just there when it was convenient for him. 
I knew there was something wrong. It was weird and I almost fell into the trap, once again.  
I thought this kind of longing already disappeared and permanently vanished in my system, but it was there, that familiar feeling of wanting and impatience emerged once again and I felt ashamed. 
I thought it was okay for me to stay single and alone but never lonely. I thought I was fine. I was joyful in the presence of God. I was rejoicing in good and bad times. 
Then he appeared and brought doubt and pain.
I should not blame him. It was not his fault entirely. We played games where there are winners and losers. 
The game was fun and all but losing was painful. 
There were nights that I cried while asking God why I was never pursued especially by the one I liked. It had always been a one-sided thing. I even questioned my worth and forgot my identity in Christ. I asked Him if He intended me to be alone and lonely all the days of my life here on earth. 
I doubted again and was guilty. This is not how I should be as a Christian. This is not me in Christ. 
One time I went to work with my swollen eyelids. A friend got curious and asked me the reason. When I opened to her, she remarked with a meaningful comment, "All feelings are valid." I felt validated and not alone. 
"Bruised but not broken," I remember my D-Group leader telling me this. This time maybe I am not broken, only bruised. All thanks to God's divine protection and preemptive action. I am saved always. 
Another friend of mine said once again a wonderful reminder, "Being Christians doesn't mean we are always happy, there will be times when we will be disappointed and defeated, but what's important is we never let go of God's faithfulness and promises." 
Life is tough and the life of a Christian is impossible. But God's grace is available to us through Jesus Christ and He will sustain us. It is not an easy road so don't ever let go of the eternal source of our strength and wisdom. Kapit lang kahit masheket friend, di rin Siya bibitaw, kaya connect agad kay God, always.  

Not So Out of Place in Calatagan, Batangas

Have you been so out of place to the point of not knowing where to put yourself in the puzzle? Like you are lost and don't know where to go or what to do. As if you are looking for something or someone you don't even know as if you are so out of place on your own. Like there is that missing piece and you keep searching for it, but until now you haven't found it. 
I have good news for you. You are exactly where you needed to be. 
Well, our trip to Calatagan, Batangas seemed to help me solve that same puzzling thought in my head. Though I consider myself now a Christian, there are moments when I just couldn't be spirit-filled as I wanted to be. I think, do, or say things that are not really glorifying and pleasing to the Lord. In short, I feel not good enough sometimes, and there is lacking. 

5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,2 Corinthians 3:5

The fellowship was a trip with the community of Singles in our church. At first, I was hesitant to join the group since the other ladies of the small group I belonged to were not able to participate due to a conflict of schedule. Anyway, I just did. I did join. hehe

It was a fun and spirit-filled experience. Though, I was not really familiar with most of the people who joined the fellowship. I took the opportunity to meet them, and I am glad I did. God showed me his amazing grace through little things during those two-day and 1-night fellowship trips.
There were moments in the whole fellowship experience that brought me to some realizations as reminders of what God has been showing me always. 
1. God is in control.
Do not worry, instead pray. Taal Volcano had its fit during our travel to Calatagan. The alert text from NDRMMC gave us a heads up of what’s happening to Taal. We were alarmed. But instead of worrying, I decided to pray. I was positive all chose to pray rather than worry. What’s more powerful than any natural phenomenon, it’s none other than prayer. 
Thank God, Taal Volcano calmed down and all was well. It is just a simple reminder that He is always in control, that if we surrender everything to Him, He knows exactly where and when it needed to be. He is, always and forever. 
2. Spirit-filled men are attractive. Periodt. 
No matter what the color, height, fashion sense, or career; pursuing Christ is the way to look attractive. I thought men who prioritize their relationship with God were less of a man than those who follow the worldly standards of being attractive. I had this notion that spiritually inclined men were less attractive than those men I could find on the internet, especially on the dating site or apps. I was proven wrong, my worldly thoughts of attractive men had always been wrong. There is humor in that realization and it is fulfilling. So whether your status is single or married, be attractive and there is only one way to do it, and you already know what I mean. *wink*

3. Washing the dishes is fun. 
This might sound shallow to some, but I never thought that a household chore could be that fun! Not until I enjoyed washing the dishes alone and with the others as well. To be honest, it was also an escape from the thought of being out of place in that fellowship. I mean at least I had a task to do, I was not useless. I imposed it upon myself. haha. Perhaps, God made me do it. I felt like a homemaker while washing the dishes. hehe. Oh my, oh my... I could see hope while washing the dishes and realizing, I could do it, I could be a homemaker. Chariz... Thy will be done, still...

We played a lot of games and they were all hilarious. I also learned how to play UNO cards which I thought was a difficult game to learn, and the best part was I got to play it with my fellow singles. Well,  I have to be honest again, this blog post is two months late but better late than never.

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.1 Thessalonians 5:11

Be Stunning Inside Out

 

You’re Beautiful But You Can Be Stunning Inside and Out by Malu Tiongson-Ortiz is the last book I read two months ago. I tried finishing other books, but I haven't even a single one from five of the books I started reading.
As the title of the book says, it is about beauty and not just the physical beauty it has accounts of the holistic approach when it comes to beauty, inside and out.
Some say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But what exactly does it mean? Some say it means that beauty depends on the eyes of the person who sees it. Does it really? 

Oxford Languages, an online dictionary, defines the famous proverb "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" as beauty that cannot be judged objectively, for what one person finds beautiful or admirable may not appeal to another.

Shamcey Supsup-Lee said beauty is not definite, we define it. She has a point, and what can we expect from a beauty queen like her. Ms. Supsup-Lee previously competed in Miss Universe 2011, finishing third runner-up. Sure, she knows. Yes, she knows. 
But the question is, does beauty equate to self-worth? Yes. No. And sometimes I don't even know. We are influenced by many factors and ideals in life that may affect how we view beauty and self-worth, and sometimes it can be a difficult task to even identify and express their true meaning.

Malu Tiongson-Ortiz mentioned in her book that self-worth is not based on looks which always becomes the basis of beauty, accomplishments, or possessions. Instead, self-worth is based on God’s love for us, according to God’s design and original plan for us. 

Having a relationship with God directs us to the right track and sight of how we view beauty and self-worth.  And as we grow more in Christ, our identity progressively leans and depends on what He did for us on the cross. He has paid the highest price, and that alone is the proof that we are worth more than any gold, wealth, or riches in this world. We live in a passing world where everything is fleeting and temporary. Our looks, accomplishments, and possessions are anything but passing. We are bound to lose all of the materials we thought of high importance in this lifetime.

Another question is, have you ever asked yourselves what makes us ugly or beautiful? The book You’re Beautiful But You Can Be Stunning Inside and Out gives us lists of what makes us ugly or beautiful, and you might wonder which list is longer. 
What makes us ugly?

29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.
Romans 1:29-31

The list is a bit long, so we have to be aware of them. We don't want a rotten core filled with wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity.
1. Envy, Jealousy
2. Self-centeredness
3. Malice
4. Gossip
5. Slander
6. Pride and Arrogance
7. Vanity
8. Materialism
9. Sharp Speech
10. Nagging
11. Judging
12. Bitterness, Unforgiveness
13. Quick to Anger
14. Neediness
15. Stinginess
16. Domineering, Control, Manipulation
17. Disrespect Towards One’s Husband
18. Bossiness
19. Egotism
20. Hypocrisy
What makes us beautiful?

3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.1 Peter 3:3-4

We only need the fruit of the Spirit to make us beautiful and stunning inside and out.
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness
6. Faithfulness
7. Sel-control

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Galatians 5:22-23

You are beautiful, girl, but you can be stunning inside and out!

How to be a Good Money Maker?

I once read in a literary piece, which I can't even remember the title or story, that money is the root of all evil and I used to agree and support this notion, that it was a fact. People fight because of money. A person gets killed because of money. There is hunger and poverty because of money. Etc. etc. etc. All these bad and sad things happen because of this thing or tool called MONEY. 
But now there is a shift in how I perceive money. Money is good. But it is love for money that tends to invite the evil and filth of the world into our lives. 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.Timothy 6:10

I read this little book written by Ed Lapiz entitled Keep Making Money. It gives Biblical advice and tips in the aspect of finance. It greatly affirms the goodness of money if earn and spend righteously as prescribed by the Scriptures, specifically from the book of Proverbs, chapter 31. 
The book contains two parts: The Profile of a Good Money Maker and The Lifestyle of a Good Money Maker. The author, Ed Lapiz, listed down the qualities of a good money maker in the book. 
Lapiz gives us 12 qualities that should be apparent and included in the Profile of a Good Money Maker, and they are enumerated as follow:
A good money maker works with her own hands.A good money maker produces what she needs. A good money maker produces surplus goods to sell.A good money maker knows what and when to buy.A good money maker trades.A good money maker works hard.A good money maker is positive.A good money maker speaks sensibly.A good money maker gives to people.A good money maker gives to and pays the deserving.A good money maker lets her workers rest. A good money maker gives to God.
These qualities struck me the most from this book. They are both practical and definitely spiritual. There is such thing as God's economy and it works very differently in the world's economy we are involuntarily or voluntarily has been living and immersing with since immemorial time. Never have I thought that earning and spending or giving and receiving money can be a spiritual endeavor of any human being, if not for God's provision of wisdom in my journey in this world. 

We must have the right perspective about money. Sometimes money isn't just cash or coins we all have in our pockets or wallets, it could be our talents, skills, or services we can offer. As Lapiz mentioned in the book "money" can be anything or currency you could give to people in exchange for what they give you or what they do for you.
Lapiz also commented on the lifestyle of a good money maker. It is a lifestyle having a house that will contain great treasure, may it be literally or figuratively, and a comfortable, secure and cheerful life. Indeed, making money has never been this good and spiritually satisfying. 
Furthermore, this book leads me to these questions: 
Am I a good money maker? Is it evident in my lifestyle? Do I possess the qualities in the profile of a good money maker?
Sometimes, if not always, we have to examine ourselves if we already succumb to our sinful love affair with money. We have to keep in heart, soul, and mind that love for money will keep us away from Him, and that is something we never ever want to happen.