Perhaps today, more than any another day, is the perfect day for reflection and reconciliation. A time to be still, to heal, to feel and to think about things of this earth and blessings from above. In the beggining, God created life, a free gift to all. Every man who recieves this gift is called to be part of one nation as brothers and sisters in Christ. And from that moment on its was clear that no one has the right to take life away but God and God alone. But now, in this century, such crucial turn of events is putting moral values to the test. And its just hard not to be angry when retaliation seems to be the only way of recieving justice. But at what price? Can a life recieve retribution with another life being taken away? Can justice truly be served without a counter reaction and without the need of rage and vengence that comes with it. Such unexpected complexity along with anger sparks grief, sorrow and mourning for the loss. And what`s worse is that the media is not making it any better implying a course of action is the vague solution of stiking back. Where does the line between justice and madness cross the line? At one moment in all my life, I have never seen such great tragedy, that a great nation would fall on its knees and tremble in fear. Fear of what could not be understood. But through all this, I see a future of great, long enduring revival where every man would start living one day at a time and learn to appreciate what it truly means to be given the freedom to live a life.
Seeing that the target area was the "World Trade Towers" with individuals of multi-ethnicity and diverse background we see that we are not dealing with a specific people but an organization with destructive purpose in mind. I can only pray that we as a nation would humble ourselves and pray. Pray for answers with open hearts and an open mind that in time God will give us the peace of mind that only He could give... How I wish to say that the worse is over, but I can`t see through the future. In all things life will go on, but stained blood and scared memories left behind by this massacre will always be remembered as part of history. Let us not be harsh in our own actions being careful not to become that which we despise so much. May God bless the people of the world. ~ Karlo ~
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that
not of yourself; it is the gift of God." - Ephesians 2:8 -
Its a little bit funny how things seem to change, how i change, how people change as seasons come and go. There are days when it just seem like people are just never there for you, though not all the time. I just didn`t know why nor understood back then. But these days, I`m the one who`s ussually unavailable, unreachable, untouched. Always preoccupied with reccuring loops of day to day living and i can`t seem to escape... a slight reverse in perspective that certainly reaches a part of me to question and comprehend... but to keep it clear its not that i`m feeling sad or anything... maybe somewhat just tired and worn down... I tend to be quiet these days, out into myself and just enjoy time on my own. To much going on around the world and the need to slow down is no longer an option but a necessary accomody. Deep within, I`m a bit disturbed by a lot of issues and the things that make me, me. I just get confused sometimes lose myself in the process as shadows pass me by... perhaps i just need sometime to find myself again :)...
Quotes of the Moment:"The most important thing is living your life for something more important
than your life." -= Robert H. Schuller =-
"In life, there will always be battles to be fought." -= Karlo V. Miranda =-
"Out of clutter, find Simplicity. From discord, find Harmony.
In the middle of difficulty lies Opportunity." -= Albert Einstein =-
Song of the Day : "Once in a blue moon" by Sydney Forest
Prelude:
"Just a couple of days ago, I surprisingly stumbled upon a televised biography profile of the fallen angel, Lucifer, now known to be Satan or the Enemy. And for a moment it just caught my attention until they mentioned God's duel with the Enemy by a man named Job. The story is told in the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. In the beggining of the story, Job is known as a man of great faith in God. But then Satan said, 'ofcourse he's being faithful, You've given him so much blessings' then continued mockingly, 'how about i take pieces of things he values in life that means so much to him'. One by one, Satan began to tempt Job into losing his faith to a point where his possesions and his family was swept away from him and plague consumed what's left of him.' Satan's temptation became so immeasurable painful that Job at one time almost questioned God's unrellenting love for him. In the end, Job still retained his faith, thus having been blessed with long life and Satan's temptations was defeated."
Devotion:
For days when life and living holds different moral value and meaning, i question and test myself of my faithfulness. A world crumbles around me as the walls of unceratinty fall on me. And so, here i am, once again, questioning myself 'How strong is your faith, karlo?'. For the man named Job, who lived centuries long ago, i deeply give my deepest respect. For enduling life long sufferings, where most people would have lost hope, lose their sanity and given up their faith for a better tommorow.
In this present time, I find myself in a predicament, where the future just seems too big to hit but also too big to miss. In my hand, I find the illusion of dreams within my reach. And i just simply can't resist but dream of dreams, of love waiting for me, of life lived happily, of success in fields of goals and the possibility of family i long and hoped for someday. But behind every blessing and dreams come true, surrounds the spirit of temptations, vanity and pride. As paper castles, carefully stacked and planned for, all can be blown away by the wind, and the question will be 'what will remain of me? How strong is my faith, when all is lost? God will provide, but will i still be the same... all this in my heart i pray.
With thanksgiving just around the corner, i make my list in my heart, of little gifts from God, where by grace I've trully been blessed. I say goodbye to old dreams that may be and welcome new doors and follow the winding road to where God will eventually lead me.
"Quotes from the short story 'The Perfect Heart':
Man : "What makes your heart Beautiful when mine is so fresh and new?" Old Man: "Yes, yours is perfect looking but I would never trade mine with yours. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared. Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges -- giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?"
To thy Heavenly Father and Divine Son watching over me, I pray tonight in the silence of the night that I may start the year fresh and new. In my heart, I simply ask that I, Karlo V. Miranda, would learn to rely on Your everlasting grace and that I may learn to be wise, not in my own eyes, but thru Yours. To simply run the race you set before me and finish what I begin. To find favor in You, my Lord, is perhaps the greatest treasure one can ever concieve in one`s lifetime and here after.
Through life`s many toils and turns, I give my all to You, to mold as you please, an open vessel to control and move in superficial ways. In my life Lord, please open my eyes that I may see your beauty, open my ears that I may hear Your voice speaking in my heart.
In all my years, I understand that life is hard but You, Oh God, has been so good to me. With You in my life, I can`t ask for nothing more. With the words I write tonight, barely scratching the surface of Your awesomeness, please accept my sincerity to give something in return. As time slips by and winding ink called life turns bleak and dry, answer my call and let me know, by soul by faith by heart, that You are near and always true to me. In closing, I merely ask, like a little child humble and pure, "where do I go from here?" ~ With Love Karlo ~
Like a lifeless tree waiting for spring time rain to cast away the pain, time moves me in slow motion. But along its narrow thread way, the chance to see events of serenity bring me back my sanity. And for quite sometime I actually enjoy the feel of being myself (whatever that may be). Catching the moments as they occur no and longer a prisoner but free to linger and explore this wall of insecurity that once bethrown me.
Slow pace and carefree, I take things easy for a while. Letting people wait for my time to open that binding connection again. Asking simply to just wait with me. No longer concered with finishing last nor being the hero i thought was expected of me, i take my walk and rather feel more confident these days. In everything, my life is in good hands through faith of which i`ve been saved. And so i say "whatever happen happens... :P" ~Karlo~