Never compromise Truth for the sake of getting along with people who can only get along when you agree.

My understanding of the word LEADER esp when it comes to discipleship isn't about position. It's rather a verb. It's more of leading by example. You build relationship and you show them how things are done. In discipleship's case, it's how things are done based on Christ's example. 

Contemplating on the idea, I believe there's truth in it. You can't be all nice. There is a need to maintain authority. Else, people will just be their own captains. Jesus also showed authority among His friends (disciples). Those who didn't believe Him eventually left. Those who questioned His ways and teachings went away. Because His teachings were indeed hard; and, those who found His instructions difficult and unpopular, criticized Him.

A number of times, God reminded me this one thing:  

"Students are not better than their teacher. Servants are not better than their master.  Students should be happy to be treated the same as their teacher. And servants should be happy to be treated the same as their master. If those people call me ‘the ruler of demons,’ and I am the head of the family, then it is even more certain that they will insult you, the members of the family!"

Tis Jesus speaking in the passage found in the book of Matthew (vs 10:24 & 25).

True enough, there will be people who will question, chide, belittle... anyone who follows and teaches Jesus' ways and commands. At times, they'd get offended at what's said although it's all Biblical. It's tougher when they'd built mindsets and understanding of the Word that's totally their own. Esp when they've been holding on to those mindsets and understanding for all their life. The challenge comes when it's time for them to break it and you happen to be the one to do the breaking!

Happened to me not just a couple of times but countless times. Hesitation will always be there but this always comes to mind...

"...don’t worry about what to say or how you should say it. At that time you will be given the words to say. It will not really be you speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you.

...Everyone will hate you because you follow Me. But the one who remains faithful to the end will be saved." (10:19, 20, 22)

Repeatedly, I'd hear from Church pastors how many people leave the congregation after finding certain sermons objectionable. Naturally, the preaching will come out off-putting to them...because... 

God’s word is alive and working. It is sharper than the sharpest sword and cuts all the way into us. It cuts deep to the place where the soul and the spirit are joined. God’s word cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. It judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts.

Oftimes, people are oversensitive to corrections. They malign anything that points at their flaws. I am not exempt from this. At times, my heart bleeds hearing something that exposes my hidden evil thoughts, feelings or deeds. And, if I am to be real honest now...there really is an impulse to rise in arms whenever it feels like I'm being upbraided. My inside protests automatically...like a whim. Thank God for His grace I acknowledge it's PRIDE. So, when I don't understand something, when I don't see the wrong in me...I take the lesson with me, place it in my pocket for later use. I contemplate and assess things...I gauge myself. 

To lead people, one needs true grit. One must not have the need for approval. Otherwise, they'll crouch down in fear and choose to say what will be pleasing to the hearers, instead of what the hearers need to hear. Jesus showed His example ― He wasn't swayed by men. He paid no attention to who they were but continued teaching the way of God in accordance with the Truth [ref Mark 12:14].  After all, Christians are warned that ...

"everyone who wants to live showing true devotion to God in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."  ― 2 Timothy 3:12

Not everyone has an open mind, which is very necessary in order to grasp the Truth [example of the Bereans. Ref Acts 17:11] And, because of this, Jesus and the Apostles encourage all Christians and disciples to stand firm...be strong in the Lord and hold on to faith. Never be afraid of rejection... even reproach. Speak the Truth in love. But, be ready that not everyone can/will accept it for the Word says...

"The Father sent Me. No man can come to Me unless the Father gives him the desire to come to Me. Then I will raise him to life on the last day." ―John 6:44

Some hearts are too hardened to receive the Truth...they're blind and deaf...

‘They will look and look but never really see;
    they will listen and listen but never understand.
If they saw and understood,
    they might change and be forgiven.’ 

― Mark 4:12


...You will listen and you will hear,
    but you will not understand.
You will look and you will see,
    but you will not understand what you see.

―Acts 28:26

It will always be tough to lead. You need to guard your heart, your mind and your lips with all alertness, or you, too will fall into temptation. You might be swayed to take the easier way. To choose convenience. Several times God reminded me this...

 

"The person who is right with Me will live by trusting in Me. But I will not be pleased with the one who turns back in fear." ― Hebrews 10:38

There will always be situations where you will need to rebuke, to correct, to say things that may offend others.  Not because of foul words used or because of intention. But, by simply speaking the Truth which happens to point at an issue in a person's life. And you can't be resolving to being nice just to try to make the person comfortable or to keep the harmony. Just trust that if the person belongs to Christ, (s)he will recognize His voice through you. Maybe it'll not happen as smoothly as you expect, but in God's perfect time it will. ^_^ Jesus was not always nice with words. There were instances when He spoke harshly. Read Matthew 10:34-36 and tell me if it's not sarcastic. He also said this line to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” Sometimes, there's simply no other way to express what we need to say other than the way it will sound offensive to the receiver. 

Of course, this should be taken with caution or you might become too comfortable offending others. Being a leader doesn't give anyone the right to lord over another. And we have to be careful that what we're shoving down anyone's throat isn't just any rule we created based on how we understand the Word ―cherry-picking what we independently decided to be moral and disregarding which we disagree. We have to understand and use the Word in Its very context. It's safer rather to quote the Bible as it says in 2 Timothy 3:16...

"All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live."

 Leadership needs a lotta wisdom and grace from God. Therefore, leaders must devote themselves to prayer...being watchful... Pray without ceasing!

Pen down...closing my diary.

...Clock shows 4:14am and am wide awake. Music on. So many thoughts running in my head at the same time. Thought of typing them in OpenDiary. When was the last time I checked it?  Can't even remember.  Today, it's no more. *sad*  

Was about to log in ...only it wouldn't take me to the page. So, I made a track down of what could be going on. And, here's the sad news I found...

"Open Diary officially shutdown on 7th of February 2014 at 12:04 a.m. EST."

 Letting go can't be so hard to do but it's neither easy. Like am this kind of person who finds it hard to just give up on / let go of ANYTHING. Holding on is what am good at doing. If I have a huge storage I'd have a collection of assorted things. A serious case of hoarding!

Once it came into me a thought...it's easier to let go of something that died than something (or someone) that just left. My reason's when you know it's dead, it's gone forever...while when it just left, you know it just moved somewhere and knowing it still exists ignites something inside that push you to search for it. (Without certainty it wants you back.) Hope lingers that a time may still come that you'd bump into that some-thing/one again...desperately hoping you both feel the same excitement and happiness having found each other again. 

Going back to OD... it's truly GOODBYE. *sniffs* It buried with it my thoughts and emotions I may not anymore remember. Hope it's a good thing.

...and it closed some chapters of my life I rather should forget. Farewell, OpenDiary. Twas a good journey with you all those years. ^_^

'I release you. I evict you from my heart. Because if I don't do it now, I never will.'

 

The only thing we never get enough of is love. And sadly, the only thing we never give enough of is love.

I am no one special. I am just a single girl. ...But I have a secret. You can build walls all the way to the sky and I will find a way to fly above them. You can try to pin me down with a hundred thousand arms, but I will find a way to resist. And there are many of us out there, more than you think. People who refuse to stop believing. ...People who love in a world without walls, people who love into hate, into refusal, against hope, and without fear. I love... Remember. They cannot take it.

― Delirium

Am keeping my hopes up that even Valentine's Day is over, LOVE will persist in the hearts of everyone. That LOVE will be people's highest goal everyday. That the world will be filled with nothing but lovers ― no more haters ...only people who choose to LOVE. I desire to see everyone expressing LOVE even in the simplest ways as a practice all throughout the year. May LOVE be our way of life. Make it your lifestyle. ^_^

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  
―  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

We hate and we love for reasons that are known only to us.

Dear Self,   

You have been doubted, hated, talked about, made fun of, hurt, lied to, lied on, broken and at your wits end. With that being said, I commend you for the fact that you are still standing. Your courage speaks volumes! I know your struggle and the pain you’ve endured. You are more than a conqueror. I am proud to say that your heart belongs to me. Nothing can keep you down and no one can steal your joy. All of your storms have ended up blessing the sky with rainbows. Don’t give up, continue to stand tall and love yourself first. You are appreciated...  

~ Self

―  Words from a Wanderer  ―

Life is a privilege. Living is a choice. There are decisions that got to be made and however good your intentions may be, people will always see things the way they want. Hurting others isn't always a deliberate act. People will get hurt no matter how careful you try to be with their feelings. And it's not always anyone's fault. It's just their expectations aren't met. So, why bother too much? All that's there to do is live your life. Strive harder to be a good person and do not hurt anyone. If, still, someone gets hurt or offended ...mainly by being you, by your choices, by just being there... know that you can't please everyone. It's not always your fault. So, stop trying. Trying harder will only frustrate you. So, just do the best that you can and leave the rest to happen the way they should. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Live your life to the fullest. ^_^

 

  

Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who NEED it.

“Righteousness and generosity are inseparable. 

The person whose heart longs for God also longs to give to others.” 

― Dillon Burroughs

For the 2ndth time, I encountered the same modus operandi. I am sure many commuters have encountered the same and maybe more and different kinds. Am not a regular daily traveler. Thank God! But, I was given the chance to experience something, which I believe had to happen to broaden my understanding of God's heart.

It's been a debate in my head whether to extend alms to the beggars in the streets. I've, actually, resolved to not give cash; instead, I offer food. But, most of the time, however, I have none with me that I can offer. And my heart bleeds whenever I just walk away without giving anything, especially when the beggar's a senior citizen or a small child. There are times, I break my own rule. I still give some money. But, I'd say, it's with careful judgment. 

One early evening, about a couple of weeks ago, I was about to go home and just outside the building where I stay stood a young man. He was wearing a uniform and carrying a huge backpack. He's just a bit taller than me, slim. He looked haggard. Nonchalantly, he approached me as I walked toward his direction. At first, he was speaking so faintly. So, I had to ask him to repeat what he said. Then, he started telling me about his long day. 

His story was... well...he started by saying that he lost his wallet and nothing's left to him. He and his classmates had an interview at Medical Plaza. Said they were in the area since eleven that morning. Twas already past 8 when I bumped into him. He introduced himself as a nursing student and they're hoping for a slot in the clinic for OJT. He wasn't able to detail to me how he lost his wallet, though. And, I only figured it now. Boo! Anyway, he went on telling me that he's left by his classmates with nothing. I asked where's he's phone. He wasn't able to give a clear answer but he didn't say twas also stolen. I asked for his identification or whatever he can show me, but all he said was there's nothing left because his wallet was taken including all important stuff like credit and debit cards. Asked his name...I can't remember anymore. Besides, there's no point. He could be lying about it, anyway. But, it sounds like Xyrille and his last name was foreign. According to him, his father's half Japanese. Though, it didn't sound Japanese to me. 

After he shared his story, I asked him..."so, what do you need from me?" He, then asked if I can extend help by giving him any cash amount he can use for his fare home. I asked, where's home? His answer was Bulacan. I had no idea how much is the fare to that place so I asked him how much he needed. Found it unbelievable when he said he needed 300 Pesos! That's an obvious hint he was duping me. Well, while I was interrogating him, I knew he was trying to trick me. It's not that I was playing along or something but days before this happened, I was enlightened by God's Word, so... (I'll talk about it later.)  He had to explain why 300 Pesos. I had to cut him and told him I can only give him a hundred and asked him "will this do?" I remember him saying, "it's ok. I'll just ask from other passers by." Before I left I told him, "God bless you" and tapped his shoulder. His last words were, "thank you."

When I reached the lobby, I phoned a friend who stays in Bulacan. Asked him how much is the fare from where I am to Bulacan. I wasn't really surprised when he said, the most is 60 Pesos. Then, I shared what happened.

It broke my heart. What's playing in my mind that time was "some people abuse kindness, which causes good people to be cynical." I can't really blame how most of the people I know are refusing to give alms and say they're (the beggars) just members of syndicates. But, I had to guard my heart not to shrug off the idea of giving. If there's any mistake I'd done that time, it's I didn't take the chance to be bold enough to speak the Truth to that boy. Could've changed his heart completely. Yet, I don't wanna be hard on myself. Twas something new to me. I only need to learn from it.

My reason for not turning my back on that boy is what I understood from the Bible...found in the book of John chapter 6 verses 25-35.  In verse 26, Jesus revealed to the people the motivation of their hearts. He exposed to them that they're not after His miracle but they want to have their fill (for their stomachs) and they knew that Jesus and His disciples will provide food. What fascinated me was the fact that Jesus knew their intentions. But, He was not bothered by that. He did what He had to do ― to be generous regardless of what their reason was for being there. If Jesus, Himself, made a decision to still be generous in spite their wrong intention, what right do I have to withhold from anyone God's generosity to them? I am only a steward of His blessings. And I am here on Earth to be a blessing. So, I have no right to hold back benevolence.

This is not to say that Christians must do things blindly. Of course, there's a call for wisdom in different situations. And it should always be with the leading of God's voice when it comes to giving away God's blessings. Again, we are only His stewards and we must be very careful how we handle His resources. But, that particular situation, I believe, God allowed to happen to give me a first-hand experience of what the passage I mentioned earlier means. Like the Word teaches us, "faith without action is dead" ...whatever God teaches us through the Word and Jesus' example, we should be able to put to practice according to His purpose and guidance. 

So, the next time it happened to me, which was just a few days ago, I already knew how to handle it. I looked the person in the eye and said, "am sorry but I encountered this same thing just a week ago so I can't help you." Then, I gave him a sincere smile. Wish I had the boldness to share the Word, but well...God's grace will always be sufficient for me. In my next adventures I am more equipped!  ^_^

Gratitude paints little smiley faces on everything it touches.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” ― Hebrews 13:2

There are times it gets to be tiring to do good. To continue doing good. Guess it's but natural to feel the need for appreciation once in a while. Why, it's never easy to choose to be kind all the time, y'know! Especially, it's not as easy to risk offering a helping hand to people who have the biggest possibility to simply abuse help. In this world, almost everyone's after their own. Many are too busy to stop a while and attend to the needs of others. When you observe them and what they value, you're sure to start wanting to just look after yourself, as well. It's tempting to just shrug off the idea of giving a helping hand when you realize how very few people are willing express gratitude.

I always remind myself to not bother whether others are doing their Christian duty or not. It's not my problem if they choose not to. And I shouldn't also concern myself too much if people choose not to remember what good was done to them. It's their life. Besides, in the book of Luke chapter 17, Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned to thank Him. So, whatever! But, I guess what am trying to put across is, although it shouldn't be one's aim to try and earn the favor, recognition, appreciation, acknowledgement... etc. of people, deep down they're like a cold beverage that quenches thirst after a hard day's work. It's a big encouragement!

...and I am encouraged! I thank everyone who takes time to show appreciation for the good I've done and the impact I made in their lives. Just when I thought no one notices or acknowledges, God makes a way to assure me that my good works don't go unnoticed. They're all acknowledged and appreciated.

It's not really a rare occurrence that I receive "thank you" and commendation messages, actually. But, what makes this one special is, it came at a time when I started feeling discouraged because it seems that none of what I do is appreciated, anyway. And many would even give me a cold shoulder after or would behave ungrateful. I've reached another point when I simply just wanna take an indefinite break from doing good to others. Just God won't allow me to take a leave, though. Rather, He refuels me with encouragement through sincere people who express their thankfulness for what little or big I'd done. Even things I do not do out of the ordinary but have impact in their lives.

    

I divorced social networking sites for the second time for almost a week last week. Today, I reopened my Facebook page and I received a message from a cyber acquaintance. Gives me motivation to not stop doing what I started doing whether or not it's acknowledged because I'll really never know who needs help the most. I have no idea how many lives are being saved by doing just one random act of kindness everyday. ^_^ 

Well, what a wonderful way to start the day!

Cheerio, peeps! Smile and always be kind. 

That's what life is ― adjustment.

“Life is similar to a bus ride. The journey begins when we board the bus. We meet people along our way of which some are strangers, some friends and some strangers yet to be friends. There are stops at intervals and people board in. At times some of these people make their presence felt, leave an impact through their grace and beauty on us fellow passengers while on other occasions they remain indifferent. But then it is important for some people to make an exit, to get down and walk the paths they were destined to because if people always made an entrance and never left either for the better or worse, then we would feel suffocated and confused like those people in the bus, the purpose of the journey would lose its essence and the journey altogether would neither be worthwhile nor smooth.”  ― Chirag Tulsiani

True. Life is a lot like a bus ride. Am not a frequent bus rider and I get to be really impatient inside a bus. But, I think I've learned some worthwhile lessons in the every ride I make. 

As in a bus ride, in life, we meet various kinds of personalities. Some we easily get along with. Some don't find us appealing ...and no matter how we try and be friendly to them, all they're after's to reach their destination. Some will start small talks and then out of nowhere stop talking. And these are just but to name a few scenarios, which are undeniably true in life. 

We should realize that it's not life that is difficult. It's relationship. Life is pretty simple, in fact. It's like riding a bus ― getting along with other bus riders and relating to them as they are WITHOUT imposing our own agenda. Just, it's not how we do things, though. We try so hard to shove ourselves down people's throat only because they're in our path. At times we want to stop them from leaving because we've already started feeling comfortable around them. We resent whenever they snooze along the trip leaving us without a companion. What we must realize is, many people simply just want to ride a bus ―  to live (and to be given the right and freedom to do as they wish) and reach their destination. Most of the time, it's not about us. It's not about them finding us uninteresting or what. People have their own personal issues and concerns just as we do have our countless issues and concerns. And, we just gotta let them be. 

Let's not be surprised if some people leave by choice or by fate. We own NOTHING. The sooner we realize and accept this, the more we're saved from unnecessary disappointment, anger and pain. God gave all us free will. If He does not get in the way for us to practice our freedom, then let's not get in the way for others to live the way they want. We can't expect people to live the way we see best for them and enforce it on them. Life is in itself a teacher. The best lessons are better experienced. And we must be selfless enough to allow people live freely without emotionally manipulating them just to get what we want. If they wake up one day feeling like escaping from the world, then let us not feel so badly that we address through a gesture how we didn't like their present decision. It's their life. Live yours. Don't make them walk on eggs.  

...and there are people who really make our ride uncomfortable and this is inevitable. Sometimes, we also play this role. For some reasons, there are people who find satisfaction in inflicting pain to others. But we are without options. Our stopovers, like school and Church, equip us to have the right attitude. We can simply ignore them and choose what battles to face ― remain composed and not be affected by their behavior; we can move to another seat; or we can drop off the nearest station and take another bus. Maybe there are more options, in fact. Just the thing is, we need to help ourselves enjoy the ride. ^_^

So, let us simply enjoy life. Live independently with others. It is a choice. It's our privilege!