pagpasiplat

It's a rare find to meet someone and have him there for a lifetime. Most people in our lives simply pass through and we no longer have a second chance to meet them again. There are those who stay with us for a while and share special memories that may last a lifetime. And there are those whose lives have touched ours so profoundly, that even their influence leaves a mark in our humanity.

The fragility of life is tested when a special person is suddenly lost. At times the pain is so unbearable that to function normally will be an ordeal. To have lost a dear person in our lives by death or separation because of work, school or other circumstances can be a long process of overcoming and forgiving.

What is more painful is to lose someone dear because of greed, ill intent or sheer callousness. At times we are unaware that the things we say or do actually leave a definitive scar in the lives of people close to us.

Betrayal is painful because it is not a stranger or an acquaintance who can cause such a pain. Betrayal is a bitter pill caused by a friend, close enough to cause you death of the soul. It really doesn't matter what most people say to you, but when a dear friend actually says something ill about you, then it becomes something too difficult to bear.

The beauty about life is having second chances. No matter how many times we fail, God's grace allows us to rise again, receive His forgiveness and start over. It is no use trying to live up to people's standards. We are prone to make mistakes and we are prone to keep falling short of people's expectations. I have stopped pleasing people. It is an endless struggle for attention and it really takes the joy out of living.

I have made a lot of mistakes along the way. I have done a lot of harm to myself and to others. I am way beneath people's standards of what a good Christian should be. It is only by God's grace that I am alive and I even breathe today. I have no excuse for my bad behavior.

One thing I know for sure is that my Lord, my Savior and my King loves you and me. He died on the cross of Calvary to redeem us from the law of sin and death. He is my reason for living, my hope for a better and brighter tomorrow and my very life depends on obeying Him fully.

It is sad that not everyone come to know the Lord Jesus. It is still ultimately man's choice - to serve God or not. If I have lived to make one life easier, then my life has not been in vain. That is all that really matters.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

I just experienced a major blow in my career. Most things no longer affect me as much, but this time, when others are also hurt because of certain people's inability to give justice to the work done, I take action.

Forgiveness may mean that you have released the people who have hurt you and no longer wish ill of them, but it still takes time to heal and even consider trusting these people again. Its a bitter pill to swallow when you are made to do something difficult and the ones asking you to do it do not even have a vague idea how it is done in the first place.

Music has been a great solace for me in times of grief, sorrow or longing. I take comfort in the knowledge that the Lord is close and He is always with me; that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I love being able to share God's love to others, seeing how it can make people soar and aim higher than they could ever imagine.

Love can do that to people. It can transform and change people and circumstances. The impossible becomes possible and the difficult is made easier with a loving touch that heals and restores. It gives you that extra strength to move on and creates an undivided heart that enables dreams to become a reality.

I dreamed dreams with someone very special a long time ago. He gave me the courage to trust again and believe that we can give birth to these dreams. I can say that in a way, we have been able to achieve our fervent dreams - a chance to travel and make a difference in this world.

It takes a great man to accept that he is wrong. It takes a greater man to take the blame for something he did not do wrong. It takes God to bear the sin of all to free us and make us whole.

I have loved and lost. Through storms and many testings in life I have emerged victorious in Christ. I sing through tears and continue to trust and believe in people no matter how many times I fall. I soar on wings like eagle, above and beyond the impossible, dreaming on when most dreams have faded.

"Fear not for I am with you. Do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."