When God's will is taken seriously
nets are broken.
Father Daughter Dance
Today I get front seat at my eldest daughter's wedding.
I walk her down the aisle.
I officiate the rites.
I entrust Nika to the bridegroom.
Sometime soon I get another front spectacle seat.
I get to walk down another aisle.
I perform the rites.
I will entrust Bianca to God's choice man.
And the dance continues ...
Nika, my eldest. Bianca, my youngest. Both the Lord's precious gems.
Hand Held
It is either you live life alone in your steps
or
you are held by the ONE who determined your shoe-size even before your birth.
Son's Shield
Robert is a strong powerpoint.
His passion and zestful affection towards his son illustrates the joy of my Heavenly Father's regard for me.
Like Josh, I am shielded forever.
photography: Paolo Esquivel
Fly
What's behind a name?
Who gave the designated identity?
Authority resides only in the Creator.
He determines the flight of all.
photography: Renchi Arce
Chasing Theology
The study of God is rather problematic.
How can a mind flogged by spiritual amnesia process divine identity?
And so, we chase counterfeit gods forged in yellow.
Firstborn
What does it mean to be a child of God?
It's defining moment is when one gets treated like His firstborn.
A smile is not even accurate to beam its joy.
Nika: my first born by bloodline and God's firstborn by the blood of the Lamb
H2O
I pant for water.
Only Christ satisfies.
He waters my life.
photography: Yen Baet / Kasuga Taisha: Nara, Japan
The Promise
The staggering reality of Christ's promise of guaranteeing God's abiding presence began on Pentecost.
The engagement ring was worn by those who by grace and mercy received His gift.
The Holy Spirit fills all vacuum.
I can only imagine the bliss of the grand wedding eternal day.
Ringless
Imagine shooting hoops without a goal.
Imagine living daily expending your energy towards nothing but board.
I have a goal-keeper.
I never miss a shot.
He turns all my attempts into scores.
His Righteousness wins.
Nose Bleed
My wife and I almost perished yesterday.
This could have been the breaking news:
A horrific accident took place yesterday at the frontage road of Plano Parkway and Highway 75. A speeding Cadillac SUV tried to beat a left-only lane t-boning a Mercedes Benz 430 ML dragging it headlong towards the railing of the bridge. The solid impact sent the MB SUV plummet down the busy Highway 75 hitting three vehicles before it burst into flames. The driver and his wife died instantly from the reckless incident.
This did not happen.
Early that morning, my daughter Nika from Manhattan read from Scriptures: "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him (Psalm 34:7).
At around 3:00 pm yesterday, the application was made in Plano, Texas.
By a most unusual maneuver, I was granted quick intuitive alertness to swerve. The wild driver still clipped my fenders and bumpers. His bumper parts and molding flung in the air, but his resolve not to stop only reinforced his dangerous existence on any road.
I was once told about the grit of the ML 430's 4,552-pound hunk of steel on its rigid frame.
I praise God for it did keep me still.
It only had some nose-bleed.
Theology of Dress
The first attempt was sewed hastily from fig leaves.
It was obviously a makeshift cover-up.
The redemptive alteration was hand-crafted with leather.
God labored to produce the sacrificial bestowal.
As they dress, I remind my daughters to remember Genesis 3.
Original Haute Couture.
Not merely to cover, but to demonstrate the Hesed (Loyal Love) of our Creator.
Bianca Diwa / Mercedes Benz Fashion Week / photography: @stephenesherman
Ali
The name conjures bragging rights to greatness.
Muhammad Ali was not only a boxer to me. I had his face posted on my bedroom like a fixed mantra.
When father brought home my first Everlast boxing gloves, i just had to strut like a butterfly and sting like a bee.
I somehow think that his lip-swag served as therapy for my shyness into adolescent braggadocio.
My favorite moment was the genius of the Zaire fight with George Foreman. It was mind over brawn. Rope-a-dope.
The news of his death yesterday pinched hard.
I really hope to see him someday.
I guess, that is not my call.
I don't even have a clue where his ropes leaned on the last few seconds of his final round.
GettyImages©
Known
The pinnacle of human despondency stems from being unknown.
Living through life without significance is walking dead. What exacerbates this dilemma is when we discover the vacuum we truly are in other's lives.
We are good pretenders. We label people in our neat boxes.
We think we know who they are.
Only one, truly knows. He is the one who speaks about plans He has for us.
His voice is still and quiet.
You have to know Him to hear Him.
photography: Paul Lim Supelana
Fanatic
I am a fan of Bruce Lee.
I am a fan of Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr.
I am a fan of Kobe Bryant.
I am a fan of Madeleine Peyroux.
I am a fan of Fyodor Dostoevsky.
... et cetera.
These wonderful people have dented my orientation in more ways than one.
I am not a fan of Jesus Christ.
He knows my name. He calls me His beloved friend.
I am his redeemed.
I cannot be a mere fan of the Son of God.
I trust Him with all of life.
Organic
The lumens of life in Christ is bolstered by the source of its confidence.
Liza Louw heralds this unique finesse:
If you don't know God's love and power, you will work to earn it.
If you know God's love and power, you will live to display it.
The singular merit of the believer lies in the poured-out largesse of the Father's love, switched on by His Son's death and resurrection, and streamed live by the Holy Spirit's electric influence.
photography: Yen Baet
Mirror
Marriage is copyrighted by God.©
It has a revealed mystery: it is designed to mirror the Face of God.
When we take seriously the reception of grace in our one-flesh union, the beam of Imago Dei creates a lasting impression of redemption.
During the challenging years of adolescent turmoil, my daughters reference the picture of Christ's love for the church, reflected in my marriage that has kept them anchored.
The amazing thing is that I didn't have to work for any of its pose.
I merely receive the imputation of His grace each passing day.
Amazing grant, it is, indeed!
You First
In a world chanting
Me, first!
You have taught me the staggering praxis of
You, first!
Today, I am deeply honored to renew my heart's cry:
Happy Birthday, my Bride!
You, first ... You, first ... You, first.
All in the context of Christ's eternal gravitas, First.
World Watch
The world is watching.
In a recent survey, 5 million people migrate to global cities monthly.
More than 50% of human population are citified.
The question arises: what causes the movement?
And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God ... (Acts 17:26ff ESV)
It is the Sovereign Hand at work: the world is moving towards our cities.
The witness shines bright in these final hours.
The world is watching.
Film Shoot / Diwa Dollhouse
Momentum
The strongest range of motion originates from momentum.
Nothing comes close to the push of a Spirit-led trek.
The inverse is a Spirit-less rover.
