live.

your aunt's blog

[adnelev]

A quick escape from sudden discouragement.

Even if they make things hard for me, I will still thank you.

I will remain, not for them, only for You.

[adnelev]

The war in your mind, the failed plans, the unattainable dreams, you lost many things you haven't earned yet.

Have you realized how hard it is for them to accept of becoming a part of the collateral damage? Their greatest asset became a burden, a liability hurting them because of choices and mistakes he's not owning.

Do you think you can do it on your own?

How long will you lie to yourself? Surrender.

[adnelev]

"You see," he explained, "I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things, so that he has difficulty laying his hands upon it. Now the skillful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones."

"But the Solar System!" I protested.

"What of the deuce is it to me?" he interrupted impatiently: "you say that we go round the sun. If we went round the moon it would not make a pennyworth of difference to me or to my work."

-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (A Study in Scarlet)

[adnelev]

The Paradox of our Time

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life; we’ve added years to life, not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things. We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete. Indeed, these are the times!

by Bob Moorehead

[adnelev]

Stop anticipation from feeding your thoughts with unpleasant emotion and unwarranted reciprocation.

Even if you think you need a high level of concern from people who mean a lot to you, open your eyes, their actions speak painfully louder than what you believe they feel for you.

It is lonely, but it won’t last. The emptiness that is drowning you now and drastically changing the dreams you wanted for yourself will be a matter of choice. From pushing yourself to people you badly wanted to be with, to selecting circles you should be within, it is bearable, and it will be rewarding.

It’s okay to focus your time on the things that help you grow, on staying with the people who correct you and want to see you learn even if you don’t recognize them, and on making yourself valuable.

So change your approach now. Love freely, and give no reservation for expectations, because things that are freely given pays freedom in return.

[adnelev]

I first heard Audrey when I was transferring tracks from my church mate's flash-drive. I was just curious back then. Hymnal songs were not my type (metalhead here). But when I heard New In the Morning, every line pierced my heart. 

And now, I Shall Not Want, a song that reminds me to find my contentment from the Lord. To find my peace from His words and promises. In the world of discontentment and self-love, I shall not want.

From the love of my own comfort From the fear of having nothing From a life of worldly passions Deliver me O God

From the need to be understood From the need to be accepted From the fear of being lonely Deliver me O God Deliver me O God

And I shall not want, I shall not want when I taste Your goodness I shall not want when I taste Your goodness I shall not want

From the fear of serving others From the fear of death or trial From the fear of humility Deliver me O God Deliver me O God

[adnelev]

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word and called it pluralism. We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.  I ask it in the name of your Son, the Living Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

[adnelev]

Have you ever heard of Gossip Town?    On the shores of Falsehood Bay, Where old Dame Rumor, with rustling gown,    Is going the livelong day? It isn't far to Gossip Town    For people who want to go; The idleness train will take you down    In just an hour or so.

The "Thoughtless Road" is the popular route,    And most people go that way; But it's steep down-grade; if you don't lookout    You will land in Falsehood Bay. You glide through the valley of Vicious Talk,    And into the "Tunnel of Hate;" Then, crossing the "Add-To-Bridge," you walk    Right into the City Gate.

The principal street is called "They Say,"    And "I've Heard" is the public well, And the breezes that blow from Falsehood Bay    Are laden with "don't you tell." In the midst of the town is "Tell Tale Park"    You are never quite safe while there, For its owner is Madam Suspicious Remark

Just back of the park is "Slanderer's Row;"    Twas there that Good Name died, Pierced by a shaft from Jealousy's how,    In the hands of Envious Pride. From Gossip Town, Peace long since fled,    But Trouble and Grief and Woe And Sorrow and Care you'll meet instead,    If you ever chance to go.

                    —Harvey M. Barr                       

[adnelev]

Rush

When you’re just there to update some legal cases, and asked to go on an island trip (of-course because of your ~*kennectionzs*~) a day after the wedding of your friend’s nephew...

Enjoying clear view of life under

Full Moon + White Sand + Musically Inclined Friends + Tent 

(Caught, killed and prepared chicken Adobo for everyone~)

Drinking real nature’s spring while they were nervous and alarmed with our rapist-looking neighbor. Little did they know that the guy they are afraid of is harmless, and the real creep is the second guy they thought is normal, though both of them were flipped. I’m a terrible friend~

[adnelev]

Everyone says love hurts, but that is not true. Loneliness hurts. Rejection hurts. Losing someone hurts. Envy hurts. Everyone gets these things confused with love, but in reality love is the only thing in this world that covers up all pain and makes someone feel wonderful again. Love is the only thing in this world that does not hurt.

Meša Selimović

[adnelev]

In the Image of You

Christian Training Camp 2018, Mabolo, Malolos, Bulacan

50th Anniversary of Christian Training Camp (formerly known as Teacher’s Training Camp)

Term: 3rd Team: Peter Cabin: 8

Subject: Cults, Church, Mission, Decision Making & Prophets

This 2-week everyday quiz, readings, every day report and constant source of philia is a wonderful experience that I would cherish forever. Though I had encountered attacks and health problems, God’s way of training me and correcting me through His Word is truly beautiful. Everything is beautiful! 

(team song composition, game time~)

Selfies!! (My cabin mates, teammates, Kuya Dave and Ate Ann, Team Peter!~)

I was grateful to have the jolliest team, the Petersons (my source of joy, quirkiness and peace even we haven’t got any award I feel blessed and thankful to have them).

(Third Term’ers and Kuya Jun, our Cults and Decision Making teacher. I’m not sure what I was doing here, maybe I was containing my laughter~. Hahahaha : This term has been funny, serious, sad, promising, amused, loved, witty and everything in between I’d hope for a batch. Creaaaation!! Thank you for the effort, perseverance and happiness! Thank you guys!~)

(Kuya Dave & Ate Ruth Harvey)

It was also a privilege to have our volunteer teachers and staff reflecting God’s attribute through their lives. Though some were gentle and some were tough, it was a great mix of awesome senseis!

All these things to honor You, to know You more, to understand Your heart and to imitate You! We love You Lord! 

See you on the field brethren! 

[adnelev]

Circumstances will tear us apart, break our hearts, ruin our trust. Let’s build-up our family and not let kids grow up in pain and questions. Whether you’ve been hurt, betrayed or trying to figure how you can run from your mistakes, separation is not a solution. Relationship is hard work and people are lazy. Please stay and work it out. 

[adnelev]

Lonesome

I can satisfy myself without searching for belongingness. I’m not a keeper suited to contain all memories. I can remember without fondness, stay without apathy. Feelings will change and affection will fade, I will give a shrug but not a hug.

I can be a stranger in familiar places. In the fairness of love and war, I'll be the cold survivor.

In a corrupted generation, I'll be the selfish ignorant. What's the sense of the march, the movements that never move, if justice is sleeping in the bed of the kings? I'll better be laughing at useless activism. 

I find no glory with chances. Let people be hurt for what they give and suffer for what they want. If someone wants to leave, let them go. What's the prize holding back anyway?

[adnelev]

Shared books.

[adnelev]

It was like the wind was too quick to follow. Too fast and anonymous. Oh how shallow our efforts are for our own acceptance. If only there was some secret doorway hidden among all the valleys. A door for all of us to enter. If only the closing curtain wasn't so painful to accept and witness. If only it welcomed us outside the doorway to gently fall into its calming simplicity.

aicMadSeason

[adnelev]

Worthless

Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. 

So I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and madness. I thought, “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness. For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark.” Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate. Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!” For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten.

So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

— Book of Ecclesiastes

[saykodelikdesik-blog]

“Before They Pass Away”

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWq7ToR2U8Q

[adnelev]

Photographs by Jimmy Nelson