From Darkness To Light

[fromdarknesstolayto]

What a waste

Such a shame that I didn't get to learn how to sing

I don't even have the talent to compose or produce songs

Would've been fun to sing if I was only able to

I would've liked to express my all my feelings through a song but I don't think I'll be able to do that

Love

Thanksgiving

Joy

I feel I have lots of song and voice in my heart

I just don't know how to release them out

What a waste

[fromdarknesstolayto]

L-I-F-E

Is it the chirping of the birds that you hear when you're lost deep in the lushness of the green forest?

Is it the sound of the blue ocean with its waves crashing against the rocks on the shore?

Is it the sound of money being produced by the ATM machine when you're withdrawing your hard-earned cash from your 9-to-5-job?

Maybe it's the love in display when a son takes care of his mother who nursed him to sleep when he was young.

Maybe it's the view that you see when you're driving around with a friend with no destination in mind.

Maybe it's the sound that's coming from the person you love the most when she's sleeping next to you.

Many are the questions surrounding this tiny word.

What is life? What is my purpose in life? How do I enjoy life? Where does life come from? Who authored life? Do we get to choose in this life? What do I do in this life? How do I get to be happy in this life?

Maybe life means slowing down our pace, cancelling meetings that aren't necessary, learning to appreciate what we hear, see, smell, taste, touch, and feel.

I don't think anyone has a direct answer to these questions. We all have our worldviews and own opinions in life and this makes the topic complicated and relative for each person.

Me? All I know right now is it's worth living and experiencing with you.

Sunsets Travels Snows Music Theaters Shopping Photography Food Movies & Series Games Drives Dates Hugs Kisses Intimacies

I want to live life with you. 🥰

[fromdarknesstolayto]

Sydney Opera House (at Sydney Opera House) https://www.instagram.com/p/B90xuYqH10C/?igshid=2qiqcycy4zy

[fromdarknesstolayto]

Sydney Tower Eye (at Sydney Tower Eye) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9y4EE-H5cF/?igshid=25ttam0pv3nd

[fromdarknesstolayto]

Mt. Binacayan | 20111118

It has been 5 years since I last climbed a mountain and Mt. Binacayan was my second.

A brief background to this story: Baron, Faye, and I were planning an out-of-town escapade and one of us suggested we hike Mt. Binacayan and try to experience its sea of clouds which led to the other two agreeing. We opened the invite to our Functional Teammates and even to their friends that they want to bring along.

We decided to rent a van that would fetch us in Boni going to Montalban, Rizal. We were also able to form a party of 9 (I think?).

During the week of the climb, I retracted from the party due to some reasons but on the day before of the actual climb, I finally decided to join and I don’t regret that decision because everything was all worth it.

As planned, we met at Boni and soon went on to Montalban. We arrived at around 4:15am at the foot of the mountain where we will need to register and pay for the registration fee (P50/head).

We ate breakfast at a karenderia nearby to give us an energy boost for the climb.

Silog for our breakfast.

After eating, our guides briefed us in the parking lot while I pray silently for a successful and enjoyable climb.

They also led the group in prayer asking for guidance and favor.

With the sun still sleeping at around 5am and with our guides’ and Tito’s head lamps, our phone’s flashlights, we started to climb Mt. Binacayan.

A store on the trail

Few minutes in, we were still walking on soft and slippery ground due to rain the night before. As we go further, the ground was replaced with rocks requiring us to climb them. Good thing Mr. Sun decided to wake up and made the climbing easier for us.

Soon enough, I came across a good enough spot which resulted to the pics below:

From this point on, I let go of the idea of me wearing my camera while climbing since the trail started to get steep.

Around 6-7am, we reached the first peak which allowed us to behold the sight of the sea of clouds!

We didn’t stop there and went on closer to the clouds though this part was the hardest for me because I literally am shaking the whole “mini-descent” to the edge. All the fear I felt was gone once we reached the edge and was awestruck with how beautiful the scenery is before me. You HAVE to be there to experience it. Some pictures I took at the first peak (sorry I wasn’t able to take a picture of everyone since my feet were still shaking):

We continued on until we reach the summit at around 8:30am. We stayed here for a while since there’s a long line of groups wanting to take a picture at the summit. Here are some pictures at the summit:

After almost an hour at the summit, we started our descent. Our guides led us to a very steep 80-90 degree climb trail saying that this is the quickest way to go down. Of course, we challenged ourselves and traveled down this path.

The trail going down is made up of 80% rock climb with us having to hold on to sharp rocks so that we would be able to climb down the nearest rock. However, I enjoyed this more than the descent to the edge on the sea of clouds.

We made it on the foot of the mountain at around 12noon, spent and tired from all the ascent and descent we just did. We ate lunch, took a shower, and waited for our ride home.

I spent much of the ride home sleeping but was very amazed and in awe of the memories, the hardships, and the friendships that we were able to create for new friends, and bonds that were made stronger.

Hopefully this wouldn’t be the last time I get to go out with these guys.

PS: I’ll upload all the pictures in my FB account.

[fromdarknesstolayto]

The Small Of His Back

Feature Story | 20171105

He has been in MZCF for almost 15 years now and ever since then, he has been a follower of Christ.

But before I tell you my experiences with this person, let’s first dig into his background. The most interesting information of him that I knew is that he used to be a person of chaos, which forced him to live in different places such as abandoned towns, jungles, and other “unknown” parts of the Philippines. He used to have a bounty in his head that will certainly make you look and report hin to the authorities.

When I came to know the Lord and started to attend at MZCF, I did not know him right away. Only when I was assigned and entrusted to close and lock our worship center at 507 Shaw every Sunday did I get the chance to know him. After I lock the gates, I always met with him to give him the keys at the Freedom Park in Welfareville. He has dark brown skin – common complexion to us, Filipinos, especially if you’re one to always stay under the sun. He has a below average height of maybe around 5-foot 3-inches and lean body frame which you can tell he got from his past. He always had that gentle smile for me as we meet and I can tell that the Lord has done so much to him and for him.

He had numerous ministries that you will be amazed how a 50-year-old person can do it. Such ministries are: maintenance of our worship center – all the equipment including air conditioners, faucet, and toilet; gatekeeper; key holder; preacher; handles Bible Study groups of feeding workers; RKF Bldg. Administrator; overseer of the feeding program; husband; father; friend; and many more.

Until he collapsed and fell into a coma. He was rushed to the hospital and suddenly everyone has been sending prayers for healing his way. One day, I received a text message informing me that he already went home to the Lord. I was crushed because I didn’t even have the chance to visit him in the hospital. I didn’t even have the chance to tell him that God has a reason why he is going through these.

The last time I had an encounter with him is last September when there’s something wrong with the air conditioner and he was there fixing it. There was no hint of any weakness in his movements and in voice, that could alert me that he is sick. We chatted for a while and then he had to go home.

His life is a testimony of what God can do to a person who has surrendered everything to his God. Everything that he has done are all for the glory of Christ who saved him from everlasting torment in hell. His story is a continuous encouragement to me and therefore I’m sharing his story to you: that we may become like him who has been of very good use to his Master and Lord – Jesus Christ.

I will always remember the small of his back as you walk away to go home that day in September. I will always miss your presence. But I know that one day, we will see you again when the Day of the Lord comes. Until then, goodbye Tatay Frelan Alde.

[fromdarknesstolayto]

The Dilemma

“The greatest problem facing man today has nothing to do with weapons. It has nothing to do with war. It has nothing to do with nuclear factors. The greatest problem facing man today is the greatest problem facing man in all of his history. It is sin. That’s the problem.”

Before I expound on this topic, I plead with you that you keep an open mind until the end. I pray that God would allow you to see the truth through this.

As this is my first post, I would like to start with the most important dilemma that everyone has. The sin problem.

In Genesis, it shows us that man has a direct and open communication with God. We can see multiple accounts which show God talking with Adam. One of which is when He gave Adam the command to not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

“but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.“ Genesis‬ ‭2:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Sin started when man disobeyed this commandment - when Adam chose to love Eve more than God by eating the fruit which Eve gave him. Since then, there has been a gap in the relationship of God and man.

We inherited this from Adam which also resulted to us having a separation from God.

“but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isaiah‬ ‭59:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Everyone is a sinner.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

All of us deserves hell - the place which God designed for sinners.

The Solution

Of course, God knew this that’s why He provided us with a solution.

He sent His one and only begotten Son to receive our supposedly punishment. He is the One who received God’s wrath - all that happened to Him from the Garden of Gethsemane up to the cross in Calvary - in our place.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, endured all of these so that our relationship with God the Father will be restored.

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah‬ ‭53:3-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God has provided us the Way. Jesus is the Way.

“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭ESV‬

All others are in vain. Being good in character; Being traditionally religious; Having done good works.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It is only by repentance from our sins and faith in the accomplished work of Jesus Christ are we saved. So tonight, I urge you, brethren, to reflect on all these and talk with God.

I can assure you that He hears you and I pray thay by His grace, you will be granted the same saving faith that I have.

This has been long enough and if you made it up to this point I want to thank you for listening. If you have questions, feel free to message me in whatever form of communication that you want and I’ll help you with it.

“For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."” Romans‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[fromdarknesstolayto]

The Beginning

They say that “the beginning is always the hardest”.

It’s also true for me in this case. I wasn’t fond of writing when I was in school but you can see me competing in essay writing contests back then.

You’re maybe asking right now, “so why are you writing stuff here for everyone else to see?” I’m also asking that to myself. Lol.

I believe what prompted me to try this is when I attended a writing workshop in my church. I tried writing in a diary but I had more fun writing feature stories. So here I am, trying tumblr out to make good use of my newly found interest - yes, not yet a hobby.

I’ll be writing about different things here and if you want to have a glimpse of what I’m thinking about, what’s my opinion to something, and/or just want to know me more, I’m pretty sure you will.

I’ll try to shorten my entries because I tend to write long ones (no one wants to read long and boring stories, correct?) so bear with me.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Pic for attention