Christmas in our hearts...♥

  

Underneath the merriment of Christmas, a melancholy stream flows like a river. It isn't simply feelings of nostalgia or the holiday blues; it's the art of the imponderable--- the unsearchable sorrow of God-in-flesh coming to die for the sins of the world. 

If we miss this feeling, somehow we’ve missed Christmas.

I think the very oldest hymns of Christmas best open our hearts to these bittersweet feelings of wonder. To be sober by the truth that Jesus Christ, chose to live and die miserably to pay the wages of our sins ( Romans 6:23)

That’s why I thank Booksneeze for giving me a book to hear once again the solemn strains of ancient canticles of Christmas hymns. "Then sings my soul" by Robert Morgan is a must read book. 

Much love, ♥

http://sevencupsofrice.blogspot.com

Who is Santa Claus?

Who is Santa Claus? Why does he exist?

            Everyone of us knows “Santa Claus” ever since we were little.. He has been introduced by elders through their stories, specifically illustrated by televisions, movies, commercials, books and many more.. We all know the story that “Santa Claus is coming to town..” to give the children their gifts for Christmas.. 

This stout, wearing-all-red-with-black-belt-and-sack-full-o’-gifts-on his back, round spectacles,  his snowy white beard and mustache that almost covers his face that’s why his unrecognizable, has tarried on every kids undemanding imagination… We all believed that “Santa” is really living in North Pole with his many elves. Believed that he is listing the names of the kids who have been good for the year and prepared them his presents.. We all just believed….

But the belief on “Santa Claus” vanishes for many. Santa Claus promises that if they’ve been good they will receive presents… But where are the presents? Gone with the wind? Does Santa’s reindeer lost on their way that’s why the presents can’t reach them?

In fact, Santa Claus is really just a character of a story.. A make-believe..(or maybe a "man" does exist but just for a short time and people exaggerated  his existence.) He existed, just so the children would believe that there will be presents for them on Christmas, so that they will be excited on Christmas day… He was made to create an overjoyed feeling for many, but does this relate to the word “Christmas” itself? The night when Jesus Christ was born? What does Santa’s relation to Jesus, who’s theoretically celebrating His birth that day?

I admired the one who invented “Santa” for he’s “such a hit!” but disappointed because he turned the minds off the true meaning of Christmas… try to ask some kids or even… Adults!!! and ask them what excites them on Christmas.. “SANTA CLAUS!!!” some would say…“ GIFTS!!”,“ NINONG &NINANG’S MONEY!!”( sorry, ninongs and ninangs but kids look for you on Christmas because you give them aginaldos...) Of course, Christmas is about giving but why do we give? “BECAUSE SANTA WILL SEE ME THAT I’M GOOD SO HE’LL GIVE ME PRESENT..” (sighs…) No!!! Parents, if you’re reading this.. you have to make sure your kids know the true meaning of Christmas!! The reason we give, is because of God!

God GAVE His only begotten Son (JESUS) for us because HE LOVES US!! (John 3:16). God loves us and gave us His most precious gift without any condition, all we have to do is just RECEIVE it .(JESUS). 

Try to parallel Jesus Christ to Santa Claus…

·                           Jesus Christ’s birthday was on Christmas day, not sure on the exact day but it is true, for it was written in the Bible (the Living Word), Santa was made maybe during Christmas also by a man- author.

·                           Jesus Christ loves ALL children not just the good ones…unlike Santa who just give his presents for the good ones..

·                           Jesus Christ gift is for EVERYONE. (John 3:16), no delayed comings for you can receive it NOW, He doesn’t need reindeers to fly Him onto your house for He is EVERYWHERE. He knows that everyone’s doing bad things but that’s not the basis of Him giving us His gift. It is the most precious gift you would ever receive for it will last for eternity. Santa’s gifts were just homey-toys that will soon fade…

Santa Claus was almost alike with Jesus Christ with his motivation to let all people believe on him. But the great difference is… Jesus Christ is true! He’s free to anyone who wants to celebrate this Christmas happily. Do you want to celebrate this Christmas with smiley faces? A heart full of hope. Santa may give you a night of happiness, but Jesus can give you a lifetime of joy. Who will you choose now?  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   I wrote this article about 4 years ago, I'm really glad flash drives are invented..haha! Let's celebrate the true meaning of Christmas... Remember, Christmas won't be "Christmas" without Christ!~_~


Much love, ♥

http://sevencupsofrice.blogspot.com

Jesus is the sweetest name I know...

There have been names that I have loved to hear,

But never has there been a name so dear

To this heart of mine as the name divine,

The precious, precious name of Jesus

there is no name in heaven above,

that we should give such love

as the blessed name; let us all aclaim

That wondrous, glorious name of Jesus,

and someday I shall see Him face to face

to thank and praise Him for His wondrous grace

which He gave to me when He made me free

the blessed Son of God called Jesus..

Jesus is the sweetest name I know,

And He’s just the same as His lovely name,

And that’s’ the reason why I love Him so

O Jesus is the sweetest name I know

I’m currently reading “Then sings my soul” by Robert Morgan and I learned to appreciate more of hymns now…from words to music…  This one over here was made by Lela B. Long.

   She was led to Christ when she was sick and almost did not have long to live. It’s amazing how God sustained the tune of her life and even use her for His greater glory…

Jesus is truly the sweetest name I know….~_~  

Welcoming the month of December... a merry Christmas season to all...~_~

Much love, ♥

http://sevencupsofrice.blogspot.com

It's Bonifacio Day!!!

     It’s November 30, 2010 and today is Bonifacio day (a national hero) I searched about the life of Andres Bonifacio and I found out that his remains are not yet discovered. Hmmm..

     Well.. I’m not going to tell you about the heroic deeds of Andres Bonifacio here, but parallel to that I knew another “Bonifacio” who’s celebrating his birthday today.  Happy Birthday Tito Jun!!! You are heroic in the lives of many people around you.. especially in your family…

   May God bless you more to be a blessing EVEN MORE to the people that surrounds you… A very blessed birthday to you!~_~

 

Much love, ♥

http://sevencupsofrice.blogspot.com

Letters from the past...

i just find this cyuuute!!~_~

 <---NOT MINE...
...but "dear" is familiar to me..and the rain...~_~
i just found this thru Love-Meter.net and its cyuuute!!isn't it?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I was about to post something on my blog, when I took a lot of time reading letters on my Facebook inbox... haha! good old days...and good newer ones...~_~

  Sometimes its good to bring back the memories from the past... it actually gives me a smile while reading how Pablo Santiago swept me off my feet..(also his literally doing that to me during the times we spar) hmm.. and that's also the reason why we love the song Swept Away by Christopher Cross.♥

  Anyway, for some of you who joined the "Draw me, Pablo Santiago" contest. just wait for my post ok? 
Belated happy thanksgiving!! there's a lot of things to be thankful for...

..memories...

.....memories....

......MEMORIES.....


Much love, ♥

http://sevencupsofrice.blogspot.com

                                                                              

Review: Then Sings My Soul Special Edition by Robert J. Morgan

As a music lover, the title “Then Sings My Soul” caught my attention. Then Sings My Soul Special Edition by Robert J. Morgan is a 150 collection of Christmas, Easter, and ALL-TIME favorite hymns plus stories behind the songs. You will be surprised that the songs we joyfully sing on church pews have their own sorrowful background. It just manifests that through Jesus we find true JOY!

“Then Sings My Soul” gives me a MUCH greater appreciation for hymns. I’m amazed on how the writers, although they live years apart still exclaims the same message about Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. They remind me of the writers of the Bible, they don’t know each other, lived miles and years apart, yet they carry the same Word.  I’m also amazed by how beautifully they made the songs from words to music.

Morgan reveals the authors’ life stories… from good to bad, from struggles to joy… It inspire me to make my own hymns as well… one like the ones wrote by the writers of hymn from this book, all have Biblical truths. I would definitely share this book to my Pastor and church friends…and share the writer stories too! A great testimony for everyone!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trace Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

B.U.S.Y.

  Some say that being “Busy” means you’re B.U.S.Y 

(Being Under Satan’s Yoke) but to me it’s the contrary,…

well…I’m  B.U.S.Y (Being Under Spirit’s Yield) It was our church 30^th anniversary yesterday, and I rarely stayed home since Friday. I have been busy with a lot of preparations, and outreaches… Tiring but joyful….I tried to blog during weekdays but I got problems posting… so I spent the whole week keeping in mind the things that happened. I hope I can recall everything that happened though.

  I think it was days before the preparation when I made myself a logo for Seven Cups of Rice here it is... 

   I made it for my Entrecard profile business card, original photo taken by me.

~_~

   

I also got my free book from Booksneeze this morning.. The title of the book is “Then Sings my Soul.” By Robert J. Morgan. I'm going to write my review about it soon..:~_~