I will temporarily close this site as I cannot access its complete function, since I need to upgrade it into a "pro." I will only open this site once I had the chance to buy the domain and to make it into a pro. Rest assured that I will continue blogging in my tumblr account and I will fix the site in a manner like this site. Thanks for reading the entries of this blog! :)

Have you played Super Mario Brothers? I did. It is one of the many highlights of our generation. It was developed on 1985 and certainly became a trend for those who are geeks on gaming consoles.

But do you know that we can get some love lessons from this game? You might thought that it is crazy, but there is really a connection! That is why I chose it as the next installment for my Courtship series.

For a clear background, the series started in determining the right standard/s of being in the stage of courtship. The second one states that romance without wisdom is dangerous. The third and the latest installment encourages everyone to wait for love with patience and purity.

After discussing about discernment, wisdom, and patience in the context of purity; we are going to talk about patience as well. This time, in the context of perseverance.

...It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

The italicized words above comes from the love verse of the Bible. Simply put, it says that love perseveres. And like what I said on the last installment, Courtship 3: Jeepney Stop, these words are somewhat off on our generation. Why?

In modern romance, this generation tend to start in a hasty way. Then it will also end in the same manner. For the former, patience in terms of purity should prevail in order for us to not selfishly give our hearts to our "presumed partner." We need "jeepney stops," or time for us to mature in God's love and to be immersed in His standards.

But we might misunderstand that being in a jeepney stop means that we should be passive on this matter. While we focus on God's love, we should also be not secluded. We should not block our hearts. And we should not also give up on trying.

Like Mario. He is the man. He doesn't give up.

When I played the game for the first time, I became disappointed when I finished World 1-4. After beating the lights off Bowser (which is the fake anyway), the Mushroom Man said that the Princess was not there and try the next world castle. Then after 7 more tries (if you don't use warp tunnels), you finally met the princess and saved the day.

The question is: What if, like me, Mario became disappointed and stopped searching for Princess Toadstool? What if, he is a quitter?

Like in courtship, what if you somewhat fall for someone or what if you realize that he/she is your crush but circumstances and situations tell you it is not or still not appropriate? What if God intervened and said, "that person is not for you?"

Does this mean we should give up on this stage? That we should let our feelings and emotions get the most out of us and let the selfish love take over?

Sadly, the taking over part happens. Maybe you hear about someone who breaks a couple by becoming the infamous third party. Maybe you hear about someone who gives their certain someone everything yet the person doesn't reciprocate the feelings. 

Like Quest's Back to Love said: "You've been deceived by what you see. Got confused, no clarity. The love that you know is a fallacy." Sadly, love that comes from God and which is good becomes an idol. Love becomes an instrument of filling a gap that swallows morality and right conduct.

Therefore, what can we do? What should we do.

Answer: Be a Mario.

1. Mario does not run from the problem. Instead, he faces it. In fact, he pounds/burns them. Mario goes to the castle even though negative things block the way. In love, trials make an individual/ a couple resilient.

2. Mario does not give up. In love, even though a person realize or discern that the someone he/she looks up for isn't the right one for him/her, he/she doesn't dwell with depression. He/she instead resolves that God will give that "someone" in the future and that "someone" is the best for him/her.

3. Mario moves on. His life doesn't stop on the wrong castle. In love, the past doesn't matter. Dumped? Friendzoned? Abused? IT DOES NOT MATTER. God's plan is a perfect plan. That someone will be perfect for you, uniquely for you.


For the men who will read this blogpost, be a Mario, continue seeking provided that you will focus your trust on God, and He will be the priority in that season. Don't fear the trials bro, it will make you more macho. :) For the women, be the Princess. Accept your future Mario even though he stumbled on the wrong castle. The mistakes are not important. Yes, the lesson matters, and the manner God shaped your Mario will make him the perfect one for you. 

Love is patient, love is kind...

The first two words of a verse in the Bible seems to be off nowadays. Love, or specifically romantic interactions with the opposite sex was done in a hasty matter. Sadly, it ends in a hasty matter as well.

For the past few weeks, I have been working on a series about courtship. My intention is not to encourage young people to court or to be courted but to provide insights if we really have the guts, the resources, the wisdom and the purity to pursue a relationship.

The phrase for this day is: Jeepney Stop. I know that you have been on a jeepney stop or a waiting shed to wait for public utility vehicles that may help you to reach a desired location. And as I write the previous sentence, we can concoct a common word. Yes. Waiting.

Wait. Yield. Halt. Hold. There are many words that are associated in waiting. Patience. Stop, Look, and Listen. In this world, the word wait is commonly used.

But sometimes, commonly neglected. Especially in terms of love.

Personally, I hate jeepney stops. I hate waiting for a jeepney. And I really hate waiting for me to get to the destination sitting on a jeepney. That is why I love walking around, i love the adventure, i love reminiscing memories while walking. I think a lot when I walk.

I prefer walking than riding. Seriously.

In fact, I already placed my insights on the illustration above. What are my points?

1. Being in a jeepney stop marks that you are ready to be shaped by God when it comes to romantic interactions. In this stage, God is shaping your mindsets, your convictions, your habits, your finances, your priorities. This stage requires to have a strong relationship with God, a one-to-one growth with Him.
2. A person of the opposite sex will also stumble on the jeepney stop. If he/she isn't patient, that person will go out and start walking on his/her own. Otherwise, he/she will choose to be shaped as well. He/she will remain under the Shade.
3. Then the jeep will arrive, and by the call of the Driver's voice, you will be inside His vehicle. In this stage, His call will be heard by you, and the one He placed for you. Then you will be in a journey that will last, and God will provide the ways to make your relationship in His context and standards.
   

In my case, I am still in the process of walking and finding the right stop for me. Perhaps you are as well. In this stage, we are being shaped as singles for God. Enjoy it. Cherish it. God has placed you as well in this process. No need to hurry and find the stop. And if the time comes and you find yourself standing in a front of a jeepney stop, pray. Seek God's call if it really is your break. 

In summary:

• In love, there are jeepney stops. Stops that will require you to wait. Stops that will require for long-term patience and wisdom. What will waiting give us? Maturity. Endurance. Faith. We are supposed to wait for the right person. We should wait for him/her until the jeepney appears to pick you up.

• In love, there are jeepneys. Jeepneys have drivers. In this case, the jeep called love has a Driver. He is also called the Matchmaker. God. Jeepneys are the exploits, the journey, the adventure. After you wait, after the jeep finally arrives, you will find yourself with someone who will be with you as you reach a destination. Destinations are goals. And this goals, are set by God.
  

Therefore I ask you: Are you ready to be on the jeepney stop?

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple." Isaiah 6:1 (NIV)

Our nation, Philippines, specifically the Luzon part, has been devastated by floods due to long rains brought by southwest monsoon winds. Some municipalities/cities already declared state of calamity as means to compensate for the damages done by the occurring disaster.

And truly, most of the Filipinos are affected, whether it is physical, emotional, social, spiritual etc. I myself was affected emotionally. Seeing my fellow kababayans shivering and starving sparked me a sense of pity. I haven't experienced the flood directly, but looking on the news, I felt that I am on their situation; crying, begging.

I know that you having those feelings as well. We are sad, we are depressed, we are tired, we are agitated.

Like Isaiah. One day, their king died.

He is in the state of depression. Back then, people love their kings. They submit on their leadership. They love their rulers.

Yet, an event took place that changed Isaiah forever. In the year that King Uzziah died, God revealed Himself. He majestically showed His glory.

God was telling Isaiah: "Isaiah, I am in control." And maybe, He is telling you that as well. He is in control. :)

Following the next verses, there is a transformation within Isaiah. From Isaiah the depressed, he became Isaiah the blessed.

So as our nation experience a major disaster, I hope that we would instill in our minds that God's power is revealed and surely more revealed in times of turmoil and devastation. I know that in the year the Philippines cried, we will see the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of His robe filled the nation.

In a more personal context, let me ask this question: What is your King Uzziah right now? Who/what is that person/event that keeps you from moving on? Is it hard to let go and move on?

PRAY. He will show you the way. He will part waters blocking the course. He will lead you to the goal. Focus your eyes on Him. You will hit the mark.

And like Isaiah: you, from (insert your name here) the (most depressing adjective you can describe your situation), to (insert your name here) the (most positive adjective). :)

I was having a chat with a friend on Facebook and our conversation had a lonely tone.

Me: That's okay, let me pray for it.
Friend: Thank you. But I can't stop thinking about it.
Me: I know. :*

Continuing on my post about courtship, this time, we will talk about an illustration on the mindset we need when we are entering courtship. But before I reveal that illustration, let us have some clearance on some concepts involved.

When does courtship happen? What are the indications that a couple made an "upgrade" on their relationship?

On Joshua Harris' book Boy Meets Girl, he said that in this stage, both are more than friends yet less than lovers. In other words, they're in the verge of having a romantic relationship, yet, they are not. In this stage, purity and wisdom should come together.

Sadly, many couples tend to skip this stage. Social media, technology and social norm shifts break the part that can be used for discerning if they are really meant for each other. They experience an emotional outburst, which in turn, could blind them.

Then what is the use of wisdom on having a healthy courtship that may lead on a good romantic relationship? Imagine a dog with a leash placed on it. The dog represents romantic love, while the leash represents wisdom. On some point, the dog may think that the string is a big bother. It will plan to escape, so that it can freely roam without the presence of the master.

But this cannot happen. If the dog breaks out, it will be hard for the master to protect the dog. If the leash snapped, the dog's safety is history.

Romance without wisdom can be dangerous. Imagine going to war without guns, going to tennis match without a tennis racquet or going to drive without a license. Without wisdom, a healthy relationship is uncertain.

Long-term relationships cannot stand on emotions alone. It needs wisdom. It needs practical, common sense wisdom.

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." James 3:17 (NIV)

Browsing on my Twitter Account, a trending topic on the Trends list caught my attention, "#DefineSingle" At first, I am curious on what is going on with the hash tag and started clicking it. I am greatly astonished on what I saw since some people said that being single is nice because you complete your 8 hr sleep, you don't have someone dependent on you and other negative things about having a relationship.

I cannot blame them for having that kind of attitude/mindset. But all I know that having a relationship is not bad. It is just that even the true definition of love is tainted by the worldly attitudes of men.

And seeing the hash tag and this verse in my quiet times, I decided to write about one of the disturbing topics when it comes to love, romantic love: COURTSHIP.

There are many ways to court. Sometimes we even classify them as the Liberal and the Conservative; the Modern and the Old-Fashioned. Many people in our generation are already indulged in modern terms of courtship. Others still cling on to the latter. And sadly, this won't be the center of this post. Instead, I want to tell you a story. We will discuss more of these on the next parts. :)

We are made to dream of being a hero. We always want to be (or gain the powers and achievements of) Superman, Batman, Spiderman etc. We are made to do more, we are made to dream higher. And sometimes, when it comes to courtship, we tend to somewhat praise and commend the successful stories of some successful couples. It might be in your family, community, school or church. These stories become our inspirations, aspiring that their story will be your story as well.

We want our relationship to last and that is the reason we become inspired. I am not saying that it is bad to set an example. But let me tell you this, it is not enough for someone to rely on stories of man alone.

Then let me tell you the story I got from a book:

Imagine yourself in a painting class. The master painter asks the class to duplicate his painting. You are given materials in order to do so.  But as you start to paint, you notice that your neighbor have a larger paintbrush. On the other side, that person have a different canvas. There are people who have acrylic, watercolor, oil pastels etc. Each of you have different colors. Then a classmate will also notice this and starts complaining, "How am I going to paint if the materials of each people are different? What if I need a pastel, or a smaller brush?"

And the master painter will said, "I didn't ask you to compare each others painting. As far as I am concerned, each material I have given you are for you, I evaluated each of you and decided to give you those. Isn't your job to duplicate my painting, not to compare and not to compete with your classmates?"

This is how courtship should work. We have different talents, convictions, stands, tastes, and perceptions. Yet there is one thing our Master Painter want us to do: FOCUS ON HIS PICTURE. Focus on His plans. Focus on the One who loved us first.

We should do courtship not on our standards, not on their standards, not on that standards, BUT BASED ON GOD'S STANDARDS.

Evaluate yourself:
Are you ready to have a commitment? Discern it based on God's standards.
Do you have purity and security (emotional and financial)? Discern it based on God's standards.
Siya na ba kaya??? Discern it based on God's standards.
Kelan kaya siya darating? Discern it based on God's standards.

Yey! I am back to blogging! :D I missed it, since this last month, my schedule didn't permit me to share my thoughts. :) Well, some writers, even those who are well-known around the world such as manga artists and famous bloggers take a hiatus once in a while. Well, hello again blogging world. Let me have the time to write on the next couple of days! Thank you God for the rest! :D