Oil and Dew
Thoughts & Musings
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.
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.
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.
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
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©
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
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.
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
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!
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.
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
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.
Point your kids in the right direction. Whey they're old they won't be lost. (Proverbs 22:6)
I saw Nikko turn from young to youth.
Yesterday, during his HS graduation he was cited tops in theology.
What is theology, anyway?
It is the wrestling of human hearts to understand the mind of God.
Ahh, the young man seeks to know. I am all too glad that He makes Himself known much more clearly than we care to understand.
Go True North, young eagle ... Pursue THEOLOGY 102.
Nikko Pineda / Prince of Peace Christian School: 2016 HS Graduation / Athlete-Scholar-Theologian
O God,
You have given us our dwelling places.
Teach us how to live well within its boundaries.
Help us to learn the language of your concern for all peoples.
We seek your unction of peace and prosperity upon its borders.
We lift up our governors for anointed protection and wise endowment.
Grant us discerning joy to recognize your wisdom why we are where we are now.
Amen.
photography: Yen Baet / The Cocoon Tower, Nishi Shinjuku
Friendship runs flat when the other turns into the other's sidekick.
When Christ disclosed his model: He not only got kicked on the side.
He died for the others.
photography: Paolo Esquivel
All it takes is one look.
The contrast of darkness and light diminishes from the vantage point of redemption.
Come and See.
Imago Dei, now showing.
photography: Renchi Arce
Christ is seated at the right hand of His Father.
His body is tangibly made manifest through His followers.
We joyfully refer to it as the Body of Christ.
Candid Saints / TGC NYC
Ricci is my youngest sister. She was born when I was about done with college.
Back in Asia, our cultural indoctrination edicts the eldest son to vow assistance to his siblings until they are done with school.
I knew this was not going to happen as I was called into ministry.
How does one get called anyway?
Well, it begins with a relinquishing of all preoccupations and an accompanying reallocation of trust.
I went to seminary with a good prompt that divine fiat will handle all my omissions.
I see this unwrapped every single day.
The hands of God are infinitely larger than mine.
Ricci is shining bright in her iconic craft.
I just know the source of lumens.
Marichelle Hills / Owner & Curator: MEUS
A decade ago, 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro shattered his hind leg at the starting bell at Preakness Stakes causing him complications leading to his death.
I often wondered why I cheer and mourn deep for race horses.
I remember often stealing my dad's 1965 Mustang and clock racing the gap in between towns. It was the unbridled expression of my adolescence, I guess.
I met old family in Chicago and history has it that my family tree harks back to stallion traders in North Luzon. No wonder, my aptitude seems equine. Ha! No wonder my youngest daughter still speaks of her fondness to own a horse, one day.
BMW enthusiast and mechanic, Jay C. took me for a spin in his souped-up M3 yesterday. His jockeying skill and machine sent me back to the race tracks!
While on top speed, I was merely hoping that the brakes had equal power to stop.
Funny, how horse sense kicks in while adrenaline is up.
I just remembered countless run-ins where failure to stop caused me some dying.
In my present trek, I choose fast just because the ONE who prompts me with urgency hits the breaks, grips the road without spill or break.
Pneumatology 101.
Work has always been viewed with skepticism.
The ancient Greeks believed that gods enlisted humans for work and thus devoid of blessing.
Aristotle proclaimed that a genuinely worthwhile life is one that is free from labor. In Greek philosophy, the proper virtue is to be least involved in the tinkering of the material world.
The merits of this orientation somehow seeped into our present consciousness: we tend to view work as necessary evil. We frown upon menial workers and set into pedestal the thinkers and artisans.
God's example is diametrically opposed to this flawed understanding.
Philip Jensen is precise in saying:
If God came into the world, what would he be like? For the ancient Greeks, he might have been a philosopher-king. The ancient Romans might have looked for a just and noble statesman. But how does the God of the Hebrews come into the world? As a carpenter.
Thus, a redemptive view of work is necessary.
I was crafted by the Creator for work to bloom for His glory.
There is no retirement from such endeavor.
© 2016 Oil and Dew Ltd
