Through the years, a deep desire has been granted to my oftentimes wayward heart:
Nothing more
Nothing less
But
God's Will
in my life.
Drop the Mic.
Mother of the Bride
During Nika's wedding, I kept glancing at her mother.
There was this resplendence that spoke volumes.
Beauty runs deep.
First Love
Divine audacity declares the origin of true love.
A few minutes before my daughter's wedding, I was invited into the Bride-to-be's regal dressing room. Her heart speech muted whatever trepidation I had about her new journey.
She gifted me with an elegant silver tie bar which inscribed the only reason why the wedding took place.
I loved you first.
Nika did not even realize that this was the exact biblical text on my wedding back in 1988.
Ahh, the love of Christ never changes!
Central Point
When all of a man's preoccupations are doing well except his marriage, he will come out into the world with a posture of weakness.
When all of a man's preoccupations are not doing well but his marriage flourishes, he will come out into the world with a posture of strength.
Sketch: David Talaguit / Model shown: Jose Talaguit & Linda Talaguit
Kiss
יָדַע (yada) is hebrew for sex.
It represents deep intimacy.
It is most pure in the blessing of marriage.
Father's Gift
In the Garden of Eden, the Father's grant was intuitively revealing.
There was no parent and a child.
There was man and a woman.
Thus, the gift of marriage.
Dance Steps
She was a stumbling toddler on her fist steps.
She is a gazelle on her wedding day.
I watched from the windows of dance the staggering virtuoso of Christ, her life choreographer.
Poetry Springs Wedding / Father-Daughter Dance
Swish
When God's will is taken seriously
nets are broken.
Father Daughter Dance
Today I get front seat at my eldest daughter's wedding.
I walk her down the aisle.
I officiate the rites.
I entrust Nika to the bridegroom.
Sometime soon I get another front spectacle seat.
I get to walk down another aisle.
I perform the rites.
I will entrust Bianca to God's choice man.
And the dance continues ...
Nika, my eldest. Bianca, my youngest. Both the Lord's precious gems.
Hand Held
It is either you live life alone in your steps
or
you are held by the ONE who determined your shoe-size even before your birth.
Son's Shield
Robert is a strong powerpoint.
His passion and zestful affection towards his son illustrates the joy of my Heavenly Father's regard for me.
Like Josh, I am shielded forever.
photography: Paolo Esquivel
Fly
What's behind a name?
Who gave the designated identity?
Authority resides only in the Creator.
He determines the flight of all.
photography: Renchi Arce
Chasing Theology
The study of God is rather problematic.
How can a mind flogged by spiritual amnesia process divine identity?
And so, we chase counterfeit gods forged in yellow.
Firstborn
What does it mean to be a child of God?
It's defining moment is when one gets treated like His firstborn.
A smile is not even accurate to beam its joy.
Nika: my first born by bloodline and God's firstborn by the blood of the Lamb
H2O
I pant for water.
Only Christ satisfies.
He waters my life.
photography: Yen Baet / Kasuga Taisha: Nara, Japan
The Promise
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.
Ringless
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.
Nose Bleed
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.
Theology of Dress
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
Ali
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.
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