Prior to birth, our days have been carefully ordained.
God claims authorial purview over our lives.
It is one thing to merely recognize it and another thing to pursue such with hope.
Nathan, my hope-filled nephew.
Hidden
The complexity of humanity's fall is well represented by our propensity to hide.
Adam and Eve hid.
And the seeking never ends ... until we yield to the only cover that protects us.
Easy Win
There is hard labor.
There is easy work.
Athletes refer to the swing zone as a stage of effort where ease takes over cruising towards victory.
The biblical writers referred to such as grace.
It is the grand exchange of one's weakness with Christ's enduring strength.
BCC Three-on-Three Champions / with Tasheba Butler, Jeremy Ramilo, & Marco Pineda
Birthday Girl
It is Nika's birthday today.
It was just like yesterday when I stood speechless cradling her in my arms a few seconds right after birth.
It will remain a sacred mystery on how this young lady leverages the cloth of Christ in all she does.
I praise God for the beautiful gift that you are to us.
Clothed in Wonder Land
Precious
We were created by Elohim (אֱלֹהִים).
As such, the majestic grandeur of His craftsmanship layers our existence with delicate care.
We are precious in God's eyes.
Training
The original intent of athleticism is towards a prize.
To know the why of our expended efforts requires constant pauses.
I stop frequently to seek the eyes of my Master who trains me for battle.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Earl Klugh
God's musical craftsmanship is indescribably staggering.
In my on-going artistry, no one has quite surpassed the thematic influence of the jazz guitarist Earl Klugh.
It is such a wonder how strummed strings elevate one's affections towards good.
Last night, I was one-on-one with the iconic genius.
Handpicked was I when he played the classic Heart Strings just ten feet away.
Steward
Our children are precious grants.
For a season, we are tasked to be faithful stewards.
God has designated my ineptness to become His receptacle of indescribable grace.
With Nika at 5 years old.
Mystery
Marriage is a mystery.
God claims it to be His work.
When two are joined as one, identity is altered by divine fiat.
I am called to relax and lean in on this deep truth.
I am a witness to this spectacle. I was both Father of the Bride and Officiating Minister.
Yesterday
Today runs with zeal towards yesterday.
No amount of chase keeps up.
Except of course ... the flight of memories.
My little Bianca back in 1995.
Behind the Scene
Behind every laughter is a tear.
Behind every tear is a fall.
Behind every fall is a promise.
One day all chaos will disappear. Write that down. That's what the Author of Life said.
Nika Diwa-Ihedigbo's practice run.
Strings
Earl Klugh set my ears towards the nuance of jazz.
The improvisations of music reflect the amazing dexterity of God in turning twists and turns into a concert tapestry.
Everything works together for good for those who are in Christ.
Yes, even for snapped strings such as I.
Sketch: David Talaguit / Finding Klugh based on my Sunday Sermon: All Things New / Book of Revelation Chapter 21
Home Court
Home is where the aspects of recreation are felt.
An abode is said to be homely when the aura of play sweetly prevails.
Does God play hoops in heaven?
I try to prepare for our surprising one-on-one.
Steps
Every summer, my church holds a Daily Vacation Bible School that features a distinct gospel theme.
Each year, a petite Romanian girl and her sister living at the condominium next block gets drop off by their parents.
I have seen the miracle of a slow but steady witness turn lil' Mimi into a fine young lady.
Her cruciform began with a few steps leading to the house of God.
Climb
Upper body strength propels the climb from point to point.
But it is the stability of foot traction that provides the crucial balance for the next step.
I find this basic principle informing my daily ascent.
What I know cerebrally must always be augmented by practicality.
When I say I believe in grace.
Mercy must anchor my steps.
Rise and Shine, O my soul!
Push
The toll of age has its way of eroding strength.
Not for the bold who take God at His Word.
They exchange every morsel of weakness for a good push.
Training my faithful right leg minus the fibula.
Holy Delight
The gift of pleasure is most sacred.
This gives me a clue about the magnanimity of God's heart.
To experience delight is to know that holiness does matter.
Study
The crucial part of parenting involves the aspect of careful study.
Children are a gift from God that assumes deliberate time involvement.
The wisdom of Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go ..." speaks of a specific direction ( דֶּרֶךְ ) that has been divinely crafted into every child.
I remember observing my firstborn constantly veering towards clothing and fashion as early as two. It was quite challenging to navigate her world but I found respite in seeking wisdom from the LORD who claims to know her much more than I do.
As I sought to study my daughter's guided path, I found HIS lamp so sufficient and safe.
Nika's early steps into her Father's ramp
Signature
When a branding iron marks a stallion, ownership is made public.
Human tattoos are rather tricky.
Current trends leverage the craft of ink from various orientation.
There are those who go for art.
There are those who flaunt their conquest.
There are those who flag their allegiance.
And there are those who declare their death through life.
Yanika Karmine's ID
Oats & Ought
Healthy heart comes as a result of deliberate discipline.
It is my daily bread to hush my soul to spew out clog.
This is never easy, it calls for a mountain-climb resolve to go for God.
