1961.
56 years ago.
God crafted me with His life.
Full
God's measure yields complete joy.
It arises from personal obedience.
Full and beyond compare are His gifts.
Eye Shadow
Malice promotes malignancy.
Purity upholds integrity.
Our vision merely follows what's in our hearts.
B Scene / Kara Bianca Diwa
Clear
Japanese "maguro" is casuallly served in "akami" which is the leaner part of the tuna.
When "toro" is requested, the succulent fatty side of the belly is served.
The difference is clear: full bodied flavor of the latter just like the mercies of Christ.
Wish
Hope is better than wish.
Wish is contingent on chance.
Fiat drives hope.
Justice
A true understanding of my current standing must be heard:
I was not granted justice.
God lavished me grace, instead.
Myth
Stories are either imagined or recollected.
Humanities abound in the former.
Scriptures claim the latter.
Parking
The proper place to park is where one is most near his task.
I seldom think about this locus.
The hardest to park is my tongue.
Spot On
The goal of life is centered.
Either I determine it ...
or allow God to reveal the plan.
Directed
Life is guided.
Who does the lead matters.
God claims purview over all our path.
All In
Christianity is not your regular religion.
It is all in.
Nothing out.
GPS
Me: Papa, don't worry about us. We are all good. God has favored us with lavish blessings. You may now rest.
Papa: (staring at me ... silently intimating a thought ...)
Me: You taught me all that I am now good at ... grammar, foresight, basketball, boxing, persevering ... now, please teach me the most important practice ... how to jump from here to the eternal arms of our Redeemer.
Papa: (one last heave ... a strong but gentle inhale of final oxygen without any further release ...)
Thank you my beloved mentor and friend.
You taught me well.
California Flight to His Eternal Mansion / 2010 / Tomas Trinidad Diwa Jr.
Soar
When wings are clipped, spirit dies.
When hearts are freed, soul rises.
Only in Christ can we fly.
Mother and Daughter at New World Trade Center NYC
Old School
The anchor of ancient wisdom holds.
Run to the fount!
Ad fontis.
Absolute
Full obedience requires unconditional surrender.
Joy comes from the absolute.
God never withholds favor toward His faithful ones.
Nicolo: Praying Warrior
Courage
Faith runs from a stream of bold humility.
It breaks away from the ignorance of discernment.
A single step is taken leading towards freedom.
Nika Diwa-Ihedigbo/ DiwaDoll
Scrutiny
Our hearts are bare naked from within.
God speaks through to shatter our pretensions.
No amount of caffeine halts this.
Restitution
Forgiveness gives the sinner the voucher of reparation.
Bitterness rolls away with the sweet tide of reimbursement.
Ask for mercy and then quickly return whatever was taken.
Photography: Ces Evangelista
Pursuit
The element of pursuit is directly proportional to its motivation.
Race to win.
Beat the wind for Christ's acclaim.
Bro
The wealth of fellowship is deep.
Strangers become brothers.
Twined by the blood of the Lamb.
David, Tom & Co.