Paglalakbay sa Buhay

Napagod. Nasaktan. Nabasag.
Pinagpahinga. Natuwa. Binuo.

Eto ang kwento ng buhay ko.

May mga tagumpay.
May mga pagkatalo.

May mga tamang nagawa.
May mga maling di na uulitin pa.

Buhay ay sadyang isang paglalakbay.

May masaya, may malungkot;
Sa lahat ng iyon, may isang hindi nagbabago.

Ikaw, Hesus, and Diyos ko anuman mangyari!

Hindi Ka nagbago, Ika'y tapat kailan pa man.
Sa lahat ng pighati at katuwaan, kasama Kita.
Lumingon ako, nandun Ka.
Bukas, sadyang nandun Ka pa rin.

Ikaw, Hesus, and Diyos ko anuman mangyari!

 * Adopted from the Song, "Through All Of It" by Colton Dixon. It seems every line of that song says what my heart would exactly say to God.
 * Image comes from Google Image Search

For the Love of my Life

Since we are in the month when predominantly the "love is in the air", let me share to you my poem for my sweet inspiration - the Love of my life!

Actually, I have written this way back 2011 in my past post about the 6 Types of Love. (And if you would like to know what type of love is dominant in you, please do check it out.)

For the Love of my Life

© 2011 Erickson Ibana

That when everything else around me seems to fail,

And when my faith seems to falter,

When all I hold on to seems to be gone,

And all my hopes and dreams  seem to vanish.

When things are not going as I first expected,

And frustrations seem to eat away my flickering faith…

Whenever I look at your love for me,

And focus on your unconditional love,

Everything around me starts to dim,

Giving me another reason to strive,

And run this race called “life”,

For You and only You, my God, my Friend.

I might consider myself a failure in this "area" (one reason might be my extreme introversion, most especially towards the person that I like, and other "valid" reasons), but there is one thing that I have proven to be true all along - Jesus Christ, with His unconditional love, did not leave me even at those times when my faith on Him was weak and rather chose to please myself.

I might not know the future yet (and that includes my future wife), but I am sure He will never leave me (because He promised it, and I believe He will keep His promise).

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Hebrews 13:5

You might have found your "better half" already or still in the progress of meeting that person, but still, know that it is Jesus Christ who is the only Person who can love you unconditionally - but you have to let Him love you first by surrendering your life and turning away from your sinful ways.

I hope and pray that God would open your heart and your eyes, by His grace, for you to see how you really need Jesus Christ in your life. And to fully experience a lasting satisfaction from this "Love Month" on!

© 2014 Erickson Ibana

Image can be found at http://www.saidaonline.com/en/news.php?go=fullnews&newsid=34982

The Code of A Gentleman

I just wanted to share this nice code...

(taken from a booklet given to all first year students of Virginia Military Institute)

Without a strict observance of the fundamental Code of Honor, no man, no matter how `polished,’ can be considered a gentleman. The honor of a gentleman demands the inviolability of his word, and the incorruptibility of his principles. He is the descendant of the knight, the crusader; he is the defender of the defenseless and the champion of justice . . . or he is not a Gentleman.

A Gentleman . . .
Does not discuss his family affairs in public or with acquaintances.
Does not speak more than casually about his girl friend.
Does not go to a lady’s house if he is affected by alcohol. He is temperate in the use of alcohol.
Does not lose his temper; nor exhibit anger, fear, hate, embarrassment, ardor or hilarity in public.
Does not hail a lady from a club window.
A gentleman never discusses the merits or demerits of a lady.
Does not mention names exactly as he avoids the mention of what things cost.
Does not borrow money from a friend, except in dire need. Money borrowed is a debt of honor, and must be repaid as promptly as possible. Debts incurred by a deceased parent, brother, sister or grown child are assumed by honorable men as a debt of honor.
Does not display his wealth, money or possessions.
Does not put his manners on and off, whether in the club or in a ballroom. He treats people with courtesy, no matter what their social position may be.
Does not slap strangers on the back nor so much as lay a finger on a lady.
Does not `lick the boots of those above’ nor `kick the face of those below him on the social ladder.’
Does not take advantage of another’s helplessness or ignorance and assumes that no gentleman will take advantage of him.
A Gentleman respects the reserves of others, but demands that others respect those which are his.
A Gentleman can become what he wills to be. .

Full context found on: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/vmi.htm 

Not Work Anymore!

I was just in my 4th or 5th grade when my teacher asked the whole class to memorize a certain kind of poem.

At that time, as an immature and nonchalant boy, I kept asking and complaining to myself “Why would I memorize such “long” poem?! Would it be a waste of time?! I wanna have my snack now!”

But as I now try to repeat that poem in my mind, as an aspiring and young professional, I am beginning to see the depth of that poem. It isn’t that long, and I admit it that I have already forgotten the exact words and sequence. However, the lesson it attempted to force into my mind years ago has somehow sprouted now that I was compelled to search for the exact words of the poem.

Love Your Work

by H. L. Neri

If you don’t like your work,

you’ll need three times the energy
to force yourself to work
to resist the force
and finally to work.

If you love your work,
your desire to do it
will be like a wind
to propel your ship
with much less fuel.

If you like your work,
you work no more
for work when you like it
is work no longer
but sheer enjoyment.

If you enjoy your work,
you’ll work and work
without counting the hours
and you’ll reap and enjoy

more earnings as well.

Indeed, in that poem resides a valuable and priceless treasure. In fact, going beyond the word “work”, we could replace that to anything we are presently trying to be accomplished.

May we find our “work” to be a sheer enjoyment!

© 2010 Erickson Ibana

You

Why is it that,
Whenever I look at you,
There is always this
Peculiar feeling inside?

Why is it that,
When I saw your photograph,
There was this
Feeling of longing inside?

Truly YOU said,
"Wait upon ME..."

But sometimes I wonder,
Is my stubbornness the reason
Why you and I are not "meeting" yonder?
Indeed, I am such a wretched man!
Who would ever deserve someone like me?

But still, I cling to YOUR call.
Please prune me if it is needed;
Please chastise me if I didn't heeded;
But please, don't let my faith on YOU
Flicker like a dying lamp.

I cannot live a day without YOU.

© 2010 Erickson Ibana

A Traveler's Memoir

Is this what you call "life"......when all is well, you tend to forget your Creator -gratifying every pleasures,indulging every desires,satisfying every wants....when it seems you "don't need" anything more -feeling "more secured" with all you have,feeling "comfortable" enough not to call on Him.

But.. is this really all in what we call "life"?
As I think back, Lord, You were the one who gave the answers for all my questions....when I was confused, You shone Your light -for me to understand enough that You have a wonderful plan for my life....when I needed help badly, I held on to Your promises -You never failed providing solutions....when my heart was thrashed with the great "winds" and "storms" of life -You touched my heart and there was peace....when I felt I was on the verge of life and death -You came to comfort and gave me hope.

Oh, Lord, now I see -...how weak, wicked, and forgetful I am;and I can't even dare show my face upon You.But You still give me a chance,a chance for me to witness Your mercy and Your incomparable grace....I now calm my heart to hear Your gentle voice.

© 2010 Erickson Ibana

A Lesson in Love

I hope this inspirational poem about a lesson in love would lift you up today!

When my life seems turned upside down,and no one loves me but You.It would be so easy to quit right there,but I know You don't want me to.

Though daily trials may be hard,help me Lord, to see.Remind me again that whatever comes,You will take care of me.

So I won't fret, but will live in joy,no matter what comes my way.Ever knowing that You're in control,each and every day.

Help me be patient, until you're through,do with my life what You will.I know You'll give me the strength I need,up each and every hill.

Then later on and looking back,when someone else feels this way.I can take them by the hand,and to them gently say.

Don't be discouraged, He hasn't forgotten.He knows just what you feel.Put your hand in His and trust Him now.

I KNOW our God is real!If you make yourself realize this,your troubles you can meet.

All you must do is trust in Him,because He's in the driver's seat! - Dot Wilson

Source: http://www.skywriting.net/inspirational/poems/a_lesson_in_love.html