아버지 ~ Father

Today, I watched the latest episode of Master in the House. Lee Deok-Hwa was their guest master. He is 70 years old and his father passed away 40 years ago. In the last part of the episode, they went to the lake where his father was recovering from illness which he visits every week and to go fishing as well. He started bawling thinking about his past memories with his dad. How his dad will shave and iron his shirt 3 days before he comes to visit, his dad preparing coffee at early dawn and paddling across the lake where he fishes. 

I couldn't help but cry as well because of my father. 2 years ago, I used to have coffee with him in our terrace while talking about so many things. Our plans in the future, what happened to him in the past few days and even our neighbors lives ㅋㅋㅋ 

This pas few days, I've been stressing myself with my visa extension. Like I want to get a sponsor so I can stay longer once my current visa expires. I've been thinking of getting a student visa so I can work longer here. I then realized that my father is not getting younger and we will only be together for few more years, Lord willing. Why would I focus in earning more money when I am losing days to spend with my father. Above the material things, our family is the most important. The days gone focusing on our career or getting rich, we can no longer recover once our love ones pass away. 

So sa ngayon, focus lang sa work. Magtipid para madagdagan ang ipon para kung kailan man ako makauwi eh good to go na ako. Spending more time with you is what matters most. You mean the world to me Tay. I love you to infinity and beyond. 💏❤️𝩍💏

A Living Sacrifice

This past few days were really tough battle for me spiritually. The battle between sin and righteousness. It made me realise how cheap my desires are and though I have been saved by grace through the death of Christ, sin is still lingering in my mortal body. In Pastor John Piper's book "Dangerous Duty of Delight" he said that it's not that the standard of God's holy living is too hard to accomplish or delighting in God is not so delighting. We fail to find our delight in God because console our hearts longing through what the world can offer; scenic vacations, accomplishments of creativity, stunning cinematic production, sexual exploits, sports, luxuries, drugs, etc. But even after experiencing all these...the longing remains. 

Jerry Bridges said in his book The Discipline of Grace, "Our sin is a burden that afflicts us rather than a pleasure that delights us." I couldn't agree more! The "separation" from God that you feel after falling in to sin and the Holy Spirit grieving inside you! Then you will ask yourself, "How can I, who has died to sin still live in it." What a pitiful condition we are in! But we are not hopeless, Christians. We can still pursue holiness through the grace of God. Sin no longer has dominion over us. Sin has been defeated through the death of Christ and His resurrection. 

We Christians were commanded to make our body as a living sacrifice. We can all start by renewing our mind. Body in Romans 12:1 includes our mind. In verse 2 it says "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." A transformed mind is the key to transformed behavior. (From GTY Bible Study of Pastor John McArthur)

So it was tough, really tough. But again, I have experienced the unfailing grace of God. It made me realise how selfish I am. In my 16 months of stay here in Korea, what did I ask  that he didn't grant? I got my visa, nakadalaw ako sa pinas, Tatay is doing well now, I settled all my financial responsibilities and now, I got the job that I want. The Lord is just but good to me and still, I choose the cheap delights of this world that I am in. May the Lord continue to be gracious to me and always remind me that I am already dead to sin and alive in Christ...